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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/37311-8.txt b/37311-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1d8dc02 --- /dev/null +++ b/37311-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,8779 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of John Woolman's Journal, by John Woolman + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: John Woolman's Journal + +Author: John Woolman + +Commentator: Vida Scudder + +Release Date: September 4, 2011 [EBook #37311] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOHN WOOLMAN'S JOURNAL *** + + + + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Michael, Mary Meehan and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + + + EVERYMAN'S LIBRARY + + EDITED BY ERNEST RHYS + + + BIOGRAPHY + + + JOHN WOOLMAN'S JOURNAL + + WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY + VIDA D. SCUDDER + + +THE PUBLISHERS OF _EVERYMAN'S LIBRARY_ WILL BE PLEASED TO SEND FREELY TO +ALL APPLICANTS A LIST OF THE PUBLISHED AND PROJECTED VOLUMES TO BE +COMPRISED UNDER THE FOLLOWING TWELVE HEADINGS: + + + TRAVEL + SCIENCE + FICTION + THEOLOGY & PHILOSOPHY + HISTORY + CLASSICAL + FOR YOUNG PEOPLE + ESSAYS + ORATORY + POETRY & DRAMA + BIOGRAPHY + ROMANCE + + +IN TWO STYLES OF BINDING, CLOTH, FLAT BACK, COLOURED TOP, AND LEATHER, +ROUND CORNERS, GILT TOP. + + LONDON: J. M. DENT & SONS, LTD. + NEW YORK: E. P. DUTTON & CO. + +A GOOD BOOK IS THE PRECIOUS LIFE-BLOOD OF A MASTER SPIRIT EMBALMED & +TREASURED UPON PURPOSE TO A LIFE BEYOND LIFE--MILTON + + + + +THE JOURNAL _with other_ WRITINGS _of_ JOHN WOOLMAN + + + LONDON: PUBLISHED + by J. M. DENT & SONS LTD + AND IN NEW YORK + BY E. P. DUTTON & CO + + _All rights reserved_ + + + + +INTRODUCTION + + +From the days of Charles Lamb to those of Dr. Eliot of Harvard, the +unique charm and worth of the _Journal of John Woolman_ have been +signalled by a thinker of distinction here and there, and the book, if +not widely known, has quietly found its way to many hearts and been +reprinted in sundry editions. The more formal works, however, in which +this gentle and audacious eighteenth-century Quaker-preacher spoke out +his whole careful mind have been for the most part neglected. These +works are sometimes prosy, always indifferent to style in their +unflinching quest for "pure wisdom," often concerned with the dead issue +of negro slavery. Yet even in this last case they have much value as +historic documents; no full knowledge of Woolman's spirit is possible +without them; and not to know that spirit in its entirety is a distinct +loss. + +The present edition, while making no claim to critical completeness, +presents the main accessible body of Woolman's writings. Here is a well +of purest water, "dug deep," to use the Quaker phrase. The mere +limpidity of the water will be joy enough for some: others gazing into +it may feel that they see down to the proverbial Truth--the very origin +of things, the foundations of the moral universe. + +A studious moderation of utterance is the first quality to make itself +felt in Woolman's works. To casual or jaded readers who crave the +word-embroidery, the heightened note, of the romanticist in style, the +result may seem colourless. Here is a lack of adjectives, an entire +absence of emphasis, a systematic habit of under-statement that, in the +climax of a paragraph or the crisis of an emotion, seems at times almost +ludicrous. Yet to the reader of severer taste, this very absence of +emphasis, so quaintly sober, so sensitive in its unfaltering reticence, +becomes the choicest grace of Woolman's style. As is the style, so is +the man. Woolman "studied to be quiet," and his steady self-discipline +was rewarded by a scrupulous yet instinctive control over the finest +shades of verity in speech and life. In the youthful trouble of deep +religious feeling, when he "went to meetings," as he expressively tell +us, "in an awful frame of mind," he spoke a few words one day, under "a +strong exercise of spirit." "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 +anything." The mistake was not often repeated; for as he writes in +memorable words: "As I was thus humbled and disciplined under the Cross, +my understanding became more strengthened to distinguish the pure spirit +that inwardly moves upon the heart, and taught me to wait in silence, +sometimes for many weeks together, till I felt that rise which prepares +the creature to stand like a trumpet through which the Lord speaks to +His flock." A fine passage towards the end of the _Journal_ shows that +the danger of speaking without this "pure spirit" was ever present to +him. "Many love to hear eloquent orations, and if there is not a careful +attention 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 they +going from the Gift have kindled; and that in hearers which has gone +from the meek suffering state into the worldly wisdom, may be warmed +with this fire and speak highly of these labours. In this journey, a +labour hath attended my mind that the ministers amongst us may be +preserved in the meek, feeling life of truth." No man could so keenly +analyse the snare of fluency and popularity, who had not spent a life on +guard. The reserve of his writings is a natural consequence. One +searches these pages in vain, often controversial though they be, for a +single point in which the note is forced or emotion escapes control. + +Yet the emotional intensity concealed beneath this equable habit of +soul, is evident from the first line to the last. In the fine phrase of +the Friends after his death, Woolman "underwent many deep baptisms;" how +deep, the _Journal_ reveals. He was a man of impassioned tenderness. +Even as a child he saw "that as the mind is moved by an inward principle +to love God as an invisible, incomprehensible Being, so by the same +principle it is moved to love Him in all his manifestations in the +visible world. That as by his breath the flame of life has kindled in +all sensible creatures, to say that 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." Woolman did +not only say these things, he felt them. He is among the great lovers of +the world. His tenderness for animals was always keen, from the days in +which, as he has told us, he suffered childish remorse from having +killed a robin, to his last voyage, when in the midst of personal +suffering, he noted pityingly the dull and pining appearance of the +"dunghill fowls" on board. "I believe," he writes, "where the love of +God is verily perfected, a care will be felt that we do not lessen that +sweetness of life in the animal creation which the great Creator intends +for them under our government." + +He who so sympathised with the robin and the cock was filled with a +yearning compassion for the sorrows of humanity. Of him as of Shelley it +might well be said, "He was as a nerve o'er which do creep the else +unfelt oppressions of the earth." We read of his appetite failing +through the agitation of his mind over human pain and his relations to +it. In his last illness he broke forth in words that might have been +uttered by S. Catherine of Siena: "O 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-beings separated from +the divine harmony, and it was heavier than I could bear; I was crushed +down under it." All great lovers are great sufferers: Woolman was no +exception to the rule. + +If he knew deep sorrow he knew deep joy also, as all must do who like +him "live under the Cross and simply follow the operations of Truth." +More is unuttered than uttered in the _Journal_, yet through its +silences we may read an inner experience akin to that of Bunyan or +Pascal. Like these great protagonists of the Spirit, he knew a peace +given "not as the world giveth." For peace can be where ease is not. +Decorous son of an unillumined century, John Woolman is of the company +of the Mystics. He is of those led by the Shepherd of Souls beside the +still waters. He has suggested his own secret: "Some glances of real +beauty may be seen in their faces who dwell in true meekness. There is a +harmony in the 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 those who have not felt it; but this white stone and new +name are known rightly only to such as have them." "Pure" is the central +word of the _Journal_, and the beauty of pure contemplative quietude is +the final impression conveyed by this record so full of anguish over the +sorrows of humanity and of unflinching witness against wickedness, borne +at the expense of the crucifixion of the natural man. + + * * * * * + +A chief value of Woolman's works consists in his serene application of +his mystical intuitions to the affairs of this world. He who "dwelt deep +in an inward stillness" studied his age with a penetrating sagacity that +allowed no evasions. The man so carefully on his guard against +extravagance was a reformer who pushed his demands, as some would think, +almost beyond the border of sanity. No temper was ever more opposed to +fanaticism: yet many readers may question whether he escaped the doom of +the fanatic. And the most pertinent reason for a re-issue of his works +at this juncture is, that in our own day so many hearts are troubled +like his own. A generation seeking guidance on the path of social duty +will find here a precursor of Ruskin and Tolstoi, a man whose thought, +despite the quaintness of his diction, has a quite extraordinary +modernness, and whose searchings of conscience are none of them +familiar. + +The main contemporary issue that agitated Woolman was of course the +slave-trade, and he was long regarded all but exclusively as a herald of +the anti-slavery movement. But the Fabian Society did well to suggest, +in reprinting one of his tracts, the broader scope of his thinking. It +will be evident from this edition that his horror of chattel slavery was +one incident only in that general attitude toward civilisation which +drew from him the bitter cry: "Under a sense of deep revolt and an +overflowing stream of unrighteousness, my life has often been a life of +mourning." The central evil which he opposed was, in brief, the +exploitation of labour: the ideal which he sought was a society in which +no man should need to profit by the degradation of his fellow-men. For +economic analysis of the modern type one naturally looks in vain; moral +analysis of social relations has, however, rarely been carried farther. +These little essays "On Labour," "On the Right Use of the Lord's Outward +Gifts," "On Loving our Neighbour," these "Considerations on the True +Harmony of Mankind," this "Word of Remembrance and Caution to the Rich," +reveal through their quaint formalities of phrase a searching spirit not +to be outdone to-day. + +Woolman felt "a concern in the spring of pure love, that all who have +plenty of outward substance may example others in the right use of +things, may carefully look into the condition of poor people, and beware +of exacting of them in regard to their wages." He was solicitous, as +many have been since his day, over the perplexities of those who seek to +combine a due care for their own families with consideration for the +wage-earner, "in a fruitful land where the wages bear so small a +proportion to the necessaries of life." "There are few if any," he says +truly, "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 heavy +upon the poor, while they who live in these customs are so entangled in +a multitude of unnecessary concerns that they think but little of the +hardships the poor people go through." To lessen these "concerns," thus +to emancipate the labourer from a part of the crushing burden of +production, became his central thought. "In beholding that unnecessary +toil which many go through in supporting outward greatness, and +procuring delicacies; in beholding how the true calmness of life is +changed into hurry, and that many, by eagerly pursuing outward treasure, +are in danger of withering as to the inward state of the mind; in +meditating on the works of this spirit, and the desolations it makes +among the professors of Christianity, I may thankfully acknowledge that +I often feel pure love beget longings in my mind for the exaltation of +the peaceable Kingdom of Christ, and an engagement to labour according +to the Gift bestowed upon me for promoting an humble, plain, temperate +way of living." + +The Simple Life is then Woolman's plea, and the necessity for social +sacrifice the burden of his teaching. This plea he presents with no +vagueness or Wagnerian sentimentality, but with an alarming precision of +outline. + +No man ever described better the insensible growth of worldly convention +into that custom which "lies upon us with a weight heavy as frost and +deep almost as life." Noting the gradual lapse of the Friends from their +earlier standards of unworldliness, he says: "These things, though done +in calmness without any show of disorder, do yet deprave the mind in +like manner and with as great certainty as prevailing cold congeals +water." And again, "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, till a departure from +the simplicity that is in Christ becomes as distinguishable as light +from darkness to such who are crucified to the world." So the +generations as they pass slip further and further from "pure wisdom," +for "the customs of their parents, and their neighbours, working upon +their minds, and they from thence conceiving 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." Woolman is too +wise to feel resentment against those so hardened; rather he says, +"Compassion hath filled my heart toward my fellow-creatures involved in +customs, grown up in the wisdom of this world, which is foolishness with +God." + +To his own spirit, we may well apply the description in the little essay +on "Merchandising," of the growing sensitiveness among the faithful +friends of Christ, who "inwardly breathe that His Kingdom may come on +earth" and "learn to be very attentive to the means He may appoint for +promoting pure righteousness." His ideal is "that state in which Christ +is the Light of our life," so that "our labours stand in the true +harmony of society." "In this state," he writes, "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." When we consider the deepening +desire in our own day to lessen for the next generation that intolerable +burden of social compunction which rests upon ourselves, may we perhaps +dare to hope that this blessed "state," in which John Woolman himself +constantly abode, is becoming common? + +The definite issues suggested in these pages are often surprisingly +modern. Now the fine old Quaker is perturbed over the question of +tainted money: "Have the gifts and possessions received by me from +others been conveyed in a way free from all unrighteousness so far as I +have seen?" Now he notes the evils of over-work: "I have observed that +too much labour not only makes the understanding dull, but so intrudes +upon the harmony of the body that, after ceasing from our toil, we have +another to pass through before we can enjoy the sweetness of rest," and +proceeds to plead with energy for mercy and moderation in the standard +of toil exacted from the poor. "The condition of many who dwell in +cities," had "affected him with brotherly sympathy." Again we find him +touching on the problem of dangerous trades, or analysing with the +puzzle of the pioneer the ancient fallacy that the production of +luxuries relieves economic distress--a fallacy to which he gives in +quaint phrase a sound refutal. In the fifth chapter of the "Word of +Remembrance," the interested reader will find a remarkable and very +beautiful prophecy of the central principle of the settlement movement. +And so we might go on. + +In the twelfth century Woolman's solution would probably have been found +in withdrawal from the evil world to the purity of desert or convent. +Not so in the eighteenth. He remained among his brethren, bearing on his +heart the burden of the common guilt: he was one of the first people to +perceive that the moral sense must control not only our obvious but also +our hidden relations with our fellows. And his experience may be said to +mark the exact point where the individualism of the Puritan age broke +down, unable to stand the strain of the growing sense of social +solidarity. The intense but often naïvely self-centred conception of the +religious life common to a Bunyan and an Edwardes had proved inadequate, +and a new demand for an extension of Christianity to the remotest +reaches of practical life, till human society be transformed in its +depth and its breadth by a supernatural power, was consciously born. + +Yet if Woolman's problem be social, his solution is individualistic. It +is found in a resolute endeavour to clear his own life of any dependence +on evil. Among the many experiments on the same lines, none more +thorough-going is recorded; he pushed consistency to a farther point +than Tolstoi or Thoreau. It is the story of this experiment that he +tells us in the _Journal_, with a rare sincerity. See him as a lad, +starting out peaceably at his trade of tailor, easily reaching +commercial success--for Woolman possessed practical ability,--but +"perceiving merchandise to be attended with much cumber," and deciding +accordingly not to develop his business. Watch from this time the +interaction of two co-operating forces, a craving for personal purity, +and a horror of profiting by human pain,--and note that while the first +impulse never waned, the second became more and more constraining. The +record of his various "concerns" is delightfully human and appealing. He +hated to be morally fussy, and the necessity of violating good breeding +at the call of conscience caused him acute distress, for he had an +ingrained instinct of good manners. Yet though "the exercise was heavy," +he bravely took his elders to task on occasion: refused to accept free +hospitality from slave-holders, forcing money on them for his +entertainment; and, what is still harder, laboured with his friends. +"Thou who travels in the work of the ministry, and art made very welcome +by thy friends, it is good for thee to dwell deep that thou mayest feel +and understand the spirits of people.... 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 disqualified by a superficial friendship.... 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." A man, sensitive, humble, and +well-bred as Woolman evidently was, who can write thus, is pretty sure +to know "deep exercises that are mortifying to the creaturely will." +Some of his concerns, as those relating to the payment of taxes and the +entertainment of soldiers, were common to the Friends; others are +apparently inventions of his own. As time went on they increased and +multiplied, all practically springing from the common root, the desire +to avoid the oppression of the poor. Greed and the wish for ease came to +seem a root of all evil. Travelling among the Indians, he felt the +intimate relation of their misfortunes to the hunger of the English race +for luxury and land. The use of dyes harmful to the worker forced him to +wear undyed garments, even though to his meek distress a passing fashion +of white hats made him run the danger of being confounded with the +children of this world. A concern came upon him to go on foot in his +preaching journeys: at first apparently that he might, like his Master, +appear in the form of a servant; later, that he might have no complicity +in the miseries suffered by the little post-boys employed in the +chaises. Nothing is clearer to the reader of the _Journal_ than the +rapid increase of this holy or foolish sensitiveness. Seeking not to +trade with oppressors, he refuses to gratify his palate with sugars +prepared by the slave labour: under inward pressure to visit the West +Indies, he has anxious scruples about taking passage on a ship owned by +the West India Company, but decides that he may do so if he pays a sum +sufficiently larger than that demanded to compensate the labour involved +on another basis than that of slavery. At last--and here the crisis of +his experience draws near--he feels himself inwardly bound to go to +England; and decides that it is his duty to travel in the steerage, +because forsooth the adornments of the cabin have cost vain and +degrading labour. The horrors of a steerage passage in those days are +well known to us from other sources; and among our visions of the +martyrs of Truth we may well preserve the picture of John Woolman, his +patient Quaker face upturned at midnight through the hatch, panting for +a breath of air. Through the studied quiet of the narrative, the +shrinking of the flesh can plainly be felt. The whole story at this +point palpitates with a solemn pain and an exceeding peace. As usual, +the sufferings of others form the larger part of his pain: he is wracked +with sympathy for the sailors, and moved to a grieved indignant study of +their temptations and afflictions which is good reading still to-day. +Arrived in England, his experience deepens. As usual, he writes without +emphasis: but his distress and tenderness are in every line. In a +passage that reads as if penned by Engels or Rowntree, he makes careful +pitying note of the scale of wages and cost of living, and cries out +sharply, "Oh, may the wealthy consider the poor! May those who have +plenty lay these things to heart!" We perceive that he is realising with +increasing perplexity the extraordinary intricacy with which "the spirit +of oppression" is entwined with the most innocent and necessary +pursuits. "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' so to direct us in our outward employments +that pure universal love may shine forth in our proceedings." In +"bowedness of spirit" he proceeds northward, and it is evident that the +body is growing weaker as he makes his silent laborious way on foot, +bearing from town to town the message of his Lord. He is offered to +drink when thirsty, in silver vessels, and declines, "telling his case +with weeping." Disgusted, "being but weakly," with "the scent arising +from that filth which more or less infects the air of all closely +settled towns," he feels distress both in body and mind with that which +is impure, and a longing "that people might come in to cleanness of +spirit, cleanness of person, and cleanness about their houses and +garments:" noting at the same time, with his accustomed sagacity, that +"some who are great carry delicacy to a great height themselves, and yet +real cleanliness is not generally promoted." So continues his travail of +soul, recorded in these pathetic and illumined pages, and before long +the fatal disorder, small-pox, seizes upon him. He dies among strangers +after lying patiently through his illness in the spirit of prayer, still +saying characteristically to the young apothecary Friend with whom he +had "found a freedom to confer," "that if anything should be proposed as +to medicine that did not come through defiled channels or oppressive +hands, he should be willing to consider and take it so far as he found +freedom." Almost his last words, when already he could hardly be +understood, are charged with his steady social compunction. + +Dear John Woolman! Pure and high spirit, incapable of evasion, +noteworthy no less for restraint and gentleness than for the resolute +determination to translate the undimmed vision of the Perfect Right into +terms of our daily existence! Whither would his "concerns" have carried +him, had not the Angel of Small-Pox ended his wistful and unrelenting +quest? He died in 1772, having lived his life before the industrial +revolution, in days which we are wont to envy as simpler and less beset +by social problems than our own. Certainly they were days in which the +network of human relations was far less intricate than now. Yet the +process in which he was engaged reached out to limits beyond our power +to scan, and his experience is in one point of view an heroic _reductio +ad absurdum_. No more instructive attempt was ever made to attain +personal purity while neither withdrawing from the world nor +transforming it. To-day the number is on the increase of persons who +suffer under the sense of social guilt. All who know such suffering and +are inclined to think the conversion of individuals adequate as an +ultimate remedy, will do well to ponder these pages. For the conclusion +is forced on us that Woolman was in an _impasse_: and while we love and +reverence the heavenly sturdiness of soul possessed by this +eighteenth-century saint, we must recognise with amusement touched by +tenderness the hopelessness of his efforts to attain personal purity, +the ridiculous extremes of isolation into which such a conscientious +effort, if logically carried out, would lead us. The definite inference +from Woolman's life and thought will be for most modern people the +conviction of the hopelessness of the attempt to achieve, by individual +means and private effort, a satisfying social righteousness in an +unchanged world. + +After all, Woolman's trouble and sorrow and tumult of spirit, so +suggestive, so helpful to modern souls, were transitory. At the heart of +his "endless agitation" subsisted a "central peace." His was the grace +to know that "deep humility is a strong bulwark," and to "look less at +the effects of the labour than at the pure motion and reality of the +concern." The gentleness with which he delivered his fiery message was +more than a manner due to Quaker training, or even than a result of +resolute self-discipline: it was the index of an inward stillness in +which his soul dwelt undisturbed. Let us hope that the days may come +when the "concern" about profiting by the painful or degrading labour of +others will have an interest as exclusively historic as the "concern" +about holding slaves has already attained. Tremulously it may be, yet +soberly and joyously, many clear-minded and practical people are +beginning to hope for such a day. When it comes, the immediate message +of Woolman will be less cogent, but he will still continue to be read by +those who care for the revelations of a beautiful soul. These pages +offer more than light on the path of social duty; they offer fellowship +with a spirit that "dwelt deep," and attained an abiding loveliness +because responsive through all turmoil of spirit and all outward +suffering, to the "gentle movings of Uncreated Purity." "That purity of +life," wrote he, "which proceeds from faithfulness in following the +Spirit of Truth, 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 disordereth and confuseth the affairs of +society." Such a "place of retirement for the Children of the Light," +this book affords. + +VIDA D. SCUDDER. + + + + +BIBLIOGRAPHY + + +Some Considerations on the Keeping of Negroes, recommended to the +Professors of Christianity of every Denomination, Part I., 1754; Part +II., 1762; many later issues of both parts; Considerations on Pure +Wisdom and Human Policy, on Labour, Schools, and the Right Use of the +Lord's Outward Gifts, 1768, and numerous later reprints; Considerations +on the True Harmony of Mankind, and how it is to be Maintained, 1770, +and later reprints; an Epistle to the Quarterly and Monthly Meetings of +Friends, 1772; Remarks on Sundry Subjects, 1773, and later reprints; +Serious Considerations on Various Subjects of Importance (containing the +four above works, and some expressions of John Woolman in his last +illness), 1773; A First Book for Children, 1774 (?); A Journal of the +Life, Gospel, Labours, and Christian Experiences of John Woolman, 1774, +and many later editions; with Introduction by John Greenleaf Whittier, +1871; with Introduction by A. Smellie, and Appreciation by J. G. +Whittier (Books of the Heart), 1898; new century edition, with +bibliography, etc., 1900; with foreword by Rev. R. J. Campbell, 1903; A +Word of Remembrance and Caution to the Rich, 1793; later editions, +published by Fabian Society, 1898, 1908. + +LETTERS: Edited by J. Kendall (Letters on Religious Subjects, vol. ii.), +1820; by J. and I. Comly (_Friends' Miscellany_, vol. i.), 1834; in +_Journal_, and in _Friends' Review_, vols. v.-xxviii. + +WORKS: 1774; 5th edition, 1818. + +LIFE: Saint John Woolman (_Eclectic Review_), 1861; David Duncan, +paper read at Manchester Friends' Institute, 1871; Dora Greenwell, +1871; W. Garrett Horder, A Quaker Saint (_The Young Man_), 1874; +reprinted in Quaker Worthies, 1896; T. Green, 1885, with Introduction by +H. C. G. Moule, 1897; Sketch of the Life of John Woolman (Booklet +Series, No. 6), 1896; in Present Day Papers, vol. iii., 1900; a poem by +Bernard Barton, "A Tribute to the Memory of John Woolman," appeared in +vol. iii. of _The Friend_, and references to Woolman are found in Lamb, +and in H. Crabb Robinson's Diary. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + ADVERTISEMENT TO THE READER 3 + + THE TESTIMONY OF FRIENDS IN YORKSHIRE 5 + + A TESTIMONY OF THE MONTHLY-MEETING OF FRIENDS 9 + + A JOURNAL OF THE LIFE AND TRAVELS OF JOHN WOOLMAN 17 + + THE LAST EPISTLE AND OTHER WRITINGS 159 + + CONSIDERATIONS ON THE TRUE HARMONY OF MANKIND 177 + + AN EPISTLE TO THE QUARTERLY AND MONTHLY-MEETINGS OF + FRIENDS 203 + + REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS 219 + + SOME EXPRESSIONS OF JOHN WOOLMAN IN HIS LAST ILLNESS 245 + + + + +THE JOURNAL + + + + +ADVERTISEMENT TO THE READER + + +The manuscript JOURNAL of our late Friend JOHN WOOLMAN, was ended in +_England_; where he also finished all his Labours. It appears, by a +Letter which he sent, in his last Illness, to a Friend in _London_, that +he did not intend the whole should be printed, and that he desired the +said Friend to revise what he had written in this Nation, and leave out +such Parts as he should think proper. It was, notwithstanding, sent +entire, without any Alteration, to _America_; where it was soon after +printed, together with several Tracts which had been published in his +Life-time. But, as some Passages in the Journal contain Observations +which appear to have been intended as private Memorandums only, and +others relate to Circumstances which happened in his native Country, not +expedient to be preserved on Record in this Nation, it is apprehended +that the following ABRIDGEMENT of it will be acceptable to Friends, and +may be of general Service; and, as many weighty Arguments and pertinent +Advices, relative to Slavery and the Oppression of the Negroes in the +Plantations, are contained in the Journal, it was therefore apprehended +that two small Tracts on that Subject might be omitted in this +Abridgement. + + + + +THE TESTIMONY OF FRIENDS IN YORKSHIRE + +_At their Quarterly-meeting held at York, the 24th 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 7th 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 in full Concurrence and near Sympathy +with his Friends and Brethren at home, as appeared by Certificates 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_ the beginning of the last +Yearly-meeting, and, after attending that Meeting, travelled northward, +visiting the Quarterly-meetings of _Hertfordshire_, _Buckinghamshire_, +_Northamptonshire_, _Oxfordshire_, and _Worcestershire_, and divers +particular Meetings in his Way. + +He visited many Meetings on the West Side of this County; also some in +_Lancashire_ and _Westmorland_; from whence he came to our +Quarterly-meeting in the last ninth Month; and though much out of +Health, yet was enabled to attend all the Sittings of that Meeting +except the last. + +His Disorder, then, which proved the Small-pox, increased speedily upon +him, and was very afflicting; under which he was supported in much +Meekness, 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 he +broke forth thus: + +"O 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, and 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, 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 shewed to us in the +most affecting Example of thy Son, and 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 in Print. + +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 Baptisms, he became thereby sanctified and fitted for +the Lord's Work, and was truly serviceable in his Church: 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 toward the City +of God: Skilful in dividing the Word, he was furnished by Him, in whom +are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom 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 Circumspection and +Attention to the Guidance of divine Wisdom, which rendered his whole +Conversation uniformly edifying. + +He was fully perswaded that as the Life of Christ comes to reign in the +Earth, all Abuse and unnecessary Oppression, both of the human and brute +Creation, will come to an End; but, under the Sense of a deep Revolt and +overflowing Stream of Unrighteousness, his Life has been 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 Account, we understand he hath not only written +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 his 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 miserable 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 before 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 we may, as way may open, +represent their Sufferings, in an Individual, if not a Society Capacity, +to those in Authority. + +Deeply sensible that the Desire to gratify People's Inclinations in +Luxury and Superfluities is the principal Ground of Oppression, and the +Occasion of many unnecessary 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 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 Standard 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 confuseth the Affairs of +Society, and where we may have a Testimony of our Innocence 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 infinite Wisdom, he hath greatly stripped the Church, by removing +of late divers faithful Ministers and Elders, he may be pleased to send +forth many more faithful Labourers into his Harvest. + +_Signed in, by Order, and on Behalf of, said Meeting_: + + THOMAS BENNETT, + JOHN STORR, + JOSEPH EGLIN, + THOMAS PERKINSON, + JOSEPH WRIGHT, + SAMUEL BRISCOE, + JOHN TURNER, + JOSHUA ROBINSON, + THOMAS PRIESTMAN, and + divers other Friends. + + + + +A TESTIMONY OF THE MONTHLY-MEETING OF FRIENDS + +_Held in_ Burlington, _the first 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 _Burlington_, 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 esteemed a Blessing to him, even in his young Years, tending to +preserve him from the Infection of wicked Children; but, through the +Workings of the Enemy, and 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 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 evident by his +Visits to them; whom he frequently relieved 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 suffering 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 Almighty +with a degree of Confidence, for his Interposition and Relief; being +particularly careful, as to himself, 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, 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 Pollutions, but those +also which, appearing in a more refined Dress, are not sufficiently +guarded against by some well-disposed People. In the latter Part of his +Life he was remarkable 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 believed himself called unto, and was favoured +with Peace therein, although it carried the Appearance of great +Austerity 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 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 +were truly great, recommending to Parents and those who have the Charge +of them, to chuse conscientious and pious Tutors, saying, "It is a +lovely Sight to behold innocent Children," and that "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 others, especially the Youth, not to be discouraged +at the Difficulties which occur, but 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 private Way in that Plainness which Truth dictates, +shewing great Tenderness and _Christian_ Forbearance. He was a constant +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 Concurrence of the +Monthly-meeting to which he belonged, and, we have Reason to believe, +had good Service therein, generally 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 +Observations and Reflections. "As looking over the Minutes, made by +Persons 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 +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 Meeting that he 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 Meeting in that City. During his short Visit to Friends in that +Kingdom, we are informed that his Services were acceptable and edifying. +In his last Illness he uttered many lively and comfortable Expressions, +being "perfectly resigned, 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 Friend, _Thomas Priestman_, he died +of the Small-pox, on the seventh Day of the tenth Month, 1772, and was +buried in Friends Burying-ground in that City, on the ninth of the same, +after a large and solid Meeting held on the Occasion at their great +Meeting-house, aged near fifty-two Years; a Minister upwards of +thirty Years, during which Time he belonged to _Mount-Holly_ +Particular-meeting, 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 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_. + + + + +A JOURNAL OF THE LIFE, GOSPEL-LABOURS, AND CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCES, OF +THAT FAITHFUL MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST, + +JOHN WOOLMAN; + +Late of MOUNT-HOLLY, in the Province of NEW-JERSEY. + +ISAIAH xxxii. 17. + + "The Work of Righteousness shall be Peace; and the Effect of + Righteousness, Quietness and Assurance for ever." + + LONDON: + Printed and sold by JAMES PHILLIPS, in + George-Yard, Lombard-Street. + + M.DCC.LXXV. + + + + +A JOURNAL OF THE LIFE AND TRAVELS OF JOHN WOOLMAN, IN THE SERVICE OF THE +GOSPEL + + +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_--_And his Considerations, while young, on the keeping of + 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 22d Chapter of the _Revelations_: "He shewed me a pure River of +Water of Life, clear as Chrystal, proceeding out of the Throne of God +and of the Lamb, _etc._" 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 that 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, People 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 Firmness, 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 expressed 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, as having, in a sportive Way, killed an innocent Creature while +she was careful for her Young: I beheld her lying dead, and thought +these 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-proverb 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 Principle in the human +Mind, which incites to exercise Goodness towards every living Creature; +and this being singly attended to, People become tender hearted and +sympathising; 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 +Wickedness, I felt Remorse in my Mind, and, getting home, I retired 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 prophane Language, or +scandalous Conduct, still I perceived a Plant in me which produced much +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 Backslidings 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 was more +and more alienated from the Truth, and I hastened toward Destruction. +While I meditate on the Gulph towards which I travelled, and reflect on +my youthful Disobedience, for these Things I weep, mine Eyes run down +with Water. + +Advancing in Age, the Number of my Acquaintances increased, and thereby +my Way grew more difficult; though I had found Comfort in reading the +holy Scriptures, and thinking on heavenly Things, I was now estranged +therefrom: I knew I was going from the Flock of Christ, and had no +Resolution to return; hence serious Reflections were uneasy to me, and +youthful Vanities and Diversions my greatest Pleasure. Running in this +Road I found many like myself; and we associated in that which is the +reverse of 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 was +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 Contrition; and in the multitude of his Mercies I found inward +Relief, and felt a close Engagement, that, if he was pleased to restore +my Health, I might walk humbly before him. + +After my Recovery, this Exercise remained with me a considerable Time; +but, by Degrees, giving Way to youthful Vanities, they gained Strength, +and, getting with wanton young People, I lost Ground. The Lord had been +very gracious, and spoke 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. I was not so hardy as to commit Things scandalous; +but to exceed in Vanity, and promote Mirth, was my chief Study. Still I +retained a Love 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 once, having spent a Part of +the Day in Wantonness, as I went to Bed at Night, there lay in a Window, +near my Bed, a Bible, which I opened, and first cast my Eye on this +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 Conscience; +which I soon cast off again. + +Thus Time passed on: My Heart was replenished with Mirth and Wantonness, +and 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 again, Sorrow and Confusion took hold of me. 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 remember 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 Desarts and lonely +Places, and there, with Tears, did confess my Sins to God, and humbly +craved Help of him. And I may say with Reverence, he was near to me in +my Troubles, and in those Times of Humiliation 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 Instructions 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. + +I kept steadily to Meetings; spent First-day Afternoons chiefly in +reading the Scriptures and other good Books; and was early convinced in +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 was moved, by an inward Principle, to love +God as an invisible incomprehensible Being, by the same Principle it was +moved to love him in all his Manifestations in the visible World.--That, +as by his Breath the Flame of Life was kindled in all animal sensible +Creatures, to say we love God, and, at the same Time exercise Cruelty +toward the least Creature, 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 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 it, nor any Means to convey to another a clear Idea of it. I looked +on 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 increased in me: This will be understood by such as +have trodden 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 +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 shew forth that inward Life to +such as have not felt it: But this white Stone and new Name is known +rightly to such only as have it. + +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 +withdrew 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-keeping 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 Prospect of being much in +the Way of Company, I felt frequent and fervent Cries in my Heart to +God, the Father of Mercies, that he would preserve me from all +Corruption; that in this more publick 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 +employed 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 after my Settlement here I was visited by +several young People, my former Acquaintance, who knew not but Vanities +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 Difficulties, and had fresh Occasion to bewail the +Follies of Time past, in contracting a Familiarity with libertine +People; 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_, +Servants, from on-board a Vessel, and brought them to _Mount-Holly_ to +sell; one of which 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, 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 expecting me as one of +their Company; and I began to be known to some whose Conversation was +helpful to me: And now, 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 Compassion for the Youth, who remained +entangled in Snares, like those which had entangled me from one Time to +another: 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 that 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 thankful 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: +And, 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 that rise which prepares the +Creature. + +From an inward purifying, and stedfast abiding under it, springs a +lively operative Desire for the Good of others: All the Faithful are not +called to the public Ministry; 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 +Conditions of others. + +This Truth was clearly fixed in my Mind; and I was 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 worldly +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 Support; 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 Business no farther, than as Truth opened my Way therein. + +About the Time called _Christmas_, I observed many People from the +Country, and Dwellers in Town, who, resorting to Public-Houses, spent +their Time in drinking and vain 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 incumbent 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 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 Company, I went to him, and told him, I wanted to speak +with him; so we went aside, and there, in the Fear of the Almighty, I +expressed to him what rested on my Mind; which he took kindly, and +afterward shewed 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 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; but, at the executing 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 have been excused from it, as a Thing +against my Conscience; for such it was. And, 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 to his Wife, he had accepted of her. + + +CHAPTER II + + _His first Journey, on a religious Visit, into_ East-Jersey, _in + Company with_ ABRAHAM FARRINGTON--_His Thoughts on merchandizing, + and his learning a Trade_--_His second Journey, with_ ISAAC ANDREWS, + _into_ Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, _and_ North Carolina--_His + third Journey, with_ PETER ANDREWS, _through Part of_ West _and_ + East-Jersey--_Some Account of his Sister_ ELIZABETH, _and her + Death_--_His fourth Journey, with_ PETER ANDREWS, _through_ New-York + _and_ Long-Island, _to_ New-England--_And his 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 Province, and having no Companion, +he proposed to me to go with him; and, after a Conference with some +elderly Friends, I agreed to go: We set out the fifth Day of the ninth +Month, in the Year 1743; 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 many People came, amongst +whom were several Members of the Assembly, they being in Town on 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 +_Woodbridge_, _Raway_, and _Plainfield_; and had six or seven Meetings +in Places where Meetings of Friends 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; and, when I spake, it was with much Care, that I might +speak only what Truth opened: 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 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, 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; as believing the Business +proposed would be attended with more outward Care than 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 Taylor, 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 Employer, and +we soon agreed on Terms; and then, when I had Leisure from the Affairs +of Merchandize, I worked with his Man. I believed the Hand of Providence +pointed out this Business for me; and was taught to be content 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 deep 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 Neighbours; and, soon after this, he left +shop-keeping, and we parted. I then wrought at my Trade, as a Taylor; +carefully 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_; and, being thoughtful about a Companion, I expressed it to +my beloved Friend, ISAAC ANDREWS, who then told me that he had Drawings +to the same Places; also to go through _Maryland_, _Virginia_, and +_Carolina_. After considerable Time past, 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 twelfth 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 together in his Service. Then we crossed the River +_Susquehannah_, and had several Meetings in a new Settlement, called the +_Red-Lands_; the oldest of which, as I was informed, did not exceed ten +Years. It is the poorer Sort of People that commonly begin to improve +remote Desarts: 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 sympathise with them in +their Hardships in the Wilderness; 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 enlarged 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 _Monoquacy_, _Fairfax_, _Hopewell_, and _Shanando_, and +had Meetings; some of which were comfortable and edifying. From +_Shanando_ 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 the next +Day to part with him; and did so. In two Days after, we reached to our +Friend _John Cheagle's_, in _Virginia_; so we took the Meetings in our +Way through _Virginia_; were, in some Degree, baptized into a feeling +Sense of the Conditions of the People; and our Exercise 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 Encouragement and the +Refreshment of the sincere-hearted. We 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. So we turned again to _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 journeying 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 _Patowmac_, 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 honestly as Way +opened, in the Love of Truth: And thence taking sundry Meetings in our +Way, we passed homeward; where, through the Favour of divine Providence +we reached the sixteenth Day of the sixth Month, in the Year 1746; and I +may say that, through the Assistance of the Holy Spirit, 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 ate, drank, and lodged at 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 of the Burthen, and lived frugally, so +that their Servants 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; this +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, was frequently the Subject of my +serious Thoughts: And I saw in these southern Provinces so many Vices +and Corruptions, increased by this Trade and this Way of Life, that it +appeared to me as a Gloom over the Land; and though now many willingly +run into it, yet, in future, the Consequence will be grievous to +Posterity: I express it as it hath appeared to me, not at once nor +twice, but as a Matter fixed on my Mind. + +Soon after my Return Home, I felt an increasing Concern for Friends on +our Sea-coast; and, on the eighth 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, +we set forward, and visited Meetings generally about _Salem_, _Cape +May_, _Great_ and _Little Egg-Harbour_; and had Meetings at _Barnagat_, +_Mannahocking_, and _Mane-Squan_, and so to the Yearly-meeting at +_Shrewsbury_. 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 with our dear Friends +MICHAEL LIGHTFOOT and ABRAHAM FARRINGTON, who had good Service there. + +The Winter following my eldest Sister, ELIZABETH WOOLMAN, jun. died of +the Small-pox, aged thirty-one Years. She was, from her Youth, of a +thoughtful Disposition; and very compassionate to her Acquaintance 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 strengthened to live a self-denying +exemplary Life, giving herself much to Reading and Meditation. + +The following Letter may shew, in some Degree, her Disposition. + + HADDONFIELD, _1st Day, 11th Month_, 1743. + + Beloved Brother, JOHN WOOLMAN,--In that Love which desires the + Welfare of all Men, I write unto thee: I received thine, dated + second Day of the tenth Month last, with which I was comforted. My + Spirit is bowed with Thankfulness that I should be remembered, who + am unworthy; but the Lord is full of Mercy, and his Goodness is + extended to the meanest of his Creation; therefore, in his infinite + Love, he hath pitied, and spared, and shewed 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, + ELIZ. WOOLMAN, jun. + +In the fore Part of her Illness she was in great Sadness and Dejection +of Mind, of which she told one of her intimate Friends, and said, When I +was a young Girl I was wanton and airy, but I thought I had thoroughly +repented of it; and added, I have of late had great Satisfaction in +Meetings. Though she was thus disconsolate, still she retained a Hope, +which was as an Anchor to her: And sometime 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 dangerous, 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 accordingly 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 as a Fountain of +Tears, that I might weep Day and Night, until acquainted with my God. + +II. O 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. O Lord, that I may be acquainted with thy Presence, 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, having obtained Certificates from our +Monthly-meeting, set forward on the sixteenth 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 _England_, JOHN GRIFFITH, JANE +HOSKINS, and ELIZBETH HUDSON, from _Pennsylvania_, and JACOB ANDREWS, +from _Chesterfield_. Several of whom were favoured in their publick +Exercise; 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 Mercies of God we 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 Testimony; but +it was I believe, a good Meeting: At the latter, 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 +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 in 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, 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 stedfast to that inward Convincement, they were made +a Blessing to some of their former Companions; so that, through the +Power of Truth, several were brought into a close Exercise concerning +the eternal Well-being of their Souls. These young People continued for +a Time to frequent their publick Worship; and, besides that, had +Meetings of their own; which Meetings were a while allowed by their +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 as stood firm to their Duty, as it was inwardly manifested, +had many Difficulties to go through. And their Meetings were in a while +dropped; some of them returning to the _Presbyterians_; and others of +them, after a Time, joined our religious Society. I had Conversation +with some of the latter, to my Help and Edification; and believe several +of them are acquainted 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 _Connecticut_, chiefly inhabited by _Presbyterians_, who +were generally civil to us; 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 to _Boston_; and proceeded eastward as far as _Dover_; and 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 near a +Week; and from thence came over to _Dartmouth_: And having finished our +Visit in these Parts, we crossed the _Sound_ from _New-London_ to +_Long-Island_; and, taking some Meetings on the Island, proceeded +homeward; where we reached the thirteenth Day of the seventh Month, in +the Year 1747, having rode about fifteen hundred Miles, and sailed about +one hundred and fifty. + +In this Journey, I may say, in general, we were sometimes in much +Weakness, and laboured under Discouragements; and at other Times, +through the renewed Manifestations 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 Counties on _Delaware_, +and on the eastern Shore of _Maryland_, and having an Opportunity to +join with my well-beloved ancient Friend, JOHN SYKES, we obtained +Certificates, and set off the seventh 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 the +chief of the Meetings on the eastern Shore; and so Home by 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, +appeared to me to be in a declining Condition; yet, I believe, 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 Journies into the + upper Part of_ New-Jersey, _and afterwards into_ + Pennsylvania--_Considerations on keeping Slaves, and his Visits to + the Families of Friends at several Times and Places_--_An Epistle + from the General Meeting_--_His Journey to_ + Long-Island--_Considerations on Trading, and on the Use of + spirituous Liquors and costly Apparel_--_And his 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 agreeable to his +Will; and he was pleased to give me a well-inclined Damsel, SARAH ELLIS; +to whom I was married the eighteenth 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 +shewed him; and he perused the Manuscript, proposed a few Alterations, +and appeared well satisfied that I found a Concern on that Account: And +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 having the +perfect Use of his Understanding, he asked me concerning the Manuscript, +whether 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. + +By his Direction I had wrote his Will in a Time of Health, and that +Night he desired me to read it to him, which I did; and he said it was +agreeable to his Mind. He then made mention of his End, which he +believed was near; and signified, that, though he was sensible of many +Imperfections in the Course of his Life, yet his Experience of the Power +of Truth, and of the Love and Goodness of God from Time to Time, even +till 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 died a few Days before: He then 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 till near the last. + +On the second 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 inward 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, we travelled about two +Weeks, visiting Friends in _Bucks-County_. We laboured in the Love of +the Gospel, 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: And, 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 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: And I told the Man, that I +believed the Practice of continuing Slavery to this People was not +right; and had a Scruple in my Mind against doing Writings 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 Concerns in the +Practice; and I thought he was displeased with me. In this Case I had a +fresh Confirmation, that acting contrary to present outward Interest, +from a Motive of divine Love, and in Regard to Truth and Righteousness, +opens the Way to a Treasure better than Silver, and to a Friendship +exceeding the Friendship of Men. + +The Manuscript before-mentioned having lain 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, I found my Mind drawn to join in a Visit to Friends +Families belonging to _Chesterfield_ Monthly-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 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. And again, 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 acknowledge, 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 Continent; 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 first of the fourth Month, + inclusive, 1755. + + To Friends on the Continent of _America_. + + Dear Friends,--In an humble Sense of divine Goodness, and the + gracious 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 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_. Isa. + xl. 22. + + We (being convinced that the gracious Design of the Almighty in + sending his Son into the World, was to repair 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." _Heb._ xiii. 5. And as we, through + the gracious Dealings of the Lord our God, have had Experience of + that Work which is carried on, "not by _earthly_ Might, nor by + Power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts:" _Zech._ iv. 6. + 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 for ever; 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 ourselves 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." _Zech._ ix. 10. to the Completion of those Prophecies + already begun, that "Nation shall not lift up a Sword against + Nation, nor learn War any more." _Isa._ ii. 4. _Micah_ iv. 3. + + 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 sufficiently disintangled from the + surfeiting Cares of this Life, and redeemed from the Love of the + World, that no earthly Possessions nor Enjoyments may bias our + Judgments, 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." _Jer._ 1. + 34. And if, for the farther promoting his most gracious Purposes in + the Earth, he should give us to taste of that bitter Cup which his + faithful Ones have often partaken of; O! that we may be rightly + prepared to receive it. + + And now, dear Friends, with Respect to the Commotions 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 so many as do partake of + it, so many will be straitened and perplexed with it: But they who + are single to the Truth, waiting daily to feel the Life and Virtue + of it in their Hearts, these shall 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 Stalls; yet will _they_ rejoice in the + Lord, and joy in the God of _their_ Salvation." _Hab._ iii. 17, 18. + + 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 reason of the wild Grapes it produced, (_Isa._ v. 5.) remains + unchangeable; And if, for the Chastisement of Wickedness, and the + farther 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 so evidently felt my +own Will set aside, I think it good to mention a few of them.--Tradesmen +and Retailers of Goods, 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 any Necessity to question the +Judgment or Honesty of elderly Men, and more especially of such as have +a fair Reputation. Deep-rooted Customs, though wrong, are not easily +altered; but it is the Duty of every 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, from no other Motives than the Negro's +Good; but Man, as Man, knows not what shall be after him, nor hath +Assurance that his Children will attain to that Perfection in Wisdom and +Goodness necessary rightly to exercise such Power: 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. And, 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 have been 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 directed their Freedom; and then 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 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 Bed side, read it to him; and then told +him, in a friendly Way, that I could not write any Instruments by which +my Fellow-creatures were made Slaves, without bringing Trouble on my own +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 proposed: +We then had a serious Conference on the Subject; 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 +twelfth 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; the next Day, being the first of the Week, I was at the Meeting +in _New-town_; in which we experienced 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 publick and private; +and, at several Places, 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 began; at which were +our Friends JOHN SCARBOROUGH, JANE HOSKINS, and SUSANNA BROWN, from +_Pennsylvania_: The publick 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, 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 set a while 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 Providence, Men are +sometimes fitted for his 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 prophetic 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 disagreeable to my own Inclination. After this I +went homeward, taking _Woodbridge_, and _Plainfield_ in my Way; 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 I was out 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 farther Labour amongst them, I was bowed +in Reverence before him, with fervent Desires that I might find Strength +to resign myself up to his heavenly Will. + +Until this Year, 1756, I continued to retail Goods, besides following my +Trade as a Taylor; about which Time, I grew uneasy on Account of my +Business growing too cumbersome: I had begun with selling Trimmings for +Garments, and from thence 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, I believed Truth did not require me to engage in +much cumbering Affairs: 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 weaken me as a _Christian_. + +The Increase of Business became my Burthen; for, though my natural +Inclination was toward Merchandize, yet I believed Truth required me to +live more free from outward Cumbers: and there was now a Strife in my +Mind between the two; and 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 outward Business; and, as I had Opportunity, +told my Customers of my Intention, that they might consider what Shop to +turn to: And, in a while, wholly laid down Merchandize, following my +Trade, as a Taylor, myself only, having no Apprentice. I also had a +Nursery of Appletrees; in which I employed some of my Time in hoeing, +grafting, 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 expected, not having wherewith to pay, their +Creditors often sue for it at Law. Having often observed Occurrences 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 Custom of wearing too costly +Apparel, led some People into great Inconveniences; and these two Things +appear to be often connected; for, by not attending to that Use of +Things which is consistent with universal Righteousness, there is an +Increase of Labour which extends beyond what our heavenly Father intends +for us: And by great Labour, and often by much Sweating, there is, even +among such as are not Drunkards, a craving of some Liquors to revive the +Spirits; that, partly by the luxurious Drinking of some, and partly by +the Drinking of others (led to it through immoderate Labour), very great +Quantities of Rum are every Year expended in our Colonies; 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 elevated with +Strong-drink, and so indulge their Appetite as to disorder their +Understandings, neglect their Duty as Members in a Family or 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 Connection with Evil, those who +profess to be Disciples of Christ, and are looked upon as Leaders of the +People, should have that Mind in them which was also in Christ, and so +stand separate from every wrong Way, as 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 Bounds to our Desires, and +leads those, who faithfully follow it, to apply all the Gifts of divine +Providence to the Purposes for which they were intended. Did such, as +have the Care of great Estates, attend with Singleness of Heart to this +heavenly Instructor, which so opens and enlarges the Mind, that Men love +their Neighbours as themselves, they would have Wisdom given them to +manage, without finding Occasion to employ some People in the Luxuries +of Life, or to make it necessary for others to labour too hard; but, for +want of steadily regarding this Principle of divine Love, a selfish +Spirit takes Place in the Minds of People, which is attended with +Darkness and manifold Confusion 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 +thyself? 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, mayst 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 Impossibility to advance forward; 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; "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 Operation of the Hand of God upon us, to prepare +our Hearts truly to adore him, and 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 Prospect 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 Parents +love their Children and delight in their Happiness, 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 Ears +opened to Discipline. + +And now that, 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 Conversation proceeding from Men deeply +rooted in an earthly Mind, and can sympathize with others in such +Conflicts, in that much Weakness still attends me. + +I find that to be a Fool as to worldly Wisdom, and commit 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; that when we look at the Way of the Righteous, 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 a holy Emulation, to +advance forward in _Christian_ Firmness. Deep Humility is a strong +Bulwark; and, as we enter into it, we find Safety: The Foolishness of +God is wiser than Man, and the Weakness 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 Journey to_ Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, _and_ + North-Carolina: _Considerations on the State of Friends there; and + the Exercise he was under in travelling among those so generally + concerned in keeping Slaves: With some Observations in Conversation, + at several Times, 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_ + +Feeling an Exercise in Relation to a Visit to the southern Provinces, I +acquainted our Monthly-meeting therewith, and obtained their +Certificate: Expecting 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, +whereupon I had Conversation 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 obtaining a Certificate +suitable to the Occasion, we set off in the fifth Month of the Year +1757; and, coming to _Nottingham_ Week-day Meeting, lodged at JOHN +CHURCHMAN'S; and here I met with our Friend BENJAMIN BUFFINGTON, from +_New-England_, who was returning from a Visit to the southern Provinces. +Thence we crossed the River _Susquehannah_, and lodged at WILLIAM COX'S +in _Maryland_; and, soon after I entered this Province, a deep and +painful Exercise came upon me, which I often had some Feeling of since +my Mind was drawn towards these Parts, and with which I had acquainted +my Brother before 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 Singleness of Heart to the Voice of the true Shepherd, and +be so supported as to remain unmoved at the Faces of Men. + +The Prospect of so weighty a Work 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," Numb. xi. 15. 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 Abasement, 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." Psalm cxxxi. 2. 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, trusting that the Lord +Jesus Christ, as I faithfully attended to him, would be a Counsellor to +me in all Difficulties. + +The seventh 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 +_Potapsco_ Meeting; then crossed _Patuxent_ River, and lodged at a +Public-house. On the ninth breakfasted at a Friend's House; who, +afterward, 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 Mind to be at the Yearly-meeting in _Virginia_; and, in +my travelling on the Road, I often felt a Cry rise from the Center of my +Mind, thus: O Lord, I am a Stranger on the Earth, hide not thy Face from +me. + +On the eleventh Day of the fifth Month, we crossed the Rivers +_Patowmack_ and _Rapahannock_, and lodged at _Port-Royal_; and on the +Way we happening in Company with a Colonel of the Militia, who appeared +to be a thoughtful Man, I took Occasion to remark on the Difference in +general betwixt a People used to labour moderately for their Living, +training 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 Labourers 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, cultivating, and providing for their +Families; but Negroes, labouring to support others who claim them as +their Property, and expecting nothing but Slavery during Life, had not +the like Inducement to be industrious. + +After some farther 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 are great odds, in +regard to us, on what Principle we act; and so the Conversation on that +Subject ended: And I may here add, that another Person, some Time +afterward, mentioned the Wretchedness of the Negroes, 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 Motive of our +purchasing them, that Spirit of Tenderness, being attended 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 unhappy in _Africa_, is far from being an Argument in +our Favour: And I farther said, the present Circumstances of these +Provinces to me appear difficult; that 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 outward Prospects +of Gain to all other Considerations, and do not act conscientiously +toward them as fellow Creatures, I believe that Burthen will grow +heavier and heavier, till Times change in a Way disagreeable to us: At +which 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 thus 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 attended me; and, in an uncommon Distress of +Mind, I cried in secret to the Most High, O Lord, be merciful, I beseech +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; that it was the Design of +Providence they should be Slaves, as a Condition 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: That _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, inhabited +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 its 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." _Gen._ vii. 21. I farther reminded them, how the Prophets +repeatedly declare, "That the Son shall not suffer for the Iniquity of +the Father; but every one be answerable for his own Sins." I was +troubled to perceive the Darkness of their Imaginations; and in some +Pressure of Spirit said, the Love of Ease and Gain is the Motive in +general for keeping Slaves, and Men are wont to take hold of weak +Arguments to support a Cause which is unreasonable; and added, 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 Oppressed, will, +in his own Time, plead their Cause; and happy will it be for such as +walk in Uprightness before him: And thus our Conversation ended. + +On the fourteenth 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 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 _Fort-Creek_, and so to +_Cedar-Creek_ again; at which Place I 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, that it was a Time of +mutual Refreshment from the Presence of the Lord. I lodged at JAMES +STANDLEY'S, Father of WILLIAM STANDLEY, one of the young Men who +suffered Imprisonment at _Winchester_, last Summer, on Account of their +Testimony against Fighting; and I had some satisfactory Conversation +with him concerning it. Hence I went to the _Swamp_ Meeting, and to +_Wayanoke_ Meeting; and then crossed _James-River_, and lodged near +_Burleigh_. From the Time of my entering _Maryland_ I had been much +under Sorrow, which 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 Goodness, looked +upon my Affliction, and in my private Retirement 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 heavy upon me. It +appeared to me, that, through the prevailing of the Spirit of this +World, the Minds of many were brought to an inward Desolation; and, +instead of the Spirit of Meekness, Gentleness, and heavenly Wisdom, +which are the necessary Companions of the true Sheep of Christ, a Spirit +of Fierceness, and the Love of Dominion, too generally prevailed. From +small Beginnings in Errors, great Buildings, by degrees, are raised; and +from one Age to another are more and more strengthened by the general +Concurrence of the People; and, 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_ arise to that 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." _Isaiah_ +lix. 4. Or for the Almighty to call upon the great City of _Jerusalem_, +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." _Jer._ v. 1. 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, deeply bowed my Mind in this +Journey; and, though, to briefly relate how 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 Purpose, 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 Labour on the first +Day of the Week. + +The Correction, ensuing on their Disobedience to Overseers, or +Slothfulness in Business, is often very severe, and sometimes desperate. + +The Men and Women have many Times scarce 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 Luxuries of +Life: These are the People who have made no Agreement to serve us, and +who have not forfeited their Liberty that we know of: These are 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 whom he hath sent, +and are thus acquainted with the 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 Lodging I went to _Burleigh_ Meeting, where I felt my Mind drawn +into a quiet resigned State; and, after 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 Business 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 the 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 Testimony 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 their Alteration; and, +referring to the last-mentioned Query, added, as purchasing any +Merchandize, taken by the Sword, was always allowed 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 admitted as +they had altered it. As some of their Members have heretofore traded in +Negroes, as in other Merchandize, this Query being admitted, will be one +Step farther than they have hitherto gone: And 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 make Way for the +spreading of Truth on the Earth, by Means agreeable to his infinite +Wisdom. But, in Regard 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 Experience 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 selfish 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: Some, amongst them, at +this Time, manifested a Concern in Regard to taking more Care in the +Education of their Negroes. + +On the twenty-ninth 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 Engagement to speak freely and plainly to them +concerning their Slaves; mentioning, how they, as the first Rank in the +Society, whose Conduct in that Case was much noticed 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 Education and +otherwise, they might be instrumental in helping forward a Work so +necessary, and so much neglected amongst them. At the twelfth Hour the +Meeting of Worship began, which was a solid Meeting. + +On the thirtieth 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 communicate a few + Things, as they arise in the Love of Truth. First, 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. Where People let loose + their Minds after the Love of outward 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 + Treasures, 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 round 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 Meekness, feeling + our Spirits subject, and moving only in the gentle peaceable + Wisdom, the inward Reward of Quietness 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 as 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 have 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 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 stedfast + to the Testimony of it, and be prepared for Services in the Church. + + And now, dear Friends and Brethren, as you are improving 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, to + wisely consider the Force of your Examples, and think how much your + Successors may be thereby affected: It is a Help in a Country, yea, + and 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, + are 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 it. To rational Creatures + Bondage is uneasy, and frequently occasions Sourness and Discontent + in them; which affects the Family, and such as 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 is a large Number of Friends in + your Parts, who have no Slaves; and in tender 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 will you be preserved from those Dangers which attend + such as are aiming at outward Ease and Greatness. + + Treasures, though small, attained on a 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 an uneasy Conscience, nor + anxious Thoughts about the Events of Things, hinder the Enjoyment + of it. + + 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 Ways of true + Virtue. "The Work of Righteousness shall be Peace; and the Effect + of Righteousness, Quietness and Assurance for ever." Isa. xxxii. + 17. + + Dwell here, my dear Friends; and then, in remote and solitary + Desarts, 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 + Stronghold in the Day of Trouble, and knoweth them that trust in + him. + + ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY, IN VIRGINIA, + _29th of the 5th Month, 1757_. + +From the Yearly-meeting in _Virginia_, I went to _Carolina_; and, on the +first Day of the sixth Month, was at _Wells_ Monthly-meeting, where the +Spring of the Gospel Ministry was opened, and the Love of Jesus Christ +experienced 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 _Simond's_ 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 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 Understanding, 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 their Meeting expressed a Concern, that had some Time lain +upon him, on Account of Friends so much neglecting their Duty in the +Education of their Slaves; and proposed having Meetings sometimes +appointed for them on a Week-day, to be only attended 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 Understanding, 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 farther Consideration of it referred +to their next Monthly-meeting. The Friend who made this Proposal had +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 had Slaves, told 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 that he saw a Time +coming, when divine Providence would alter the Circumstances of these +People, respecting their Condition 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 to +the Head of _Little-River_, on a First-day, where was a crowded Meeting; +and, I believe, it was, through divine Goodness, 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 Iniquity, which, under a Cover +of Religion, exalts itself against that pure Spirit, which leads in the +Way of Meekness and Self-denial. From thence to _Pineywoods_: This was +the last Meeting I was at in _Carolina_, and was large; and, my Heart +being deeply engaged, I was drawn forth into a fervent Labour amongst +them. + +From hence I went back into _Virginia_, and had a Meeting near JAMES +COWPLAND'S; it was a Time of inward 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 comfortable Season. + +Travelling up and down of late, I have had renewed Evidences, that to be +faithful to the Lord, and content 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 a 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 Manner in which we +may be led may tend to our own Abasement; yet, if we continue in +Patience and Meekness, heavenly Peace is the Reward of our Labours. + +From thence I went to _Curles_ Meeting; which, though small, was +reviving to the Honest-hearted. Thence to _Black-Creek_ and _Caroline_ +Meetings; from whence, accompanied by WILLIAM STANDLEY, +before-mentioned, we rode to _Goose-Creek_, being much through the +Woods, and about one hundred Miles.--We lodged the first Night at a +Publick-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 in plenty; in the mean Time cutting with our Knives a Store against +Night, and then tying them, and gathering some Bushes under an Oak, we +lay down; but, the Musquettoes being plenty, and the Ground damp, I +slept but little: Thus, lying in the Wilderness, and looking at the +Stars, I was led to contemplate on 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 shewed 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 Improvements 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 are distinct from that Uprightness +in which Man was created; as the first Motion to them was evil, so the +Effects have been and are evil. At this Day, it is as necessary for us +constantly to attend on the heavenly Gift, to be qualified to use +rightly the good Things in this 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 gracious Dealing of the Almighty with us, +his Power prevailed 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. Thence I had Meetings at +_John Everit's_ in _Monalen_, and at _Huntingdon_; and I 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 _Monalen_, 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 Waggon 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 said 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, wondered at his Conduct in that Case. The _Mennonist_ replied, +Ever since I lodged by thy Field, I have wanted an Opportunity to speak +with thee: The Matter was; I intended to have 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: +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. + +Hence I was at three Meetings in my Way; and so I went Home, under a +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 + + _The draughting 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_ + +On the ninth Day of the eighth Month, in the Year 1757, at Night, Orders +came to the military Officers in our County (_Burlington_), directing +them to draught the Militia, and prepare a Number of Men to go off as +Soldiers, to the Relief of the _English_ at _Fort-William-Henry_, in +_New-York_ Government: A few Days after which 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 draught 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 +Draught; 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 was 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 profess 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. + +Officers, in great Anxiety, endeavouring to get Troops to answer the +Demands of their Superiors, seeing Men, who are insincere, pretend +Scruple of Conscience in Hopes of being excused from a dangerous +Employment, such are likely to be roughly handled. In this Time of +Commotion some of our young Men left the Parts, and tarried abroad till +it was over; some came, and proposed 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 them 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 +provide 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 draughted, after some Days march, +had Orders to return Home; and those on the second Draught were no more +called upon on that Occasion. + +On the fourth 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: And an Officer and two other Men, all +Inhabitants of our Town, came to my House; and the Officer told me, that +he came 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 unexpected, I made no Answer suddenly; but +sat a Time silent, my Mind being inward: I was fully convinced, 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 believe 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 consistent with my religious Principles; To which +I made no Reply; as believing Silence at that Time best for me. Though +they spake of two, there came only one, who tarried at my House about +two Weeks, and behaved himself civilly; and when the Officer came to pay +me, I told him I could not take Pay for it, having admitted him into my +House in a passive Obedience to Authority. I was on Horseback when he +spake 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 several Days been +disconsolate, occasioned by a Dream; wherein Death, and the Judgments of +the Almighty after Death, were represented to her 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, expressed 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 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 the 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 Youth's 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: And 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 Meeting moved it to their Quarterly-meeting, to have the Minute +reconsidered in the Yearly-meeting, which was made last on that Subject: +And the said Quarterly-meeting appointed a Committee to consider it, and +report to their next; which Committee having met once and adjourned, 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: And, 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 dealing 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 Engagement to speak directly to any +other Matter before the Meeting. Now, when this Case was opened, several +faithful Friends spake weightily thereto, with which I was comforted; +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 manifested; and it is my earnest Desire +that, in this weighty 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 +them; 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 believe 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 Righteousness on the Earth: And, though none did openly +justify the Practice of Slave-keeping in general, yet some appeared +concerned, lest the Meeting should go into such Measures as might give +Uneasiness to many Brethren; alledging, that if Friends patiently +continued under the Exercise, the Lord, in Time to come might open a Way +for the Deliverance of these People: And, I finding an Engagement to +speak, said, "My Mind is often led to consider the Purity of the divine +Being, and the Justice of his Judgments; 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 Understandings, from one +Time to another, concerning our Duty towards this People; and it is not +a Time for Delay. Should we now be sensible of what he requires of us, +and, 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 by terrible Things in Righteousness God may answer us in this +Matter." + +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 effectually struck +at, until a thorough Search was made into the Circumstances of such +Friends as kept Negroes, with respect to the Righteousness of their +Motives in keeping them, that impartial Justice might be administered +throughout. Several Friends expressed their Desire, that a Visit might +be made to such Friends as kept Slaves; and many Friends said, that they +believed Liberty was the Negroes Right: To which, at length, no +Opposition was made publickly. A Minute was made more full on that +Subject than any heretofore; and the Names of several Friends entered, +who were free to join in a Visit to such as kept Slaves. + + +CHAPTER VI + + _His visiting the Quarterly-meetings in_ Chester _County; and + afterwards joining with_ DANIEL STANTON _and_ JOHN SCARBOROUGH _in a + Visit to such as kept Slaves there_--_Some Observations on the + Conduct such should maintain as are concerned to speak in Meetings + for Discipline_--_Several more Visits to such as 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_ + +On the eleventh 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 Increase 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 Opportunity 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 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 eighteenth 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: And, near the Conclusion of the +Meeting for Business, Friends were incited to Constancy in supporting +the Testimony of Truth, and reminded of the Necessity which the +Disciples of Christ are under to attend principally to his Business, as +he is pleased to open it to us: 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 following 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 was large, and sat near eight Hours. +Here I had Occasion to consider, that it was a weighty Thing to speak +much in large Meetings for Business: First, 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 Burthen 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 +far, and adjourning a Meeting of Business is attended with great +Difficulty, it behoves all to be cautious how they detain a Meeting; +especially when they have sat six or seven Hours, and have a great +Distance to ride Home. After this Meeting I rode Home. + +In the Beginning of the twelfth Month of the Year 1758 I joined in +Company with my Friends, JOHN SYKES and DANIEL STANTON, in visiting such +as 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 the other Part of our Time was +mostly employed in visiting such as 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 twenty-fourth Day of the third Month of this Year, I was at our +general Spring-meeting at _Philadelphia_: After which, I again joined +with JOHN CHURCHMAN on a Visit to some more who had Slaves in +_Philadelphia_; and, with Thankfulness to our heavenly Father, I may +say, that divine Love and a true sympathising 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 Engagement 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; So I went, and told him, in private, 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 fourteenth 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-meeting therein, I attended their +Quarterly-meeting, and was out 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 found a near +Fellowship with the Brethren and Sisters, in the manifold Trials +attending their _Christian_ Progress 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 Company of such as were named on the Minutes 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 +Burthen. + +After this, our Friend JOHN CHURCHMAN, coming into 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 along this Continent, I observed in most of them, both +this Year and last, it was recommended to Friends to labour against +buying and keeping Slaves; and in some of them closely treated upon. +This Practice had 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. Now, observing 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 Meeting continued near a Week; and, for several Days, in the fore +Part 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: And, near 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 shew 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: +And I was led to mention the Integrity and Constancy of many Martyrs, +who gave their Lives for the Testimony of Jesus; 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 mutually 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 preserved +amongst us: And that if such, as were, at Times, under Sufferings on +Account of some Scruples of Conscience, kept low and humble, and in +their Conduct in Life manifested 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 contrary +Spirit and Conduct." In which 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 twenty-second Day of the ninth Month, to + the twenty-eighth Day of the same, inclusive, 1759. + + To the Quarterly and Monthly-meetings of Friends belonging to the + said Yearly-meeting. + + "Dearly beloved Friends and Brethren,--In an awful Sense of the + Wisdom and Goodness of 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 agreeable 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 Improvement of a Wilderness, + and made Way for them in the Hearts of the Natives; so that by them + they were comforted in Times of Want and Distress: It was by the + gracious Influences of his holy Spirit, that they were disposed 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 educate their Children in the Fear of the Lord. + + If we carefully consider the peaceable Measures pursued 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 Tranquility and Plenty, and in which the + Glad-tidings of the Gospel of Christ are so freely published, that + we may justly say with the Psalmist, "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, do sufficiently evidence the Truth of that Saying, "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;" and as a proud selfish + Spirit prevails and spreads among a People, so partial Judgment, + Oppression, Discord, Envy, and Confusions, 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." _Jer._ ii. 19. + + The God of our Fathers, who hath bestowed on us many Benefits, + furnished a Table for us in the Wilderness, and made the Desarts + and solitary Places to rejoice; he doth now mercifully call upon us + to serve him more faithfully.--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 + consider the original Cause of the present Troubles; but such as + fear the Lord, and think often upon his Name, 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 Settlement of our Provinces, + the Calamities attending them have fallen chiefly on other Places, + but now of late they have reached to 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 been 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 draughted, 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's Sake is + experienced.--Many Parents were concerned for their Children, and + in that 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 Troubles 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 Tranquility. 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 fore 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 is become our Enemy, if we persist to contend with him who + is omnipotent, our Overthrow 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 Dissolution; 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 an 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 + Corruptions; that, as they advance in Age, they may rightly + understand their true Interest, 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 more grievously entangle + them in that Spirit of Selfishness and Exaltation, which stands in + Opposition to real Peace and Happiness; and renders them 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 them who, + through the Dispensations of divine Providence, are in strait and + painful Circumstances in this Life, and steadily to endeavour to + honour God with our Substance, from a real Sense of the Love of + Christ influencing our Minds thereto, is more likely to bring a + Blessing to our Children, and will afford more Satisfaction to a + _Christian_ favoured with Plenty, than an earnest Desire to collect + much Wealth to leave behind us; for "Here we have no continuing + City;" may we therefore diligently "seek one that is to come, whose + Builder and Maker is God." + + "Finally, Brethren, whatsoever Things are true, whatsoever Things + are just, whatsoever Things are pure, whatsoever Things are lovely, + whatsoever Things are of good Report; if there be any Virtue, if + there be any Praise, think on these Things and do them, and the God + of Peace shall be with you." + + Signed, by Appointment, and on Behalf of our said + Meeting, by seven Friends. + +On the twenty-eighth Day of the eleventh Month, in the Year 1759, I was +at the Quarterly-meeting in _Bucks_ County: This Day being the Meeting +of Ministers and Elders, my Heart was enlarged in the Love of Jesus +Christ; and the Favour of the Most High was extended to us in that and +the ensuing Meeting. + +I had Conversation, at my Lodging, with my beloved Friend, SAMUEL +EASTBURN; who expressed a Concern to join in a Visit to some Friends, in +that County, who had Negroes; and as I had felt a Draught in my Mind to +that Work in the said County, came Home and put Things in Order: On the +eleventh Day of the twelfth Month following, I went over the River; and +on the next Day was at _Buckingham_ Meeting; where, through the +Descendings of heavenly Dew, my Mind was comforted, and drawn into a +near Unity with the Flock of Jesus Christ. + +Entering upon this Visit appeared weighty: And before I left Home my +Mind was often sad; under which Exercise I felt, at Times, the Holy +Spirit, which helps our Infirmities; through which, in private, my +Prayers were, at Times, put up to God, that he would be pleased to purge +me from all Selfishness, that I might be strengthened to discharge my +Duty faithfully, how hard soever to the natural Part. We proceeded on +the Visit in a weighty Frame of Spirit, and went to the Houses of the +most active Members, throughout the Country, who had Negroes; and, +through the Goodness of the Lord, my Mind was preserved in Resignation +in Times of Trial, and, though the Work was hard to Nature, yet through +the Strength of that Love which is stronger than Death, Tenderness of +Heart was often felt amongst us in our Visits, and we parted from +several Families with greater Satisfaction than we expected. + + * * * * * + +We visited JOSEPH WHITE'S Family, he being in _England_; and 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. + + +CHAPTER VII + + _His Visit, in Company with_ SAMUEL EASTBURN, _to_ Long-Island, + Rhode-Island, Boston, _etc. in_ New-England--_Remarks on the + Slave-Trade at_ Newport, _and his Exercise on that Account; 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 seventeenth 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_, +_Rahaway_, and _Plainfield_; and were at their Monthly-meeting of +Ministers and Elders in _Rahaway_. 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 the +chief 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 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 +earnestly 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 4th 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, remembering that Promise, + 'Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord:'--As this, from Day + to Day, has been revived in my Memory, I have considered that his + internal 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 regards the Helpless and + Distressed, and reveals his Love to his Children under Affliction; + they delight in beholding his Benevolence, and feeling divine + Charity moving upon them: Of this I may speak a little; for though, + since I left you, I have often found an engaging Love and Affection + 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 remember there are many Widows and Fatherless, + many who have poor Tutors, many who have evil Examples before them, + and many whose Minds are in Captivity, for whose Sake my Heart is, + at Times, moved with Compassion; so 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 Fellow-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, so that 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 them. + +We had five Meetings in _Narraganset_; and went thence to _Newport_ on +_Rhode-Island_. Our gracious Father preserved us in an humble Dependence +on him through deep Exercises, that were mortifying to the creaturely +Will. In 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 appeared singular from many, +whose Service in Travelling, I believe, is greater than mine; I do not +think hard of them for omitting it; I do not 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 deep Impression 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 _Tanton_, in our Way to _Boston_; +where also we had a Meeting; our Exercise 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 Dependance on that Arm which drew us out; and, +though we had some hard Labour with the Disobedient, laying Things home +and close 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; this we did, as believing the Journey would have +been hard to him and his Horse. + +We visited the Meetings in those Parts, and were measurably 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 were imported from _Africa_ into that Town, and then on +Sale by a Member of our Society. At this Meeting we met with JOHN STORER +from _England_, ELIZABETH 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 _Habakkuk_ as there 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 multiply 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 petitioning; and such +was the Exercise of my Mind, that I had 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 enquired 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 +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; on the last Day +of which, 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 +shewed 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 Account of the great +Number of Slaves which are imported in 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 Legislature; 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 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 farther Notice of it at 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 +as 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 as a Duty; for my Heart yearned +toward the Inhabitants of these Parts; believing 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 +Humility, 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 thus far proceeded, I felt easy to leave the Essay among Friends, +for them to proceed in it as they believed best. And now an Exercise +revived on my Mind in Relation to Lotteries, which were common in those +Parts: I had once 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: And now, on +moving it again, it was opposed 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 Selfishness, which tended to Confusion and Darkness of +Understanding; and that pleading for it in our Meetings, set apart for +the Lord's Work, was not right: And, in the Heat of Zeal, I once made +Reply to what an ancient Friend said, though when I sat down, I saw that +my Words were not enough seasoned with Charity; and, after this, I spake +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 Uneasiness, but was concerned that I might say nothing to +weaken the Cause in which I had laboured; and then, after some close +Exercise and hearty Repentance, for that I had not attended closely to +the safe Guide, I stood up, and reciting the Passage, acquainted +Friends, that, though I durst not go from what I had said as to the +Matter, yet I was uneasy with the Manner of my speaking, as 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 Yearly-meeting being now over, there yet 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 +proposed 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, encouraged me to proceed to clear myself of what lay upon me. +Now I had, near the Beginning of the Yearly-meeting, a private +Conference with this said Elder and his Wife concerning 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 unkind +to be asked to come together, and to be spoke with one in the hearing of +another, 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 only Ministers, Elders, and Overseers, he named some others, who he +desired might be present also: And, as a careful Messenger was wanted +to acquaint 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, +the 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, and opened the Concern I +was under; and so 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 us with the seasoning Virtue of Truth, which +wrought a Tenderness amongst us; and the Subject was mutually handled in +a calm and peaceable Spirit: And, at length, feeling my Mind released +from that Burthen which I had been under, I took my Leave of them, in a +good Degree of Satisfaction; and, by the Tenderness 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, 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 Resignation through these Trials. + +Thou, who sometimes travellest in the Work of the Ministry, 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 mayst 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 disqualified by a superficial +Friendship; and as the Sense thereof hath abased me, and my Cries have +been to the Lord, so 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 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-Town_, _Cushnet_, +_Long-Plain_, _Rochester_, and _Dartmouth_: From thence we sailed for +_Nantucket_, in Company with ANN GAUNT and MERCY REDMAN, and several +other Friends: The Wind being slack, we only reached _Tarpawling-Cove_ +the first Day; where, going on Shore, we found Room in a Publick-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 then, 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 their 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 sensible 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 Friends 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; and, feeling clear as to any +farther Visits, I spent my Time in our Chamber chiefly alone; and, after +some Hours, my Heart being filled with the Spirit of Supplication, my +Prayers and Tears were poured out, before my heavenly Father, for his +Help and Instruction in the manifold Difficulties which attended me in +Life: And, while I was waiting upon the Lord, there came a Messenger +from the Women Friends, who lodged at another House, desiring to confer +with us about appointing a Meeting, which to me appeared weighty, as we +had been at so many before; but, after a short Conference, and advising +with some elderly Friends, a Meeting was appointed, in which the Friend, +who first moved it, and who had been much shut up before, was largely +opened in the Love of the Gospel: And the next Morning, about Break of +Day, going again on board the Vessel, we reached _Falmouth_ on the Main +before Night; where our Horses being brought, we proceeded toward +_Sandwich_ Quarterly-meeting. + +Being two Days in going to _Nantucket_, and having been there once +before, I observed many Shoals in their Bay, which make Sailing more +dangerous, especially in stormy Nights; also, that a great Shoal, which +encloses their Harbour, prevents their going in with Sloops, except when +the Tide is up; waiting without which, for the Rising of the Tide, is +sometimes hazardous in Storms; waiting within, they sometimes miss a +fair Wind. I took Notice, that on that small Island was a great Number +of Inhabitants, and the Soil not very fertile; the Timber so gone, that +for Vessels, Fences, and Firewood, they depend chiefly on the buying +from the Main; the Cost whereof, with most of their other Expences, they +depend principally upon the Whale-fishery to answer. I considered, that +as Towns grew larger, and Lands near navigable Waters more cleared, +Timber and Wood require more Labour to get it: I understood that the +Whales being much hunted, and sometimes wounded and not killed, grew +more shy and difficult to come at: I considered that the Formation of +the Earth, the Seas, the Islands, Bays, and Rivers, the Motions of the +Winds and great Waters, which cause Bars and Shoals in particular +Places, were all the Works of him who is perfect Wisdom and Goodness; +and, as People attend to his heavenly Instruction, and put their Trust +in him, he provides for them in all Parts where he gives them a Being. +And as, in this Visit to these People, I felt a strong Desire for their +firm Establishment on the sure Foundation, besides what was said more +publickly, I was concerned to speak with the Women Friends, in their +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 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 of running great Hazards +to support them in it; encouraging the young Women in their neat decent +Way of attending themselves on the Affairs of the House; shewing, 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 Calmness of Mind, than they have had +who, aspiring to Greatness and outward Shew, have grasped hard for an +Income to support themselves in it: And, as I observed they had few or +no Slaves amongst them, I had to encourage them to be content without +them; making mention of the numerous 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 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 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 inward 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 heavenly Shepherd. The last +Meeting, in which Friends from the several Parts of the Quarter came +together, was a select Meeting; 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 +the fore Part of this Journey, have of late appeared to me as a +Dispensation of Kindness. Appointing Meetings never appeared more +weighty to me; and I was led into a deep Search, whether in all Things +my Mind was resigned to the Will of God; 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 the secret Movings of the heavenly 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, accompanied by our Friend, JOHN CASEY, from +_Newport_, we rode through _Connecticut_ to _Oblong_, visited the +Meetings 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: So we +visited Friends at _New York_ and _Flushing_; and thence to _Rahaway_: +And here, our Roads parting, I took Leave of my beloved Companion, and +true Yoke-mate, SAMUEL EASTBURN; and reached Home on the tenth Day of +the eighth Month, 1760, where I found my Family well: And, for the +Favours and Protection 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. + + +CHAPTER VIII + + _His Visits to_ Pennsylvania, Shrewsbury, _and_ Squan_--His + publishing the second Part of Considerations on keeping + Negroes_--_His visiting the Families of Friends of_ Ancocas _and_ + Mount-Holly _Meetings_--_His Visits to the_ Indians _at_ Wehaloosing + _on the River_ Susquehannah + +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: And, on the tenth 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 come Home, or go on, as +I might then believe best for me; and there, through the springing up of +pure Love, I felt Encouragement, 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, who 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 their First-day-meeting; and had a Meeting at +_Squan_, and another at _Squankum_; and, as Way opened, had Conversation +with some noted Friends concerning their Slaves: And I returned Home in +a thankful Sense of the Goodness of the Lord. + +From the Care I felt growing in me some Years, I wrote Considerations on +keeping Negroes, Part the Second; which was printed 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 Expence, +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 not at their Expence; and such often, receiving +them as a Gift, conceal them: But as they, who make a Purchase, +generally buy that which they have a Mind for, I believe 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 +own 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: +So that, being often weary, I was prepared to sympathize with those +whose Circumstances in Life, as free Men, required constant Labour to +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 as 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: And, 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, as had +great Estates, generally lived in that Humility and Plainness which +belongs to a _Christian_ Life, and laid much easier Rents and Interests +on their Lands and Monies, 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 pure Wisdom, be discontinued. And, 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 agreeable to universal +Righteousness? And then there hath some Degree of Sadness, at Times, +come over me, for that 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 Principle; and in this Circumstance have been +affected with a Sense of my own Wretchedness, and in a mourning +Condition felt earnest Longing for that divine Help, which brings the +Soul into true Liberty; and 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. + +In visiting People of Note in the Society who had Slaves, and labouring +with them in brotherly Love on that Account, I have seen, and the Sight +hath affected me, that a Conformity to some Customs, distinguishable +from pure Wisdom, has entangled many; and the Desire of Gain, to support +these Customs, greatly opposed the Work of Truth: And sometimes, when +the Prospect of the Work before me has been such, that in Bowedness of +Spirit, I have been drawn into retired Places, and besought the Lord +with Tears that he would take me wholly under his Direction, and shew me +the Way in which I ought to walk, it hath revived, with Strength of +Conviction, that, if I would be his faithful Servant, I must, in all +Things, attend to his Wisdom, and be teachable; and so cease from all +Customs contrary thereto, however used amongst religious People. + +As he is the Perfection of Power, of Wisdom, and of Goodness, so, I +believe, he hath provided, that so much Labour shall be necessary for +Men's Support, in this World, as would, being rightly divided, be a +suitable Employment of their Time; and that we cannot go into +Superfluities, or grasp after Wealth in a Way contrary to his Wisdom, +without having Connection with some Degree of Oppression, and with that +Spirit which leads to Self-exaltation and Strife, and which frequently +brings Calamities on Countries, by Parties contending about their +Claims. + +In the eleventh Month of the Year 1762, feeling an Engagement of Mind to +visit some Families in _Mansfield_. I joined my beloved Friend, BENJAMIN +JONES, and we spent a few Days together in that Service. In the second +Month, 1763, I joined in Company with ELIZABETH SMITH and MARY NOBLE on +a Visit to the Families of Friends at _Ancocas_; in both which Visits, +through the baptizing Power of Truth, the sincere Labourers were often +comforted, and the Hearts of Friends opened to receive us. And, in the +fourth Month following, I accompanied some Friends in a Visit to the +Families of Friends in _Mount-Holly_, in which my Mind was often drawn +into an inward Awfulness, wherein strong Desires were raised for the +everlasting Welfare of my Fellow-creatures; and, through the Kindness of +our heavenly Father, our Hearts were, at Times, enlarged, and Friends +invited, in the Flowings of divine Love, to attend to that which would +settle them on the sure Foundation. + +Having many Years felt Love in my Heart towards the Natives of this +Land, who dwell far back in the Wilderness, whose Ancestors were the +Owners and Possessors of the Land where we dwell; and who, for a very +small Consideration, assigned their Inheritance to us; and, being at +_Philadelphia_, in the eighth Month, 1761, in 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 _Susquehannah_, at an _Indian_ Town +called _Wehaloosing_, two hundred Miles from _Philadelphia_, and, in +Conversation with them by an Interpreter, as also by Observations on +their Countenances and Conduct, I believed some of them were measurably +acquainted with that divine Power which subjects the rough and forward +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; and, then, in the Winter, 1762, I laid it before +Friends at our Monthly and Quarterly, 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 Women from a little +beyond that Town to _Philadelphia_ on Business: And I, being informed +thereof by Letter, met them in Town in the fifth Month, 1763; and, after +some Conversation, finding they were sober People, I, by the Concurrence +of Friends in that Place, agreed to join with them as Companions in +their Return; and, on the seventh Day of the sixth Month following, we +appointed to meet at SAMUEL FOULK'S, at _Richland_ in _Bucks_ County. +Now, as this Visit felt weighty, and was performed at a Time when +Travelling appeared perilous, so the Dispensations of divine Providence, +in preparing my Mind for it, have been memorable; and I believe it good +for me to give some Hints thereof. + +After I had given up to go, the Thoughts of the Journey 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: And, 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 Father: "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of +the World, but that thou shouldest keep them from the Evil." And, in +attending to the pure Openings of Truth, I had to mention what he +elsewhere said to his Father; "I know that thou hearest me at all +Times:" So that, as some of his Followers kept their Places, and as his +Prayer was granted, it followed necessarily that they were kept from +Evil: And, 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 befals 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 +if relates to them. As I spake on this Subject, my Heart was much +tendered, and great Awfulness came over me; and then, on the first Day +of the next Week, being at our own Afternoon-meeting, and 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 _Assyrians_ endeavouring to take captive the Prophet, were +disappointed; and how the Psalmist said, "The Angel of the Lord +encampeth round about them that fear him." And thus, in true Love and +Tenderness, I parted from Friends, expecting 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 Publick-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 the said _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; so I, going again to Bed, 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 Conflict 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 +publick, 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. So 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, 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 indeed 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_; and there, +parting with JOHN, WILLIAM and we went forward on the ninth Day of the +sixth Month, and got Lodging on the Floor of a House, about five Miles +from _Fort-Allen_: Here we parted with WILLIAM; and at this Place we +met with an _Indian_ Trader, lately come from _Wioming_; and, in +Conversation with him, I perceived that many white People do 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 Mischief; 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 Clothing, +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 People 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: And while my Mind, this Evening, +was thus employed, 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 independent on such as are +wealthy, who often set high Rents on their Land: Being renewedly +confirmed in a Belief, that, if all our Inhabitants lived according to +sound Wisdom, labouring to promote universal Love and Righteousness, and +ceased from every inordinate Desire after Wealth, and from all Customs +which are tinctured with Luxury, the Way would be easy for our +Inhabitants, though much more numerous than at present, to live +comfortably on honest Employments, without having 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 that +wicked Practice of selling Rum to them. + +On the tenth Day of the Month we set out early in the Morning, and +crossed the Western Branch of _Delaware_, called the _Great Lehie_, near +_Fort-Allen_; the Water being high, we went over in a Canoe: Here we 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: Then, after travelling 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 _Wioming_, 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: And, 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 Affection. 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 Desarts appeared +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 +Warriours: 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 Warriours, travelling over +Mountains and Desarts; thinking on their Miseries and Distresses when +wounded far from Home by their Enemies; and of their 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 proposed to lay under our Blankets, being 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: So 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 eleventh Day of the sixth Month, the Bushes being wet, we tarried in +our Tent till about eight o'Clock; when, going on, we crossed a high +Mountain supposed to be upwards 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 ate 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 of the _Indians_, invited to +come again. + +The twelfth Day of the sixth Month, and first of the Week, it being a +rainy Day, we continued in our Tent; and here I was led to think on the +Nature of the Exercise which hath attended 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: And, as it pleased the Lord to make Way for my going +at a Time when the Troubles of War were increasing, and when, by Reason +of much wet Weather, Travelling was more difficult than usual at that +Season, 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 concerning me, I was made quiet and content. + +Our Guide's Horse, though hoppled, went away in the Night; 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, about seven Hours after, returned with him: And here we +lodged again; tying up our Horses before we went to Bed, and loosing +them to feed about Break of Day. + +On the thirteenth Day of the sixth Month, the Sun appearing, we set +forward; and, as I rode over the barren Hills, my Meditations were on +the Alterations of the Circumstances of the Natives of this Land since +the Coming in of the _English_. 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 passing up and down easy with any Kind of +Traffic. Those Natives have, in some Places, for trifling +Considerations, sold their Inheritance so favourably situated; and, in +other Places, been driven back by superior Force: So that in many +Places, as their Way of clothing themselves is now altered from what it +was, and they, far remote from us, have to pass over Mountains, Swamps, +and barren Desarts, 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 Subsistance, are +not so plenty as they were; and People too often, for the Sake of Gain, +open a Door for them 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 were now very much broken, and 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 upwards of nine hundred Miles, where I had travelled; and the +favourable Situation of the _English_, and the Difficulties attending +the Natives in many Places, and 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 +Continent: And here I was led into a close laborious Enquiry, whether I, +as an Individual, kept clear from all Things which tended 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 +Simplicity of a sincere Follower of Christ. And, in this lonely Journey, +I did, this Day, greatly bewail 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 Mankind: And, here, +Luxury and Covetousness, with the numerous Oppressions, and other Evils +attending them, appeared very afflicting to me; and I felt in that which +is immutable, that the Seeds of great Calamity and Desolation are sown +and growing fast on this Continent: Nor have I Words sufficient to set +forth that 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 _Wioming_; and here we 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 People, 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_ Warriours, +from distant Parts, came to that Town with two _English_ Scalps, and +told the People, that it was War with the _English_. + +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, having a Tomahawk wrapped 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 Companion 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 +disagreeable 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 what _Indians_ were about _Wioming_ +expected, in a few Days, to move to some larger Towns, I thought that, +to all outward Appearance, it was dangerous Travelling at this Time; and +was, after a hard Day's Journey, 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: And then, as I believed I +had, under a Sense of Duty, come thus far, I was now earnest in Spirit, +beseeching the Lord to shew 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 Disgrace +arising on my returning without performing the Visit, might have some +Place in me: Thus I lay, full of Thoughts, great Part of the Night, +while my beloved Companion lay and slept by me; till the Lord, my +gracious Father, who saw the Conflicts of my Soul, was pleased to give +Quietness: Then I was again strengthened 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 fourteenth Day of the sixth Month, we sought out and visited all +the _Indians_ hereabout that we could meet with; they being chiefly in +one Place, about a Mile from where we lodged, in all perhaps twenty. +Here I expressed the Care I had on my Mind for their Good; and told +them, that true Love had made me willing thus to leave my Family to come +and see the _Indians_, and speak with them in their Houses. Some of them +appeared kind and friendly. So we took our Leave of these _Indians_, and +went up the River _Susquehannah_, about three Miles, to the House of an +_Indian_, called JACOB JANUARY, who had killed his Hog; and the Women +were making 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; so that we, being detained some Hours, had a good deal +of friendly Conversation with the Family; and, eating Dinner with them, +we 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 them over a Creek, called _Lahawahamunk_, we +pitched 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 down in an humble bowed Frame of Mind, and had a comfortable Night's +Lodging. + +On the fifteenth Day of the sixth Month, we proceeded forward till the +Afternoon; when, a Storm appearing, we met our Canoe at an appointed +Place; and, the Rain continuing, we stayed all Night, which was so +heavy, that it beat through our Tent, and wet us and our Baggage. + +On the sixteenth Day, we found, on our Way, abundance of Trees blown +down with the Storm the Day before; 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 abundance 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 this 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 Warriours, +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_. 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 Difficulties in our Journey, and +the different Way of living from what I had been used to, I grew sick; +and the News of these Warriours 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 to be renewed, that I might persevere +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 seventeenth Day, parting from JOB CHILAWAY, we went on, and +reached _Wehaloosing_ about the Middle of the Afternoon, and the first +_Indian_ that we saw was a Woman of a modest Countenance, with a Bible, +who first spake to our Guide; and then, with a harmonious Voice, +expressed her Gladness at seeing us, having before heard of our Coming: +Then, 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 +Conkshell 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; and, after +sitting a short Time, I stood up, and in some Tenderness of Spirit +acquainted them with the Nature of my Visit, and that a Concern for +their Good had made me 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 shewed 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 eighteenth Day: We rested ourselves this Forenoon; and the +_Indians_, knowing that the _Moravian_ and I were of different religious +Societies, and as some of their People had encouraged him to come and +stay a While 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 _Moravian_ would speak in their settled Meetings, +which are commonly held Morning and near Evening. So I found 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 it, if I sometimes spake 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: So, near +Evening, I was at their Meeting, where the pure Gospel-love was felt, to +the tendering some of our Hearts; and the Interpreters, endeavouring 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: And afterwards, feeling my Mind covered with the +Spirit of Prayer, I told the Interpreters 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: And, before the People went out, I +observed PAPUNEHANG (the 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 as +follows: "I love to feel where Words come from." + +On the nineteenth 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_ spake a short Time to +the People: And, in the Afternoon, they coming together, and my Heart +being filled with a heavenly Care for their Good, I spake to them a +While 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 understood, 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 +spirited to give the _Indians_ the Substance of what I had said. + +Before our first Meeting, this Morning, I was led to meditate on the +manifold Difficulties of these _Indians_, who, by the Permission of the +six Nations, dwell in these Parts; and a near Sympathy with them was +raised in me; and, my Heart being enlarged in the Love of Christ, I +thought that the affectionate Care of a good Man for his only Brother in +Affliction does not exceed what I then felt for that People. + +I came to this Place through much Trouble; and though, through the +Mercies of God, I believed, that if I died in the Journey, it would be +well with me; yet the Thoughts of falling into the Hands of _Indian_ +Warriours were, in Times of Weakness, afflicting to me; and, being of a +tender Constitution of Body, the Thoughts of Captivity amongst them +were, at Times, grievous; as supposing, that they being strong and +hardy, might demand Service of me beyond what I could well bear; but the +Lord alone was my Keeper; and I believed, if I went into Captivity, it +would be for some good End: And thus, from Time to Time, my Mind was +centered in Resignation, in which I always found Quietness. And now, +this Day, though I had the same dangerous Wilderness between me and +Home, I was inwardly joyful that the Lord had strengthened me to come on +this Visit, and manifested a fatherly Care over me in my poor lowly +Condition, when in mine own Eyes I appeared inferior to many amongst the +_Indians_. + +When the last-mentioned Meeting was ended, it being Night, PAPUNEHANG +went to Bed; and, one of the Interpreters sitting by me, I observed +PAPUNEHANG spoke with an harmonious Voice, I suppose a Minute or two; +and, asking the Interpreter, I was told, that "He was expressing his +Thankfulness to God for the Favours he had received that Day; and +prayed that he would continue to favour him with that same, which he had +experienced in that Meeting." And though PAPUNEHANG had before agreed to +receive the _Moravian_, and join with them, he still appeared kind and +loving to us. + +On the twentieth Day I was at two Meetings, and silent in them. + +The twenty-first Day: This Morning, in Meeting, my Heart was enlarged in +pure Love amongst them, and, in short plain Sentences, I expressed +several Things that rested upon me, which one of the Interpreters gave +the People pretty readily; after which, the Meeting ended in +Supplication, and I had Cause humbly to acknowledge the Loving-kindness +of the Lord towards us; and then I believed that a Door remained open +for the faithful Disciples of Jesus Christ to labour amongst these +People. + +I now feeling my Mind at Liberty to return, 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 Meeting 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: And the _Moravian_ and his +_Indian_ Interpreter appeared respectful to us at parting. This Town +stands on the Bank of _Susquehannah_, and consists, I believe, of about +forty Houses, mostly compact together; some about thirty feet long, and +eighteen wide, some bigger, some less; mostly built of split Plank, one +End set in the Ground, and the other pinned to a Plate, on which lay +Rafters, and 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, that the Waters +were so raised with the Rains, that the Horses should be taken by such +as were better acquainted with the Fording-places: So we, with several +_Indians_, went in the Canoes, and others went on Horses, there being +seven besides ours. And we meeting with the Horsemen once on the Way by +Appointment, and that near Night, a little below a Branch called +_Tankhannah_, we lodged there; and some of the young Men going out a +little before Dusk with their Guns, brought in a Deer. + +On the twenty-second Day, through Diligence, we reached _Wioming_ 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 twenty-third Day in the Morning their Horses were loaded, and we +prepared our Baggage, and so set forward, being in all fourteen; and +with diligent Travelling, were favoured to get near half-way to +_Fort-Allen_. The Land on this Road from _Wioming_ to our Frontier being +mostly poor, and good Grass scarce, they chose a Piece of low Ground to +lodge on, as the best for grazing; and I, having sweated much in +Travelling, and being weary, slept sound; I perceived in the Night that +I had taken Cold, of which I was favoured to get better soon. + +On the twenty-fourth Day we passed _Fort-Allen_, and lodged near it in +the Woods. + +Having forded the westerly Branch of _Delaware_ three Times, we 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 back through the River, and they loaded her with the Burthens +of some small Horses, 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; as +expecting that our being in Company would prevent the outside +Inhabitants from being surprised. + +On the twenty-fifth 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 whom I did not remember to have seen at +Meeting, and some of these, at first, were very reserved; but, we being +several Days together, and behaving friendly toward them, and making +them suitable Returns for the Services they did us, they became more +free and social. + +On the twenty-sixth 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; so we, getting to _Richland_, had a very comfortable +Meeting amongst our Friends: Here I parted with my kind Friend and +Companion, 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: But 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 whatever the Lord might be pleased to allot +for me, would work for Good, I was careful lest I should admit any +Degree of Selfishness in being glad over much, and laboured to improve +by those Trials in such a Manner as my gracious Father and Protector +intends for me. Between the _English_ Inhabitants 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 Rattle-snakes +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_--_His Account of_ JOHN SMITH'S _Advice, and of the + Proceedings of a Committee, 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_--_His + visiting 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_--_His Visit to the lower + Counties on_ Delaware,_ and the eastern Shore of_ Maryland, _in + 1766, in Company with_ JOHN SLEEPER; _with some Account of_ JOSEPH + NICHOLS _and his Followers; and Observations on the different State + of the first Settlers in_ Pennsylvania, _who depended on their own + Labour, and those of the southern Provinces, who kept Negroes_--_His + visiting 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_--_Farther Considerations on keeping Slaves; and 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 +Publick-house, he would shew 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. + +The next Day, I, hearing of it, and understanding that the Shew was to +be continued the next Night, and the People to meet about Sun-set, felt +an Exercise on that Account: So I went to the Publick-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 +content. Then, sitting down by the Door, I spake to the People as they +came together, concerning this Shew; and, more coming and sitting down +with us, the Seats of 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 of Hand, and +bestowing their Money to support Men, who, in that Capacity, were of no +Use in the World, was contrary to the Nature of the _Christian_ +Religion. + +There was one of the Company, who, for a Time, endeavoured, by +Arguments, to shew the Reasonableness of their Proceedings herein; but, +after considering some Texts of Scripture, and calmly debating the +Matter, he gave up the Point. So, having spent about an Hour amongst +them, and feeling my Mind easy, I departed. + +At our Yearly-meeting at _Philadelphia_, on the twenty-fifth Day of the +ninth Month, 1764, JOHN SMITH, of _Marlborough_, aged upwards of eighty +Years, a faithful Minister, though not eloquent, stood up in our Meeting +of Ministers and Elders, and, appearing to be under a great Exercise of +Spirit, informed Friends in Substance as follows: to wit, "That he had +been a Member of the Society upwards 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 conforming 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 of fine costly Garments, and using of +silver (and other) Watches, became customary with them, their Sons and +their Daughters, and many of the Society made a specious 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 powerful Overshadowings of the Holy Ghost were +less manifest in the Society.--That there had been a continued Increase +of these Ways of Life even until now; and that the Weakness which hath +now overspread the Society, and the Barrenness manifest amongst us, are +Matter of much Sorrow." He then mentioned the Uncertainty of his +attending these Meetings in future, expecting his Dissolution was now +near; and, having tenderly expressed his 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 +therein. + +On the twenty-ninth Day, the Committee, appointed by the Yearly-meeting +to visit the Quarterly and Monthly-meetings, now 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 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 spake in Substance as follows: "I have felt a Tenderness in my +Mind, towards Persons, in two Circumstances mentioned in that Report; +that is, toward such active Members as keep Slaves, and such as 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: And the Way of Living, and annual Expences of some of them, +are such, that it seems impracticable 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 Quarterly and +Yearly-meetings, and at some Houses where travelling Friends and their +Horses are often entertained, that the yearly Expence of Individuals +therein is very considerable: And Friends, in some Places, crouding much +on Persons in these Circumstances for Entertainment, hath often 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 informed 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 was 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 Content 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 shewn me, +that a moderate Application to Business is proper to my present +Condition; and that this, attended with his Blessing, may supply all +outward 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 imaginary Wants? Do these +Wants prompt Men to exert their Power in requiring that of others, which +they themselves would rather be excused from, 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 terrible Pains on their Fellow-creatures, and spread +Desolation in the World? + +"Doth 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, O my Soul! 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 +expensive, 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? O! 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 in our Monthly-meeting the Fore-part of the +Winter, 1764; which being agreed to, and several Friends of our Meeting +being 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: And, 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 towards us. + +Having felt my Mind drawn toward a Visit to 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: And, setting off the twenty-fourth Day of the tenth Month, +1765, we 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: And 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 this Exercise, that I believed the +Lord moved me to travel on Foot amongst them, that, by so travelling, I +might have a more lively Feeling of the Condition of the oppressed +Slaves, set an Example of Lowliness before the Eyes of their Masters, +and be more out of the Way of Temptation to unprofitable Converse. + +The Time now drawing near in which I believed it my Duty to lay my +Concern before our Monthly-meeting, I perceived, in Conversation with my +beloved Friend, JOHN SLEEPER, that he was under a Concern to travel the +same Way, and also to travel on Foot in the Form of a Servant amongst +them, as he expressed it. This he told me before 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 Certificates, we set off the sixth Day +of the fifth Month, 1766; and were at Meetings with Friends at +_Wilmington_, _Duck-Creek_, _Little-Creek_, and _Motherkill_; my Heart +being sundry 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 Fellowship with any religious Society of People, but +professeth nearly the same Principles as our Society doth, and often +travels up and down appointing Meetings, to which many People come. I +heard some 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 People 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 Fathers are wanting amongst them: From hence we went to +_Choptank_ and _Third-Haven_; and thence to _Queen Anne's_. The Weather +having some Days past been hot and dry, and we, to attend Meetings +pursuant to Appointment, 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 expected before we came out, I now saw that I had been in Danger +of too strongly desiring to get soon through the Journey, and that this +bodily Weakness, now attending me, 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 _Pennsylvania_ and _Jersey_, from +those who dwell in _Maryland_, _Virginia_, and _Carolina_. +_Pennsylvania_ and _New-Jersey_ were settled by many Friends, who were +convinced of our Principles 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 those Provinces, and of +their numerous Engagements with the Natives, in which much Blood was +shed, even in the Infancy of those Colonies. These People, inhabiting +those Places, being grounded in Customs contrary to the pure Truth, when +some of them were affected with the powerful preaching of the Word of +Life, and joined in Fellowship with our Society, they had a great Work +to go through. It is observable, in the History of the Reformation 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 farther afterward; and thus, each one truly fearing God, and +labouring in those Works of Righteousness appointed for him in his Day, +findeth Acceptance with him: Though, through the Darkness of the Times, +and the Corruption of Manners and Customs, some upright Men 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 Repentance, cease from Oppression, and become like +Fathers to their Servants; shewing, by their Example, a Pattern of +Humility in living, and Moderation in governing, for the Instruction +and Admonition of their oppressing Neighbours; those, without carrying +the Reformation farther, 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 Reformation, have +seen the Necessity of proceeding forward, and not only to instruct +others, by their Example, in governing well, but also to use Means to +prevent their 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 Oppressed) 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 to be their Strength and Support in a +Time of outward Affliction. + +We, passing on, crossed _Chester-River_; and had a Meeting 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 it appeared to me as a small Service, +and that some faithful Messengers will yet have more bitter Cups to +drink in those southern Provinces, for Christ's Sake, 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 thirteenth 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 Visit to Friends in the upper Part of +this Province, having had Drawings of Love in my Heart that Way a +considerable Time: We travelled as far as _Hardwick_; and I had inward +Peace in my Labours of Love amongst them. + +Through the humbling Dispensations of divine Providence, my Mind hath +been brought into a farther 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; and, 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 +twentieth Day of the fourth Month, 1767, I rode to the Ferry opposite to +_Philadelphia_, and from thence walked to WILLIAM HORNE'S, at _Derby_, +that Evening; and next Day pursued my journey alone, and reached +_Concord_ week-day Meeting. + +Discouragements and a Weight of Distress had, at Times, attended me in +this lonesome Walk; through which Afflictions 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 an humble Contrition, and did renewedly +strengthen me to go forward; so 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 baptized 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, through the humbling Power of Truth, I had to admire the +Loving-kindness of the Lord manifested to us! + +On the twenty-sixth Day, I crossed _Susquehannah_; and coming amongst +People in outward Ease and Greatness, 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, respecting my Duty +amongst this People. + +Though travelling on Foot was wearisome to my Body; yet thus travelling +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 grievous 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 Fullness, 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, Sufferings, and Martyrdoms, of the Apostles and +primitive _Christians_, in labouring for the Conversion of the Gentiles, +were livingly revived in me; and, according to the Measure of Strength +afforded, I laboured in some Tenderness of Spirit, being deeply affected +amongst them: And thus the 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 crouded; 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 sanctifying 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 in this Visit, it appeared like a fresh tendering +Visitation in most Places. + +I passed on to the western Quarterly-meeting in _Pennsylvania_; during +the several Days of this Meeting, I was mercifully preserved in an +inward feeling after the Mind of Truth, and my publick Labours tended to +my Humiliation, with which I was content: And, 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 by, was livingly opened before me; +and in treating on it my Heart was enlarged; and it was a baptizing +Time. 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 second 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. And, the +Winter following, I joined Friends on 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 fifth Day of the fifth Month, 1768, I left Home under the +humbling Hand of the Lord, having obtained a Certificate, in order to +visit some Meetings in _Maryland_; and to proceed without a Horse looked +clearest to me. I was at the 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, taking 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 humbling Admiration, when Things +had 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 publick Meetings; so that (I trust) the pure +Witness, in many Minds, was reached. + +The eleventh Day of the sixth Month, 1769. Sundry Cases have happened, +of late Years, within the Limits of our Monthly-meeting, respecting that +of exercising pure Righteousness 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 till thirty Years of Age, +without Wages, on that Account; and with this Custom I so far agreed, +that I, being joined to another Friend, in executing the Will of a +deceased Friend, 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 sometimes, as I have sat in +a 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; when, being under some Concern that I may be +resigned to go on a Visit to some Part of the _West-Indies_, and under +close Engagement of Spirit, seeking to the Lord for Counsel herein, that +of my joining in the Sale aforesaid, came heavily upon me; and my Mind, +for a Time, was covered with Darkness and Sorrow; and, under this sore +Affliction, my Heart was softened to receive Instruction: And here I +first 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 a Part of my Substance to redeem the last Half of +that nine Years; but, as the Time was not yet come, I executed a Bond, +binding 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 provide comfortably for himself. + +The ninth 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 so faithful to the +Teachings of Christ as we ought to have been: And, as my Mind hath been +inward to the Lord, the Purity of Christ's Government hath been opened +in my Understanding; and, under this Exercise, that of Friends being +active in civil Society, in putting Laws in force which are not +agreeable to the Purity of Righteousness, hath, for several Years, been +an increasing Burthen upon me; having 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 to bring +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. + + +CHAPTER X + + _His preparing to visit Friends in_ England--_His embarking 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_--_His Thoughts + in a Storm at Sea: With many instructive Contemplations on the + Voyage_--_And his 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 _Yorkshire_; after weighty Consideration, I +thought it expedient to inform Friends, at our Monthly-meeting at +_Burlington_, of it; who, having Unity with me therein, gave me a +Certificate; and I afterward communicated the same to our +Quarterly-meeting, and they likewise certified their Concurrence +therewith. Some Time after which, 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; with which they likewise +signified their Unity by a Certificate, dated the twenty-fourth Day of +the third Month, 1772, directed to Friends in _Great-Britain_. + +In the fourth Month following, I thought the Time was come for me to +make some Enquiry for a suitable Conveyance; being apprehensive that, as +my Concern was principally toward the northern Parts of _England_, it +would be most proper to go in a Vessel bound to _Liverpool_ or +_Whitehaven_: And, while I was at _Philadelphia_, deliberating on this +Occasion, I was informed, that my beloved Friend, SAMUEL EMLEN, jun., +intending to go to _London_, and having taken a Passage for himself in +the Cabbin of a 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 Draught 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 appeared glad that I had Thoughts 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 in the Cabbin, a +commodious Room, and then into the Steerage; where we sat down on a +Chest, the Sailors being busy about us: Then the Owner of the Ship came, +and sat down with us. + +Here my Mind was turned toward Christ, the heavenly Counsellor; and I +feeling, at this Time, my own Will subjected, my Heart was contrite +before him. + +A Motion was made, by the Owner, to go and sit in the Cabbin, as a Place +more retired; but I felt easy to leave 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. + +I went to my Lodgings, and 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 with two Friends on board the Vessel again; 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 only, I opened my Exercise, in +relation to a Scruple with regard to a Passage in the Cabbin. + +After this I agreed for a Passage in the Steerage; and, hearing in Town +that JOSEPH WHITE had a Desire to see me, I felt the Reviving of a +Desire to see him, and went then to his House, and 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 concerned for me, on Account of the unpleasant Situation +of that Part of the Vessel where I was likely to lodge. + +Having stayed two Nights in _Philadelphia_, I went the next Day to +_Derby_ Monthly-meeting; where, through the Strength of divine Love, my +Heart was enlarged toward the Youth then present; under which I was +helped to labour in some Tenderness of Spirit. Then, lodging at WILLIAM +HORNE'S, I, with one Friend, went to _Chester_; where, meeting with +SAMUEL EMLEN, we went on board, the first Day of the fifth Month, 1772; +and, as I sat down alone, on a Seat on the Deck, I felt a satisfactory +Evidence that my Proceedings were not in my own Will, but under the +Power of the Cross of Christ. + +Seventh Day of the fifth Month. We 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, were 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 Cabbin-Passengers toward me: We were often together on the Deck, and +sometimes in the Cabbin. + +My Mind, through the merciful Help of the Lord, hath been preserved in a +good Degree, watchful and inward; and I have, this Day, great Cause to +be thankful, in that I remain to feel Quietness of Mind. + +As my lodging in the Steerage, now near a Week, hath afforded me sundry +Opportunities of seeing, hearing, and feeling, with respect to the Life +and Spirit of many poor Sailors, an inward Exercise of Soul hath +attended me, in regard to placing our Children and Youth where they may +be likely to be exampled and instructed in the pure Fear of the Lord; +and I, being much amongst the Seamen, have, from a Motion of Love, +sundry 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: And this Day we had a Meeting in the Cabbin, where my Heart +was contrite under a Feeling of divine Love. + +Now, concerning Lads being trained up as Seamen; I believe a +Communication from one Part of the World to some other Parts of it, by +Sea, 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 hath a Conveyance! how great +is that Danger, to which poor Lads are now exposed, when placed on +shipboard to learn the Art of sailing! + +O! that all may take Heed and beware of Covetousness! O that all may +learn of Christ, who was meek and low of Heart! Then, 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. + +Rising to work in the Night is not commonly pleasant in any case; but, +in dark rainy Nights, it is very disagreeable, even though each Man were +furnished with all Conveniences: 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 something 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, and come +down into the Steerage soaking wet, and are so close stowed that proper +Convenience for change of Garment is not easily come at, but for Want of +proper Room, their wet Garments are thrown in Heaps, and sometimes, +through much crouding, are trodden under Foot in going to their Lodgings +and getting out of them, and they have great Difficulties, at Times, +each one to find his own, here are Trials on the poor Sailors. + +Now, as I have been with them in my Lodge, my Heart hath often yearned +for them, and tender Desires have been raised in me, that all Owners and +Masters of Vessels may dwell in the Love of God, and therein act +uprightly; and, by seeking 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 Convenience. + +Great Reformation in the World is wanting; and the Necessity of it, +amongst these who do Business on great Waters, hath, at this Time, been +abundantly opened before me. + +The eighth Day of the fifth Month. This Morning the Clouds gathered, the +Wind blew strong from South-eastward, and before Noon increased to that +Degree that Sailing appeared 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 Cabbin-Windows, and lighted a Lamp as +at Night. + +The Wind now blew vehemently, and the Sea wrought to that Degree, that +an awful Seriousness prevailed in the Cabbin, 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 crouded Steerage, and the +Cabbin-Passengers had given me frequent Invitations. + +They ceased now from Sailing, and put the Vessel in the Posture called, +lying-to. + +My Mind, in 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 extensive, that a +Sparrow falls not without his Notice; and thus, in a tender Frame of +Mind, spake to them of the Necessity of our yielding, in true Obedience, +to the Instructions of our heavenly Father, who sometimes, through +Adversities, intendeth our Refinement. + +About eleven at Night I went out on the Deck, when the Sea wrought +exceedingly, and the high-foaming Waves, all round about, 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 the Deck; and, though he said little, I apprehended his Care +was, that the Carpenter, with his axe, might be in Readiness, in case of +any Extremity. + +Soon after this, the Vehemency of the Wind abated; and, before Morning, +they again put the Ship under Sail. + +The tenth Day of the Month, and first of the Week, it being fine +Weather, we had a Meeting in the Cabbin, at which most of the Seamen +were present: This Meeting to me was a strengthening Time. + +The thirteenth Day of the Month. As I continue to lodge in the Steerage, +I feel an Openness this Morning, to express something farther of the +State of my Mind, in Respect to poor 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 everlasting 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 prophane; so great is the present Defect amongst Seafaring +Men, in regard to Piety and Virtue: And, through an abundant Traffic, +and many Ships of War, so many People are employed on the Sea, that this +Subject of placing Lads to the Employment appears very weighty. + +Prophane Examples are very corrupting, and very forcible. And as my +Mind, Day after Day, and Night after Night, hath been affected with a +sympathizing Tenderness toward poor Children, put to the Employment of +Sailors, I have sometimes had weighty Conversation with the Sailors in +the Steerage, who were mostly respectful to me, and more and more so the +longer I was with them: They mostly appeared to take kindly what I said +to them; but their Minds have appeared to be so deeply impressed with +that almost universal Depravity amongst Sailors, that the poor +Creatures, in their Answers to me on this Subject, have revived in my +Remembrance that of the degenerate _Jews_ a little before the Captivity, +as repeated by JEREMIAH the Prophet, "There is no Hope." + +Now, 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, has now appeared +necessary: He alone is able to strengthen us to dig deep, to remove all +which lies between us and the safe Foundation, and so 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 Desires; 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! + +The sixteenth Day of the Month. Wind for several Days past often high, +what the Sailors call squally, rough Sea and frequent Rains. This last +Night a very trying Night to the poor Seamen: The Water, chief Part of +the Night, running over the main Deck, and sometimes Breaking-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 Seas, renewedly wrought in me; whose +fatherly Care over his Children felt precious to my Soul: And Desires +were now renewed in me, to embrace 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 universal +Righteousness on the Earth. The Opportunities were frequent of hearing +Conversation amongst the Sailors, in respect to the Voyages to _Africa_, +and the Manner of bringing the deeply-oppressed Slaves into our Islands. +The Thoughts of their Condition, frequently in Chains and Fetters on +board the Vessels, with Hearts loaded with Grief, under the +Apprehensions of miserable Slavery; my Mind was frequently opened to +meditate on these Things. + +On the seventeenth Day of the Month, and first of the Week, we had a +Meeting in the Cabbin; 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 may be 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, hath begotten Thankfulness in my Heart to +our great Helper. + +On the twenty-fourth Day of the Month, and first of the Week, a clear +pleasant Morning: And, as I sat on Deck, I felt a Reviving 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 difficult; so that a little +after the rising of the second Watch (which is about Midnight) I got up, +and stood, I believe, near an Hour, with my Face near the Hatchway, to +get the fresh Air at the small Vacancy under the Hatch-door; which is +commonly shut down, partly to keep out Rain, and sometimes 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 have looked at the present Dispensation as +a Kindness from the great Father of Mankind, who, in this my floating +Pilgrimage, is in some Degree bringing me to feel that, which many +thousands of my Fellow-creatures often suffer in a greater Degree. + +My Appetite failing, the Trial hath been the heavier; and I have felt +tender Breathings in my Soul after God, the Fountain of Comfort, whose +inward Help hath supplied, at Times, the Want of outward Convenience: +And strong Desires have attended me, that his Family, who are acquainted +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, shew forth Examples, tending to lead out of +that under which the Creation groans! + +This Day we had a Meeting in the Cabbin; 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 +Distress;" for which, my Heart is bowed in Thankfulness before him! + +The twenty-eighth Day of the Month.--Wet Weather of late, small Winds +inclining to Calms: Our Seamen have cast a Lead, I suppose about one +hundred Fathoms, but find 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 Government 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 heavenly Counsellor, may example them in the Truth, as +it is in Jesus;--this, for several Days, hath been the Exercise of my +Mind. O! 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 perfect 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. + +In an entire Subjection of our Wills the Lord graciously 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, without 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 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 purifieth not himself with +the Water of Separation, he defileth the Tabernacle of the Lord; he is +unclean." _Numb._ xix. 13. + +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 infinite 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 purifying 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 was not agreeable to his holy Will: And I have +felt a renewed Confirmation, in the Time of this Voyage, that the Lord, +in his infinite 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 understand 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 a Will in us to go forward +in it. As long as this natural Will remains unsubjected, so long there +remains 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 outward Circumstances, may be to us as the _Jews_ were +to the _Samaritans_. Who is my Neighbour? 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 Reformation of our Lives, wherein all +Things are new, and all 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, "fervent in Spirit, serving the Lord;" +_Rom._ xii. 11. here the Name is opened: "This is the Name by which he +shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." _Jerem._ xxiii. 6. O! how +precious is this Name! it is like Ointment poured out. The chaste +Virgins are in Love with the Redeemer; and, for the promoting 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 Employments they become extensively careful to give none +Offence, neither to _Jews_ nor _Heathen_, nor the Church of Christ. + +On the thirty-first Day of the Month, and first of the Week, we had a +Meeting in the Cabbin, with near all the Ship's Company; the Whole being +near thirty. In this Meeting, the Lord, in Mercy, favoured us with the +Extendings of his Love. + +The second Day of the sixth Month. Last Evening the Seamen found Bottom +at about seventy Fathoms. + +This Morning, fair Wind, and pleasant. 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 a humble Dependence on him, my Soul +might be strengthened in his Love, and kept inwardly waiting for his +Counsel. + +This Afternoon we saw that Part of _England_ called the _Lizard_. + +Some Dunghill-fowls yet remained of those the Passengers took for their +Sea-store; 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 to that of caring for the +Sparrows; and 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 in us, that we do not lessen that Sweetness of Life, in the animal +Creation, which the great Creator intends for them in our Government. + +The fourth Day of the Month. About Noon a Pilot came off from _Dover_; +where my beloved Friend, SAMUEL EMLEN, went on Shore, and thence to +_London_; but I felt easy in staying in the Ship. + +The seventh Day of the Month, and first of the Week. 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. We had a +Head-Wind up the _Thames_; lay sometimes at Anchor; 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 on the People +employed on the Seas, so affected my Heart, that I cannot easily convey +the Feeling I have had to another. + + +CHAPTER XI + + _His attending the Yearly-meeting in_ London; _and, after it, + proceeding towards_ Yorkshire, _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; _with some instructive Thoughts and Observations, + and Letters on divers Subjects_--_His hearing of the Decease of_ + WILLIAM HUNT; _and some Account of him_--_His Sickness at_ York; + _and End of his Pilgrimage there_ + +On the eighth Day of the sixth Month, 1772, we landed at _London_; and I +went straightway to the Yearly-meeting 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 of +publick Worship; and I felt my Mind united in true Love to the faithful +Labourers now gathered at this Yearly-meeting. + +On the fifteenth Day of the Month, I left _London_, and went to a +Quarterly-meeting at _Hertford_. + +The first Day of the seventh Month. I have been at Quarterly-meetings at +_Sherrington_, _Northampton_, _Banbury_, and _Shipston_; and had sundry +Meetings between: My Mind hath been bowed under a Sense of divine +Goodness manifested amongst us; my Heart hath been often enlarged in +true Love, both amongst Ministers and Elders, and in publick Meetings; +that through the Lord's Goodness, I believe it hath been a fresh +Visitation to many, in particular to the Youth. + +The seventeenth Day of the Month. Was this Day at _Birmingham_: Have +been at Meetings at _Coventry_, _Warwick_, in _Oxfordshire_, and sundry +other Places; 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 twenty-sixth Day of the Month. I have continued travelling +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 in a Friend's House with Friends Children +and some Friends; this, through the strengthening Arm of the Lord, was a +Time to be thankfully remembered. + +The second Day of the eighth Month, and first of the Week. Was this Day +at _Sheffield_, a large inland Town: Have been at sundry Meetings last +Week; and feel inward Thankfulness for that divine Support, which hath +been graciously extended to me. + +The ninth Day of the Month, and first of the Week, was at _Rushworth_: +Have lately passed through some painful Labour; but have been comforted, +under a Sense of that divine Visitation, which I feel extended toward +many young People. + +The sixteenth Day of the Month, and first of the Week, I was at +_Settle_: It hath of late been a Time of inward Poverty; under which my +Mind hath been preserved in a watchful tender State, feeling for the +Mind of the holy Leader, and I find Peace in the Labours I have passed +through. + +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 Traffick, carried on in impure Channels. +Great is the Trade to _Africa_ for Slaves! and, in loading these Ships, +abundance 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, 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 our 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; 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; and 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 example in a +plain frugal Life, and pay Wages, to such as they may hire, more +liberally than is now customary in some Places. + +The twenty-third 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 hath +opened for Conversation with such in private, in which Divine Goodness +hath favoured us together with heart-tendering Times. + +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 _Greyrig_ Meeting the thirtieth 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 sixth Day of the ninth Month, and first of the Week. Was this Day at +_Counterside_, a large Meeting-house, and very full; and, through the +Opening of pure Love, it was a strengthening Time to me, and (I believe) +to many more. + +The thirteenth Day of the Month. Was this Day at _Richmond_, 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 ninth Day of the ninth Month, Instant, of the +Small-pox, 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 publick Testimony, that his +Concern was (in that Visit) to be devoted 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. + +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 as +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 experience the renewing thereof, in the Appointment of +Meetings. + +I felt a Concern, in _America_, to prepare for this Voyage; and, being, +through the Mercy of God, brought safe 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-course, where a Weight of Water lay upon it; and in these Labours +there appeared a fresh Visitation to many, especially 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 Creature; and herein I was united with the +suffering Seed, and found inward Sweetness with 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 Meetings, not wholly, +but in Part; and I do not feel Liberty to appoint them so quick one +after another as I have heretofore. + +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 O! how great is the Danger of departing from the pure +Feeling of that which leadeth safely! + +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 themselves have Need of +purging. + +O! 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 +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. + +Now I find that, in the pure Obedience, the Mind learns Contentment, 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 attending thereto, the +Understanding is preserved clear: Self is kept out. 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 Attention 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 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 Visits, came to the City of _York_, and attended +most of the Sittings of the Quarterly-meeting there; but, before it was +over, was taken ill of the Small-pox. Our Friend, THOMAS PRIESTMAN, and +others who attended him, preserved the following Minutes of his +Expressions in the Time of his Sickness and of his Decease. + +First-day, the twenty-seventh of the ninth Month, 1772. His Disorder +appeared to be the Small-pox. + +Second-day. He said he felt the Disorder to affect his Head, so that he +could think little, and but as a Child. + +Third-day he uttered the following Prayer.--O 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 shewed to us in the +most affecting Example of thy Son, and thou taughtest 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 do not 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 must be +hard to bear; but, if he escaped them now, he must sometime 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, 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 +provided for. And a little after said, This Trial is made easier than I +could have thought, my Will being wholly taken away; for if I were +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 something to drink, he said, +My Child, thou seemest very kind to me, a poor Creature, the Lord will +reward thee for it. A While after he cried out with great Earnestness of +Spirit, O my Father! my Father! and soon after he said, O 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 +replied, 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 excuse me from Exercises of this Kind; and 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 whatever 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 Whirlwind 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 nor 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 +DEWSBERRY, and he saw the different States of the People, as clear as he +had ever seen Flowers in a Garden; but in his going along he was +suddenly stopt, though he could not see for what End; but, looking +towards Home, fell into a Flood of Tears which waked him. + +At another Time he said, My Draught seemed strongest 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 Distress, What shall I do now? He answered with +great Composure, Rejoice evermore, and in every Thing give Thanks; but +added a little after, this is sometimes hard to come at. + +Sixth-day-morning, he broke forth early in Supplication on this wise: O +Lord! it was thy Power that enabled me to forsake Sin in my Youth, and I +have felt thy Bruises for Disobedience; but, as I bowed under them, thou +didst heal 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 stedfast unto thee.----Upon his giving Directions to a Friend +concerning some little Things, she said, I will take Care, but hope thou +wilt 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 it so happen, 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 faithful 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, perceiving a Friend to weep, +he said, I would rather thou wouldst guard against weeping for me, my +Sister; I sorrow not, though I have had some painful Conflicts; but 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, fourth 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 relieved 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 he thought it might, he spoke with an audible Voice on +this wise:--My Dependance 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 trying 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, 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 + + + + +THE LAST EPISTLE & OTHER WRITINGS OF JOHN WOOLMAN + + +THE 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 frequently +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, did visit 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 Light_, Mat. vi. 22. +but for want of this, selfish Desires, and an imaginary Superiority, +darken the Mind; hence Injustice frequently proceeds; and where this is +the Case, to convince the Judgment, is the most effectual Remedy. + +Where violent Measures are pursued in opposing Injustice, 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 +acquainted 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_, John iii. 21. and under Oppression persevere in the +meek Spirit, and abide firm in the Cause of Truth, without actively +complying with oppressive Demands, through those the Lord hath often +manifested his Power, in opening the Understandings of others, to the +promoting Righteousness 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_, Isaiah ii. 4. 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 prevalent, 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 ON PURE WISDOM AND HUMAN POLICY + + +To have our Trust settled in the Lord, and not to seek after, nor 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 trusteth +in 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 Contentment 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 Engagement, that every Desire which leads therefrom may be brought +to Judgment. + +While we proceed in this precious Way, and find ardent 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 I have considered that Saying of Christ, _Mat._ vi. 19, _Lay not up +for yourselves Treasures upon Earth_, his Omnipotence hath often +occurred to my Mind. + +While we believe that he is every where present with his People, and +that perfect Goodness, Wisdom and Power are united in him, how +comfortable is the Consideration. + +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 dangerous 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_, Phil. iii. 10. 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 concerned, according to +their Measure, _to fill up that which is behind of the Afflictions of +Christ_, Col. i. 24. in patiently suffering for the promoting +Righteousness in the Earth; but have an Eye toward the Power of Men, and +the outward Advantage of Wealth, these are often attentive to those +Employments which appear profitable, even though the Gains arise from +such Trade and Business which proceeds 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 those Difficulties. + +To such I may say, in the feeling of our Heavenly 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 +Expence 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 Resemblance 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 opposite Vices, is good in itself, and hath a Resemblance of +Wisdom; but while People thus provident, have it principally 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 into 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 is often applied otherwise; nor can we depart from +the Leadings of our Holy Shepherd, without going into Confusion. + +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 apprehend, 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 beneath, and 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 Adversities, superior +to the greatest outward Helps, 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 the better enables us to judge rightly respecting 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_, Mat. vi. 26. nor do I believe that Infinite +Goodness and Power would have allotted 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 Consideration. + +Idle Men are often a Burden to themselves, neglect the Duty they owe to +their Families, and become burdensome 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, hath a contrary Effect. + +I have observed, that too much Labour not only makes the Understanding +dull, but so intrudes upon the Harmony 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 proceeds immoderate Sweats, +which do often, I believe, open the Way for Disorders, and impair our +Constitutions. + +When we go beyond the true Medium, and feel Weariness 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 which we should endeavour to live +in. + +Thus toiling in the Heat, and drinking strong Liquor, makes Men more +resolute, and less considerate, and tends very much to disqualify from +successfully following him who is meek and low of Heart. + +As laying out Business, more 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 too much strong Drink is often used, and +hereby many proceed to Noise and Wantonness, and some, though more +considerate, do often suffer Loss, as to a true Composedness of Mind. + +I feel sincere Desires in my Heart that no Rent, nor Interest, might be +laid so high as to be a Snare to Tenants. 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 lamentably neglected by many, who assign them +their Portion 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 to promoting the +Slave-trade, and to speak as favourably as may be, with regard to +continuing those in Bondage who are amongst us, we cannot say there is +no Partiality in it; for whatever Tenderness may be manifested by +Individuals in their Life-time towards them, yet for People to be +transmitted from a Man to his Posterity, in the helpless Condition of +Slaves, appears inconsistent with the Nature of the Gospel 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 unexperienced Men, who know +but little about the Weakness of old Age, nor understand the Language of +declining Life. + +Where Parents give their Estates to their Children, and then depend on +them for a Maintainance, they sometimes meet with great Inconveniences; +but if the Power of Possession, thus obtained, doth often reverse 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 find themselves destitute of those +comfortable Accommodations, 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 unsympathising 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 Oppressed_, Psalm ix. 9. + + +ON SCHOOLS + +_Suffer the 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 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 of 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, _All their Works which they +do is for to be seen of Men_, Mat. xxiii. 5. + +That Divine Light which enlightens all Men, I believe, does often shine +in the Minds of Children very early, and to humbly wait for Wisdom, that +our Conduct toward them may tend to forward their Acquaintance with it, +and 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 Measures 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 in an humble waiting for the Leadings of Truth, but follow +the Maxims of the Wisdom of this World, such Children who are under +their Tuition, appear to me to be in Danger of imbibing Thoughts, and +Apprehensions, reverse to that Meekness, and Lowliness of Heart, which +is necessary for all the true Followers of Christ. + +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 such, whose Minds we believe are not rightly prepared to +_train them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord_, we are in +Danger 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 such 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 +Conversation of such Children who do not live in Innocence, it is a Case +much to be lamented. + +While a pious Tutor hath 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 outward +Learning, but to open their Understandings with respect to the true +_Christian_ Life; but where a Person hath 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 Omission 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 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 +such 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 Children, there is Danger of Disorders gradually increasing +amongst them, till 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 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 hath, +at Times, been affected with Sorrow, and under these Exercises it hath +appeared to me, that if those who have large Estates, were faithful +Stewards, and laid no Rent, nor Interest, nor other Demands, higher than +is consistent with universal Love; and those in lower Circumstances +would, under a moderate Employ, shun unnecessary Expence, 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. + + +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, those Approaches to him are obstructed, and the deceivable +Spirit gains Strength. + +These Truths, being as it were engraven upon our Hearts, and our +everlasting Interest in Christ evidently concerned herein, 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_, Col. iii. 17. + +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 mixeth 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. And as the Minds of People +are settled in a steady Concern, not to hold nor possess any Thing but +what may be held consistent with the Wisdom 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 agreeable to the Nature of +the peaceable Government of Christ. + +A little supports such a Life; and in a State truly resigned 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 launching 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 doth suffice. + +Here the real Comforts of Life are not lessened. Moderate 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 Content and Gratitude. + +The mutual Love, subsisting between the faithful Followers of Christ, is +more pure than that Friendship which is not seasoned with Humility, how +specious soever the Appearance. + +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 procuring Delicacies. + +In beholding how the true Calmness of Life is changed into Hurry, and +that many, by eagerly pursuing outward Treasure, are in great Danger of +withering 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 the promoting an +humble, plain, temperate Way of living. A Life where no unnecessary +Care, nor Expences, may incumber our Minds, nor lessen our Ability to do +Good; where no Desires after Riches, or Greatness, may lead into hard +Dealing; where no Connections with worldly-minded Men, may abate our +Love to God, nor 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 beat into Plowshares, and +Spears into pruning Hooks, and that Nation shall not lift up Sword +against Nation, nor learn War any more_; he immediately 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_, +Isaiah ii. 5. + +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 Traffick, which _is not of the Father, +but of the World_, 1 John ii. 16 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, does necessarily require a Support, which pure Wisdom does +not provide for; 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_, Titus ii. 14. Ephes. v. 11. 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_, Mat. vi. 32. + +These Things which he beholds 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 these Things which he knoweth that we have need of_. + +As my Meditations have been on these Things, Compassion hath filled my +Heart toward my Fellow Creatures, involved in Customs, grown up in _the +Wisdom of this World, which is Foolishness with God_, 1 Cor. iii. 19. +And O 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 unfailing 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 +content with a plain, simple Way of living, do yet find that to conduct +the Affairs of a Family, without giving Countenance to unrighteous +Proceedings, or having Fellowship with Works of Darkness, the most +diligent Care is necessary. + +If Customs, distinguishable from universal Righteousness, 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 expensive +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. + +By JOHN WOOLMAN + + _And the Remnant of_ Jacob _shall be in the midst of many People, + as the Dew from the Lord, as the Showers upon the Grass, that + tarrieth not for Man, nor waiteth for the Sons of Men_, Micah v. 7. + + _LONDON_: + Re-printed by MARY HINDE. + + +THE INTRODUCTION + +As Mankind 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 is it that the professed Followers of +Christ keep sacred his Holy Name, and be employed about Trade and +Traffick no farther than Justice and Equity evidently accompanies? 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 Knowledge of God, and his Son Jesus Christ, +amongst our Fellow Creatures, which through his infinite Love some feel +to be more precious than any other Treasure. + + +CONSIDERATIONS ON THE TRUE HARMONY OF MANKIND &c. + + +CHAPTER I + + _On serving the Lord in our outward Employments_ + +Under the 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 +Harmony, 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 Understanding in the Fear of the +Lord, and qualify 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. + +And 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 Leadings 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 +hath all Power in Heaven and in Earth; and though a Woman may forget her +sucking Child, yet will he not forget his faithful Ones. + +The Condition of many who dwell in Cities hath often 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 Life, 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 the +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 Kingdom of +Christ on Earth as it is in Heaven. + +Now if we indulge a Desire to imitate our Neighbours in those Things +which harmonise 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 Departure from that pure Feeling of Truth, which if +faithfully attended to, would teach Contentment 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_ Prim. +_Christi._ 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 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 Curiosity." 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, till 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 graciously +points out the Danger of departing therefrom, by going into unsuitable +Employments; this he represents in the Similitude of Offence from that +useful active Member, the Hand; and to fix the Instruction the deeper, +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 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 Trial, 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. + +And I may here add, that at Times, when I have felt true Love open my +Heart towards my Fellow Creatures, and being 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 here 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 tho' some have been affected with a Sense of their +Difficulties, and 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 O what Longings 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 Christ is in the Light, we shall have +Fellowship one with another, and the Blood of Christ will cleanse 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 +Sin_. + +Walking is a Phrase frequently used in Scripture, to represent our +Journey thro' Life, and appears to comprehend 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 this Foundation is laid, and mutually kept to, by +Families conversant with each other, the Way is open for these Comforts +in Society, which our Heavenly Father intends as a Part of our Happiness +in this World; and then 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 absolute Power over them, or otherwise laying on them +unequitable 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 +Righteousness: 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 Partakers of her Sins, +and that ye receive not of her Plagues_. Rev. xv. 3, 4. 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_. Gen. xi. 4. In departing from an humble Trust in God, and +following a selfish Spirit, People have Intentions to get the upperhand +of their Fellow Creatures, privately meditate on Means to obtain their +Ends, 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 Abundance of her Delicacies_. Rev. xviii. 3. + +And it is remarkable in this Call, that the Language from the Father of +Mercies is, my People, _Come out of_ Babylon _my People_. Thus his +tender Mercies are toward us 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_. Zeph. iii. 9. + +Happy for them 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 painful, yet as we bow in true Humility, and continue in it, +an Evidence is felt that God only is wise; and that in weaning us from +all that is selfish he prepares the Way to a quiet Habitation, where all +our Desires are bounded by his Wisdom. And 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._ Luke xxii. 27. + +Thus in a World greatly disordered, where Men aspiring to outward +Greatness were wont to oppress others to support their Designs, he who +was of the highest Descent, 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 Shew of outward Greatness, +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 also 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 Mon. Page 1177. + + +CHAPTER II + + _On the Example of CHRIST_ + +As my Mind hath 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; 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 sympathize with them. + +It was 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 Product of it. + +Now 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 is 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 Example 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 not deficient in +looking for the Helpless, who lay in Obscurity, nor did he save any +Thing to render himself honourable amongst 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 being the Son of him who +is greater than Earthly Princes, yet became a Companion to poor, +sincere-hearted Men; and though he gave the clearest Evidence that +Divine Power attended him, yet the most unfavourable Constructions were +framed by a self-righteous People; those 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 till 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 sincere, +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 human 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 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, declineth to plead in his own +Defence, _but as a Sheep that is dumb before the Shearer_, so under many +Accusations, Revilings, and Buffetings, remained silent. And though he +signified to _Peter_, that he had Access to Power sufficient 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 he, like some vile Criminal, _led as a +Lamb to the Slaughter_. Under these heavy Trials (tho' poor unstable +_Pilate_ was convinced of his Innocence, yet) the People generally +looked upon him as a Deceiver, a Blasphemer, and the approaching +Punishment as a just Judgment upon him; _They esteemed him smitten of +God and afflicted._ So great had been the Surprize of his Disciples, at +his being taken by armed Men, that they _forsook 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, laboured as their Advocate, and in the Deeps of Affliction, +with an unconquerable Patience, cried out, _Father, forgive them, they +know not what they do!_ + +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 promote, 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, +_may be done on Earth as it is in Heaven_. Strong are the Desires I +often feel, that this Holy Profession may remain unpolluted, and 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_ MERCHANDIZING + +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 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 Disintanglement from those Snares which attends +the Love of Money; and where the faithful Friends of Christ are so +situated that Merchandize appears to be their Duty, they feel a +Restraint from proceeding 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_, 2 Cor. v. +15. Thus they are taught, not only to keep to a moderate 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_ spake 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_, Isa. lxiii. 10. And +the Apostle, after mentioning the Mystery of Christ's Sufferings, +exhorts, _Be ye Holy in all Manner of Conversation_, 1 Pet. i. 15. There +is a Conversation necessary in Trade; and there is a Conversation so +foreign from the Nature of Christ's Kingdom, that it is represented in +the Similitude of one Man pushing another with a warlike Weapon; _There +is that speaketh like the Piercings of a Sword_, Prov. xii. 18. Now in +all our Concerns 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_, Exod. xxiii. 13, that nothing 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 Inhabitants of a +Country, there is a certain Reproach attends those Individuals amongst +them, who manifestly deviate therefrom. But where Iniquity is committed +openly, and the Authors of it are not brought to Justice, nor put to +Shame, their Hands grow strong. Thus the general Corruption of the +_Jews_ shortly before their State was broke up by the _Chaldeans_, is +described by their Boldness in Impiety; for as their Leaders were +connected together in Wickedness they strengthened one another, and grew +confident; _Were they ashamed when they had committed Abominations? Nay, +they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush_, Jer. vi. 15, 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 +rejoicest_, Jer. xi. 15. + +Now the faithful Friends of Christ, who hunger and thirst after +Righteousness, and inwardly breathe that his Kingdom may come on Earth +as it is in Heaven, he teacheth them 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_, Jer. xiii. 6, 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 unacceptable; +and from those esteemed Leaders of the People may be 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; and O how +necessary it is, to consider the Weight of a Holy Profession! + +The Conduct of some formerly gave Occasion of Complaint against them; +_Thou hast defiled thy Sanctuaries by the Multitude of thine Iniquities, +by the Iniquity of thy Traffick_, Ezek. xxviii. 18, 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, and speak uprightly._ By +_walking_ 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 express'd himself; +_Thou shall not follow a Multitude to do Evil, nor speak in a Cause to +decline after many to wrest Judgment_, Exod. xxiii. 2. + +He goes on to shew their Firmness in Equity; representing them as +Persons superior to all the Arts of getting Money, which have not +Righteousness for their Foundation; _They despise the Gain of +Oppressions_: And further shews 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 shedding 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's stopping his Ears to prevent a Sound from entering his Head; _They +stop their Ears from hearing Blood_: And where they know that Wickedness +is committed, he points out with Care, that they do not by an unguarded +Friendship with the Authors of it, appear like unconcerned Lookers on, +but as People so deeply affected with Sorrow, 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 devouring Fire? Who amongst us shall +dwell with everlasting Burnings? He that walketh righteously and +speaketh uprightly. 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_, Isa. xxxiii. +15. + +He proceeds in the Spirit of Prophecy to shew how the Faithful, being +supported under Temptations, would be preserved from that Defilement +that 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 points out the Stability and Firmness of their Condition; _His Place +of Defence shall be the Munition of Rocks_; and that under all the +outward Appearances of Loss, in denying himself of gainful Profits for +Righteousness Sake, yet through the Care of him who provides for the +Sparrows, he should have a Supply answerable to his 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 +Understanding is opened, to behold the peaceable harmonious 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 eternal in the Heavens_, they with an eye divinely open +_shall behold the Land that is very far off_. + +_He shall dwell on high, his Place of Defence shall be the Munition of +Rocks, Bread shall be given him, his Waters shall be sure. Thine Eyes +shall see the King in his Beauty; they shall behold the Land that is +very far off_, Isa. xxxiii. 16. + +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_, Isa. xxvi. 8. + +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 a 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_, Isa. lxvi. 18. 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_, Malachi i. 11. + +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_, Psal. ii. 8. That _he was given for a Light to the_ +Gentiles; _and for Salvation to the Ends of the Earth_, Isa. xlix. 6. + +When we meditate on this divine Work, as a Work of Ages; a Work that the +Prophets felt long before Christ appeared visibly on Earth, and remember +the bitter Agonies 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 on this marvellous Work, as that which _the Angels +desire to look into_, 1 Pet. i. 12. 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 indifferent +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, take hold of 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 mournful 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 the promoting of it in +the Earth. + +_Policarp_, who was reputed a Disciple of the Apostle _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! O God of the Angels and Powers, and of every living Creature, +and of all Sorts of just Men which 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 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 +everlasting 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, he 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 Mon. 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. See Introduction to his Works. + +I mention these as a few Examples, out of many of the powerful +Operations 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 Government opened in +their Understandings, how loud is that Call wherewith we are called to +Faithfulness; that in following 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_ is become hateful to many of the _Heathen_. + +When _Gehazi_ had obtained Treasures which the Prophet 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 a +specious Living. + +_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_, 2 Kings v. 26. And 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 eat the +Roots, that the Surface, being loosened from the Soil beneath, might be +taken off in great Sheets. + +These Kind of devouring Creatures appearing seldom, and coming in such +Multitudes, their Generation appears different from most other Reptiles, +and by the Prophet were call'd _God's Army sent amongst the People_, +Joel ii. 25. + +There have been Tempests of Hail, which have very much destroyed the +Grain where they extended. Through long Drought in Summer, Grain in some +Places hath been less than half the usual Quantity;[1] 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 languished; and with Reverence my Mind +hath been turned towards him, who being perfect in Goodness, in Wisdom +and Power, doeth all Things right. And after long Drought, when the Sky +hath grown dark with a Collection of Matter, and Clouds like Lakes of +Water hung over our Heads, from whence the thirsty Land hath 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 give striking Admonitions, that we do +not misapply those Gifts, in which an Almighty Power is exerted, in +bestowing them upon us. + +[Footnote 1: When Crops fail. I often feel a tender Care that the Case +of poor Tenants may be mercifully considered.] + +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 behold +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 no +more venture to use, or apply his Gifts, in a Way contrary to pure +Wisdom. + +Should we continue to reject those merciful Admonitions, 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 Distress than hath +yet been felt by these Provinces; with what sorrow of Heart might we +meditate on that Subject, _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 forsaken the Lord thy God, and that my Fear is +not in thee, saith the Lord of Hosts_, Jer. ii. 17, 19. + +My Mind hath often been affected with Sorrow, in beholding a wrong +Application of the Gifts of our Heavenly Father; and those Expressions +concerning the Defilement of the Earth have been opened to my +Understanding; _The Earth was corrupt before God, and the Earth was +filled with Violence_, Gen. vi. 11. Again, Isaiah xxiv. 5. _The Earth +also is defiled under the Inhabitants thereof._ + +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_,[2] Jer. ii. 34. + +[Footnote 2: See a _Caution and Warning to Great Britain and her +Colonies_ Page 31.] + +When Blood shed unrighteously remains unatoned for, and the Inhabitants +are not effectually 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 polluted with Blood, _Deut_. xxi. 6. + +Moreover, when the Earth is planted and tilled, and the Fruits brought +forth are applied to support unrighteous Purposes; here the gracious +Design of infinite Goodness, 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_, Isaiah xliii. 24. + + + + +AN EPISTLE TO THE QUARTERLY AND MONTHLY MEETINGS OF FRIENDS. + +By JOHN WOOLMAN. + + _LONDON_: + Re-printed by MARY HINDE. + + +AN EPISTLE, &c. + +Beloved Friends,--Feeling at this Time a renewed Concern that the pure +Principle 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 may so walk that our Conduct +may reach the pure Witness in the Hearts of such who are not in +Profession with us. + +And, dear Friends, while we publickly own that the Holy Spirit is our +Leader, the Profession is in itself weighty, and the Weightiness thereof +increaseth in Proportion as we are noted among the Professors of Truth, +and active in dealing with such who walk disorderly. + +Many under our Profession, for Want of due Attention, 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 +increasing 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 Conduct hath appeared more dishonourable in +the World. + +Now as my Mind hath been exercised before the Lord, I have seen, that +the Discipline of the Church of Christ 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 +Circumstances, 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 the Purity of Discipline, and +over that Holiness of Life, which Christ leads those into, _in whom, the +Love of God is verily perfected_, 1 John ii. 5. + +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 heathen Man, or a Publican_, Mat. xviii. 17. + +Now 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 such 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._ Now this forbidding alludes to Man's Judgment, and +points out the Necessity of our humbly attending to that sanctifying +Power, under which the Faithful experience the Lord to be _a Spirit of +Judgment to them_, Isa. xxviii. 6. 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 Judgment is known. + +And while Divine Love prevails in our Hearts, and Self in 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 Love +of God, that we keep his Commandments_, John i. 3. + +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, O Father I be hallowed. Thy Kingdom come. Thy +Will be done on 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 his Holy Name sacred, but +by humbly abiding under the Cross of Christ. The Apostle laid a heavy +Complaint against some who prophaned this Holy Name by their Manner of +Living, _Through you_, he says, _the Name of God is blasphemed among +the_ Gentiles, _Rom._ ii. 24. + +Some of our Ancestors, through many Tribulations, were gathered into the +State of true Worshippers, and had Fellowship in that which is pure; and +as one was inwardly moved to kneel down in their Assemblies, and +publickly 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 remember that to unite in Worship, is an Union in Prayer, and +that Prayer acceptable to the Father, is only 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 Words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will in +my Name, and it shall be done unto you._--Now 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 Principles, and are +outwardly active in supporting them, should faithfully abide in Divine +Strength, that _as he who has called us, is Holy, so we may be Holy in +all manner of Conversation_, 1 Pet. i. 15. + +If one professing to be influenced by the Spirit of Christ, propose to +unite in a Labour to promote Righteousness in the Earth, and in Time +past he hath manifestly deviated from the Paths of Equity, then to act +consistent with this Principle, his first Work is to make Restitution so +far as he may be enabled; for if he attempts to contribute 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 +entangle 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. + +Again, if I propose to assist in supporting those Doctrines 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 then 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 answerable thereto, is necessary before I can consistently +recommend this Principle to others.--I often feel a Labour in Spirit, +that we who are active Members in religious Society, may experience in +ourselves the Truth of those Expressions of the Holy One; _I will be +sanctified in them that come nigh me_, Lev. x. 3.----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 +incited in me, that we who profess the inward Principle of Light 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 +inwardly 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 Thoughts of such being entangled with Customs, +contrary to pure Wisdom, conveyed to them through our Hands, doth often +very tenderly, and movingly affect my Heart, and when I look towards, +and think on the succeeding Generation, fervent Desires are raised in +me, that we by yielding to that Holy Spirit which leads into all Truth, +may not do the Work of the Lord deceitfully, may not live contrary to +the Purity of the Divine Principle we profess; but that as faithful +Labourers in our Age, we may be instrumental in removing +Stumbling-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_, Eph. v. +25. and where any take the Name of Christ upon them, professing to be +Members of his Church, and 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, _viz._ 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 +Newness 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; and when under a Travail of Spirit, we behold a +visited People entangled by the Spirit of the World with its Wickedness +and Customs, and thereby rendered incapable of being faithful Examples +to others, Sorrow and Heaviness under a Sense of these Things, is 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 Altar, and there remembrest that +thy Brother hath ought 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_, Mat. v. 23, 24. 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 +Contradiction 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; _Whosoever shall do the +Will of God, the same is my Brother_, Mark iii. 35. Now 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 Possibility of proceeding as an Assembly of +the Lord's People in the pure Council 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, relating to a visible +gathered Church, the Members whereof are guided by the Holy Spirit. + +The Church is called _the Body of Christ_, Col. i. 24. + +Christ is called _the Head of the Church_, Eph. i. 22. + +The Church is called _the Pillar, and Ground of Truth_, 1 Tim. iii. 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 +Profession 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 such which Christ is the Author of. + +Now 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 +prophaning the Holy Name, and of going back toward that Wilderness of +Sufferings and Persecution, out of which, through the tender Mercies of +God, a Church hath been gathered; _Christ liveth in sanctified Vessels_, +Gal. ii. 20. and where they behold his Holy Name prophaned, and the pure +Gospel Light eclipsed, through the Unfaithfulness of any who by their +Station appear to be Standard-bearers under the Prince of Peace, the +living Members in the Body of Christ in 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 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 Condition of +sincere-hearted People in some Kingdoms, where Liberty of Conscience is +not allowed, many of whom being burthened in their Minds with prevailing +Superstition joined with Oppressions, are often under Sorrow; and where +such have attended to that pure Light which hath in some degree opened +their Understandings, and for their Faithfulness thereto, have been +brought to Examination and Trial, how heavy are the Persecutions which +in divers Parts of the World are exercised upon them! How mighty, as to +the outward, is that Power by which they are borne down, and oppressed! + +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 they have +frequently indured, who have been faithful to the End! + +How many tender spirited _Protestants_ have been sentenced to spend the +Remainder 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 Conscience of the Parents, that by +dissenting from them, they have hazarded their Liberty, 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 People have suffered Death for the +Testimony of a good Conscience, whose Faithfulness in their Day hath +ministred 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 length, through the tender Mercies of God, hath +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 open before me, that Liberty of +Conscience with which we are favoured, hath appeared not as 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 like laying the Foundation for future Sufferings. + +I feel a living Invitation in my Mind to such 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 Conscience toward God, not obtained but through 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 endure, or our Hands be strong, if we desert a +Cause so precious, if we turn aside from a Work, under 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, nor count the Blood of +the Covenant unholy! + +May the Faithfulness of the Martyrs when the Prospect of Death by Fire +was before them, be remembred. And may the patient constant Sufferings +of the upright-hearted Servants of God in latter Ages be revived in our +Minds. And may we so follow on to know the Lord, that neither the +Faithful in this Age, nor those in Ages to come, may ever 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 Disorders 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 this Church, continue in a manifest Opposition to the Purity +of our Principles, this, as the Prophet _Isaiah_ x. 18. expresseth it, +is like _as when a Standard-bearer fainteth_; and thus the Way opens to +great and prevailing Degeneracy, and to Sufferings for such 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 Will, the pure Light shines into the Soul, and where the +Fruits of that Spirit which is of the 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 gathered Church, the Sincere in Heart who +abide in true Stillness, and are exercised therein before the Lord for +his Name's Sake, have a Knowledge of Christ in the Fellowship 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 gathered +Church, without, the pure Leadings of the Spirit of Christ. + +While aught remains in us different from a perfect Resignation 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_, Rom. xii. 2. 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 abiding 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, and 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 unprofitable, 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 Stop which in +relation to good Order in the visible gathered Church, is of the +greatest Consequence to be observed; thus _Robert Barclay_ in his +Treatise on Discipline holds forth, Page 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." + +Now in this Stop I have learned the Necessity of waiting on the Lord in +Humility, that the Works of all may be brought to the 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 gathered Church +brought forth in Man's Wisdom, remain to be unprofitable. + +Where People are divinely gathered into a Holy Fellowship, and +faithfully abide under the Influence of that Spirit which leads into all +Truth, _they are the Light of the World_, Mat. v. 14. Now holding this +Profession, to me hath appeared 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 Enquiry 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 of our Conduct carry a Contradiction to the Truth as +it is in Jesus, or be a Means of prophaning his Holy Name, and be a +Stumbling-block in the Way of those sincere Enquirers! + +When such Seekers, who wearied with empty Forms, look toward uniting +with us as a People, and behold active Members among us depart in their +customary Way of Living, from that Purity of Life, which under humbling +Exercises hath 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, +harmonious Principle, 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; and 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 Treasures I possess been +gathered in that Wisdom which is from above, so far as hath appeared to +me? + +Have none of my Fellow Creatures an equitable Right to any Part which is +called mine? + +Have the Gifts, and Possessions received by me from others, been +conveyed in a Way free from all Unrighteousness, so far as I have seen? + +The Principle of Peace in which our Trust is only in the Lord, and our +Minds weaned from a Dependance on the Strength of Armies, hath appeared +to me very precious, and I often feel strong Desires, that we who +profess this Principle, may so walk, as to give just Cause for none of +our Fellow Creatures to be offended at us; 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_, Mat. xxiii. +9. 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, as an Inheritance from him, who formed, +and supports the World. Now in this Condition the true Enjoyment of the +good Things of this Life is understood, and that Blessing 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 the outward Power, be perplexed with secret +Uneasiness, lest the Injured should sometime overpower them, and that +Measure 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 the 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, and left as a Gift to his Children, +who being entangled by the same Worldly Spirit, have not attained to +that Clearness 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 Exercise of Mind, that the Sins of the +Fathers are embraced by the Children, and become their Sins, and thus of +the Days of Tribulation, the Iniquities in the Fathers are visited upon +these Children, who take hold of the Unrighteousness of their Fathers, +and live in that Spirit in which those Iniquities were committed; to +which 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_, Lev. xxvi. 39. and our blessed Lord in beholding the Hardness of +Heart in that Generation, and feeling in himself, that they lived in the +same Spirit in which the Prophets 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 Generation, from the +Blood of_ Abel, _unto the Blood of_ Zacharias, _who perished between the +Altar and the Temple_, Luke xi. 51. + +Tender Compassion fills my Heart towards 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 ourselves to his Holy Will; in this Condition, all our Wants and +Desires are bounded by pure Wisdom, and our Minds wholly attentive to +the Counsel of Christ inwardly communicated, which hath appeared to me +as a Habitation of Safety for the Lord's People, in Times of outward +Commotion 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, + _4th Month 1772_. + + + + +REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS. + +By JOHN WOOLMAN. + + _LONDON_: + Printed by MARY HINDE. + + +REMARKS &c. + + +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 preserv'd in Tenderness 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 disordering 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 Necessaries 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 Regard to a Profit to themselves +answerable to unnecessary Expence in their Families, while the Wages of +the other 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. + +Now I feel a Concern in the Spring of pure Love, that all who have +Plenty of outward Substance, may Example others in the right Use of +Things; may carefully look into the Condition of poor 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, raise up Families, and give them +suitable Education, it appears reasonable for them to be content 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 requiring 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 farther 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 +here on Earth_, Mat. vi. 19. + +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 here 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_, but to him who died for us. And as we are +thus united in Spirit to Christ, we are engaged to labour in promoting +that Work in the Earth for which he suffer'd. + +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 Unrighteousness, but is careful lest at any Time his Heart +be over-charg'd. + +In the harmonious Spirit of Society _Christ is all in all_, Col. iii. +11. + +Here it is that _old Things are past away, all Things are new, all +Things are of God_, 2 Cor. v. 17, 18, and the Desire for outward Riches +is at an End. + +They of low Degree who have small Gifts, enjoy their Help who have large +Gifts; those with their small Gifts, have a small degree of Care, while +these with their 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 faithful Stewards of the +Gifts of God, great Difficulties attend it. + +Now 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 Wars and great Calamities in the World, and a +Labour attends me to open it to others. + +Now 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 Living, as he whose Gifts of +Mind are greater, and whose Cares are more extensive. + +If some endowed with strong Understandings 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 Generation; 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 Treasures managed in any other Spirit, than +the Spirit of Truth, disordereth the Affairs of Society, for hereby the +good Gifts of God in this outward Creation are turned into the Channels +of Worldly Honour, and frequently applied to support Luxury, while the +Wages of poor Labourers are such, that with moderate Industry and +Frugality they may not live comfortably, raise up Families, and give +them suitable Education, but through the Streightness of their +Condition, are often drawn on to labour under Weariness, to toil through +Hardships themselves, and frequently to oppress those useful Animals +with which we are intrusted. + +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 the Friend and the +Governor are united in one, and oppressive Customs come to an End. + +Riches in the Hands of Individuals in Society, is 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 Government. + +The Earth, through the Labour of Men under the Blessing of him who +formed it, yieldeth a Supply for the Inhabitants from Generation to +Generation, and they who walk in the pure Light, their Minds are +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_, 2 Cor. vi. +18. + +When Wages in a fruitful Land bear so small a Proportion 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 +Oppression, or else omit that which appears to be a Duty. + +While this is the Case with the Poor, there is an Inclination 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 +these Hardships which the Poor pass through. + +Now this Subject requireth 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 these 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_, 1 John v. 12. _This Life is the Light of Men_, 1 John +1. 4. If we walk not in this Light, we walk in Darkness, and _he that +walketh in Darkness, knoweth not whither he goeth_, John xii. 35. + +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_, Isaiah lv. 4. Again; +_The Lord shall guide thee continually_, Isaiah lviii. 12. Again; _Lord, +thou wilt ordain Peace for us, for thou also hast wrought all our Works +in us_, Isaiah xxvi. 12. + +_In the Lord have we Righteousness and Strength_, Isaiah xlv. 24. + +In this State our Minds are preserved watchful in following the Leadings +of his Spirit in all our Proceedings in this World, 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 Narrowness +of natural Love, are afraid that their Children will be 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 embolden'd to +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. + +Now to keep faithful to the pure Counsellor, and under trying +Circumstances suffer Adversity for Righteousness Sake, in this there is +a Reward. + +If we, being poor, are hardly dealt with by those who are rich, and +under this Difficulty are frugal and industrious, and in true Humility +open our Case to them who oppress us, this may reach the pure Witness in +their Minds; 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, then we +experience the Truth of those Expressions, that, _as the Sufferings of +Christ abound in us, so our Consolation aboundeth by Christ_, 2 Cor. i. +5. + +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 Poverty, are +affected at Times with the Oppressions of the Poor, and feel a tender +Regard for our Posterity after us, O how necessary is it that we wait +for the pure Counsel of Truth! + +Many have seen the Hardships of the Poor, felt an eager Desire that +their Children may be put in a Way to escape these Hardships; but how +few have continued in that pure Love which openeth our Understandings 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_, 2 Cor. v. +7. + +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 enlarg'd toward +Mankind universally; but in departing from the true Light of Life, many +in striving to get Treasures have stumbled upon the dark Mountains. + +Now 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 open'd before me as a Place of Retirement for the Children of +the Light, where we may stand separated from that which disordereth 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 unnecessary Expences, many Wants have arisen, +the Minds of People have been employ'd in studying to get Wealth, and in +this Pursuit some departing from Equity, have retain'd a Profession of +Religion; others have look'd at their Example, and thereby been +strengthen'd to proceed further in the same Way: Thus many have +encourag'd the Trade of taking Men from _Africa_, and selling them as +Slaves. + +It hath been computed that near One Hundred Thousand Negroes have of +late Years been taken annually from that Coast, by Ships employed in the +_English_ Trade. + +As I have travell'd 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 professing _Christianity_, +not only kept ignorant of the Holy Scriptures, 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_, Isaiah lii. 5. + +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 Necessaries 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 Disadvantages 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, p. 125, speaking of the tender Feelings +of the Love of God in his Heart when he was a Child, 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-mindedness 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 hath 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 wrote 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 learn'd to talk _English_. + +I have sundry Times heard _Englishmen_ speak on this Subject, who have +been at _Africa_ on this Business; and from all these Accounts it +appears evident that great Violence 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 Inconvenience arise from their Number; but Slaves are taken +by Violence, and frequently endeavour to kill the white People, that +they may return to their Native Land. Hence they are frequently kept +under some Sort of Confinement, by Means of which a Scent ariseth in the +Hold of a Ship, and Distempers 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 Thousands are computed to die every Year, in what +is called the Seasoning. + +Thus it appears evident, that great Numbers of these People are brought +every Year to an untimely End; many of them being such who never injured +us. + +When the Innocent suffer under hard-hearted Men, 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_, Numb. xxxv. 33. + +When Blood hath been shed unrighteously, and remains unatoned for, the +Cry thereof is very piercing. + +Under the humbling Dispensations of Divine Providence, this Cry hath +deeply affected my Heart, and I feel 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 +exceeding great, when the Land was defiled with Blood, and the City full +of Perverseness_, Ezek. ix. 9. _some were found sighing and crying for +the Abominations of the Times_, Ezek. ix. 4. and such who live under a +right Feeling of our Condition as a Nation, these I trust will be +sensible that the 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 thro' the Examples one of another, +have often been unmoved at the most serious Warnings. + +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 destroy'd them +all_, Luke xvii. 27. + +The like he spake 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 Abundance of +Idleness was found in her, and in her Daughters; neither did she +strengthen the Hands of the Poor and Needy_, Ezek. xvi. 49. + +Now in a Revolt so deep as this, when much Blood has been shed +unrighteously, in carrying on the Slave Trade, and 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 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 Affliction; but in Divine Love the +Heart is enlarged towards Mankind universally, and prepar'd to +sympathize with Strangers, though in the lowest Station in Life. + +Of this the Prophet appears to have had a Feeling, when he said, _Have +we not all one Father? Hath not one God created us? Why then do we deal +treacherously every Man with his Brother, in prophaning the Covenant of +our Fathers?_ Mal. ii. 10. + +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 oppress'd People. Many Lives +have been shorten'd through extreme Oppression while they labour'd to +support Luxury and Worldly Greatness; and tho' 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 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 Advocate; 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 made to labour too hard, kept on a Diet +less comfortable than their weak State required, and exposed to great +Difficulties under 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 of my Parents. + +Innocent Youth taken by 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; placed under People, where +their Lives have been attended with great Provocation to Anger and +Revenge. + +With the Condition of these Youth, my Mind hath 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 minister'd 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 Conduct towards 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 Prophecy, _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 shall 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_, Isaiah lxi. 8, 9. + +But in the present State of Things, how contrary is this 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! + +How are the Sufferings of our blessed Redeemer set at nought, and his +Name blasphemed amongst the _Gentiles_, through the unrighteous +Proceedings of his profess'd Followers! + +My Mind hath 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; +this Work to me has been precious, and the Spreading the Knowledge of +the Truth amongst the _Gentiles_ been very desirable. And the professed +Followers of Christ joining in Customs evidently unrighteous, which +manifestly tend to stir up Wrath, and increase Wars and Desolations, +hath 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_, Job xvi. 4. + +If we consider ourselves and our Children as exposed to the Hardships +which these People lie under in supporting an imaginary Greatness. + +Did we in such Case behold 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 after us. + +Under all this Misery, had we none to plead our Cause, nor any Hope of +Relief from Man, how would our Cries ascend to the God of the Spirits of +all Flesh, who judgeth the World in Righteousness, and in his own Time +is a Refuge for the Oppressed! + +If they who thus afflicted us, continued to lay Claim to Religion, and +were assisted in their Business by others, esteemed pious People, who +through a Friendship with them strengthened their Hands in Tyranny. + +In such a State, when we were Hunger-bitten, and could not have +sufficient Nourishment but saw them in fulness pleasing their Taste with +Things fetched from far: + +When we were wearied with Labour, denied the Liberty to rest, and saw +them spending their Time at Ease: When Garments answerable to our +Necessities were denied us, while we saw them cloathed 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 mention'd in our Hearing, how would it sound in our Ears +like a Word which signified 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 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 Children, 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 an Eye-witness to what +passeth in getting these Slaves: + +Was the Blood which is there shed to be sprinkled on our Garments: + +Were the poor Captives bound with Thongs, 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 Things, 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 Tenderness 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 strength'ning +them in Error. + +It was the Command of the Lord through _Moses, Thou shalt not suffer Sin +upon thy Brother: Thou shalt in anywise rebuke thy Brother, and shalt +not suffer Sin upon him_, Lev. xix. 17. + +Again; _Keep far from a false Matter; and the Innocent and Righteous +slay thou not_, Exod. xxiii. 7. + +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_, Isaiah liv. 14. Now these +Words, _far from_, appear to have an extensive Meaning, and to convey +Instruction in regard to that of which _Solomon_ speaks, _Though Hand +join in Hand, the Wicked shall not go unpunished_, Prov. xvi. 5. + +It was a Complaint against one of old, _When thou sawest a Thief, thou +consentedst with him_, Psal. l. 18. + +The Prophet _Jeremiah_ represents the Degrees of Preparation 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_, Jer. vii. 18. + +It was a complaint of the Lord against _Israel_, through his Prophet +_Ezekiel_, that _they strengthen'd the Hands of the Wicked, and made the +Hearts of the Righteous sad_, Ezek. xiii. 12. + +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_, Hosea x. 13. + +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 Traffick, carried on in impure Channels. +Great is the Trade to _Africa_ for Slaves; and in loading these Ships +abundance of People are employ'd 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, and this hath spread from less to more, till Superfluity +of some Kind 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. + +And 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 example in a plain frugal Life, +and pay Wages to such 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, p. 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 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. + +The said _Gilbert_ found a Concern to write an Epistle, in which are +these Expressions; "Fear the Lord, ye Men of all Sorts, Trades, and +Callings, and leave off all the Evil that is in them, for the Lord is +grieved with all the Evils used in your Employments 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, _etc._ _George Fox_, in an Epistle, +writes thus: "Friends, stand in the Eternal Power of God, Witness +against the Pomps and Vanities of this World. + +"Such Tradesmen who stand as Witnesses in the Power of God, cannot +fulfil 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 Trust +first broke forth in _London_, many Tradesmen 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 answer'd the Truth in People's Hearts, and thus their Business +increased." Book of Doctrinals, Page 824. + +Now 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 respect different from +those which attended the Faithful in foregoing Ages, and through the +Constrainings of pure Love, are engaged to open the Feelings they have +to others. + +In faithfully following Christ, the Heart is weaned from the Desires 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 Allurements of that Gain, which we know is the Gain of +Unrighteousness. + +The Apostle speaking on this Subject, asketh this Question; _What +Fellowship hath Righteousness with Unrighteousness?_ 2 Cor. vi. 14. And +again saith, _Have no Fellowship with the unfruitful Works of Darkness, +but rather reprove them_, Ephes. v. 11. Again, _Be not Partaker of other +Men's Sins, keep thyself pure_, 1 Tim. v. 22. + +Where People through the Power of Christ are thoroughly settled in a +right Use of Things, freed from all unnecessary Care and Expence, 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 appeareth evident, that some Channels of Trade are defiled with +Unrighteousness, that the Minds of many are intent on getting Treasures +to support a Life, in which there are many unnecessary Expences. + +And 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 outwardly with clean Provender, that hath been winnowed with the +Shovel and the Fan, where we may _sow to ourselves in Righteousness, +reap in Mercy_, Hosea x. 12. and not be defiled with the Works of +Iniquity. + +Where Customs contrary to pure Wisdom are transmitted to Posterity, it +appears to be an Injury committed against them; and I often feel tender +Compassion toward a young Generation, and 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. + +Now what pious Father beholding his Son placed in one of these Ships, to +learn the Practice of a Mariner, could forbear 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 Seafaring Life in +general. + +In the Trade carried on from the _West-Indies_, and from some Part of +the Continent, the Produce of the Labour of Slaves is a considerable +Part. + +And Sailors who are frequently at Ports where Slaves abound, and +converse often with People who oppress without the Appearance of +Remorse, and often with Sailors employ'd in the Slave Trade, how +powerfully do these evil Examples spread amongst the Seafaring Youth! + +I have had many Opportunities to feel and understand the general State +of the Seafaring Life amongst us, and my Mind hath often been sad on +Account of so many Lads and young Men been 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 Nations 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. Fewer People would be +employed in Vanities and Superfluities. + +The Inhabitants of Cities would be less in Number. + +Those who have much Lands would become Fathers to the Poor. + +More People would be employed in the sweet Employment 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_. John xiii. 34. + +He loved _Lazarus_, yet in his Sickness 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 Message attended with +great Difficulty, amongst Hard-hearted People, some of whom would think +that in killing them they did God Service. + +So deep is Divine Love, that in stedfastly abiding in it, we are +prepar'd to deny ourselves of all that 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 +Superfluities, and spread by little and little, even among 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. And in striving to supply these Wants many +have exacted on the Poor, many have enter'd on Employments, in which +they often labour in upholding Pride and Vanity. Many have looked on one +another, been strengthen'd in these Things, one by the Example of +another, and as to the pure Divine Seeing, Dimness hath come over many, +and the Channels of true Brotherly Love been obstructed. + +People may have no intention to oppress, yet by entering on expensive +Ways of Life, their Minds may be so entangled therein, and so engag'd to +support expensive Customs, as to be estranged from the pure sympathizing +Spirit. + +As I have travell'd 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 Proportion between Labour and the 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 Publick. + +Such who are strong and healthy may do that Business, which to the +Weakly may be oppressive; and in performing that in a Day which is +esteem'd a Day's Labour, by weakly Persons in the Field and in the +Shops, and by weakly Women who spin and knit in the Manufactories, they +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 Hardships of the Poor are sometimes increased +through Want of a more agreeable Nourishment, more plentiful Fewel for +the Fire, and warmer Cloathing 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, 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 heavy on the Poor, while they who live in these Customs are so +entangled in a Multitude of unnecessary Concerns that they think but +little of the Hardships which the poor People go through. + + +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 Expence ariseth in Relation to that which is call'd Divine +Worship. + +A considerable Part of this Expence is applied toward outward Greatness, +and many poor People in raising of Tithe, labour in supporting Customs +contrary to the Simplicity that there is in Christ, toward whom my Mind +hath often been moved with Pity. + +In pure silent Worship, we dwell under the Holy Anointing, and feel +Christ to be our Shepherd. + +Here the best of Teachers ministers to the several Conditions of his +Flock, and the Soul receives immediately from the Divine Fountain, that +with which it is nourished. + +As I have travelled at Times where those of other Societies have +attended our Meetings, and have perceiv'd how little some of them knew +of the Nature of silent Worship; I have felt tender Desires in my Heart +that we who often sit silent in our Meetings, may live answerable 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 Expence which lieth on that which is +called Divine Service in many Places, and so much are the Minds of many +People employ'd in outward Forms and Ceremonies, that the opening of an +inward silent Worship in this Nation to me hath appeared to be a +precious Opening. + +Within the last four Hundred Years, many pious People have been deeply +exercised in Soul on Account of the Superstition which prevailed amongst +the professed Followers 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 Understandings of many have been +opened, and the Minds of People, from Age to Age, been more and more +prepared for a real spiritual Worship. + +My Mind is often affected with a Sense of the Condition of those People +who in different Ages have been meek and patient, following Christ +through great Afflictions: And while I behold the several Steps, of +Reformation, and that Clearness, to which through Divine Goodness, 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. + + + + +SOME EXPRESSIONS OF JOHN WOOLMAN IN HIS LAST ILNESS. + + _LONDON_: + Printed by MARY HINDE. + + + + +SOME EXPRESSIONS, &c. + +Being in the Course of his religious Visit at _York_, and having +attended most of the Sittings of the Quarterly-Meeting there, held in +the Ninth Month, 1772, he was taken ill of the _Small Pox_, in which +Disorder he continued about two Weeks, at Times under great Affliction +of Body, and then departed in full Assurance of a happy Eternity, as the +following Expressions, amongst others, taken from his own Mouth, do +plainly evidence. + +One Day 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." +Some Time after he said, "He was sensible the Pains of Death must be +hard to bear, but if he escaped them now, he must some Time pass through +them, and did not know he could be better prepared, but had no Will in +it." Said, "He had settled his outward Affairs to his Mind; 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 an Hope they will be provided +for." And a little after said, "This Trial is made easier than I could +have thought, by my Will being wholly taken away; for if I was anxious +as to the Event, it would be harder, but I am not, and my Mind enjoys a +perfect Calm." + +In the Night a young Woman having given him something to drink, he said, +"My Child, thou seemest very kind to me, a poor Creature, the Lord will +reward thee for it." A while after he cried out with great Earnestness +of Spirit, "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 replied, "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 put into his Journal, +he said, "I believe the Lord will now excuse me from Exercises of this +Kind, and 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 whatever 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 come over his Mind +like a Whirlwind, yet it had hitherto been kept steady, and center'd in +everlasting Love." Adding, "And if that's mercifully continued, I ask +nor desire no more." + +At another Time he said, "He had long had a View of visiting this +Nation; and some Time before he came, he 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 People +as clear as ever he had seen Flowers in a Garden; but in his going on he +was suddenly stopt, though he could not see for what End, but looked +towards Home, and in that fell into a Flood of Tears, which waked him." +At another Time he said, "My Draught seem'd strongest to 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." + +Having repeatedly consented to take a Medicine with a View to settle his +Stomach, but without Effect, the Friend then waiting on him, said, +through Distress, "What shall I do now?" He answered with great +Composure, "Rejoice evermore, and in every Thing give Thanks." But added +a little after, "This is sometimes hard to come at." + +One Morning early he brake forth in Supplication on this wise; "Oh Lord! +it was thy Power that enabled me to forsake Sin in my Youth, and I have +felt thy Bruises since for Disobedience, but as I bowed under them thou +healedst me; and though I have gone through many Trials and sore +Afflictions, thou hast been with me, continuing a Father and a Friend. I +feel thy Power now, and beg that in the approaching trying Moments, thou +wilt keep my Heart steadfast unto thee." Upon his giving the same Friend +Directions concerning some little Matters, she said, "I will take Care, +but hope thou mayst live to order them thyself;" he replied, "My Hope is +in Christ; and though I may now seem a little better, a Change in the +Disorder may soon happen, and my little Strength be dissolved, and if it +so happen, I shall be gather'd to my everlasting Rest." On her saying, +"She did not doubt that, but could not help mourning to see so many +faithful Servants removed at so low a Time," he said, "All Goodness +cometh from the Lord, whose Power is the same, and he can work as he +sees best." The same Day, after giving her Directions about wrapping his +Corpse, and perceiving her to weep, he said, "I had rather thou wouldst +guard against Weeping or Sorrowing for me, my Sister; I sorrow not, +though I have had some painful Conflicts; but now they seem over, and +Matters all settled, and I look at the Face of my dear Redeemer, for +sweet is his Voice, and his Countenance comely." + +Being very weak, and in general difficult to be understood, he uttered a +few Words in Commemoration of the Lord's Goodness to him; and added, +"How tenderly have I been waited upon 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 relieved by them, and their Distresses +at such a Time as this, in some degree softened by the administring of +suitable Things." + +An Apothecary who attended him of his own Accord (he being unwilling to +have any sent for) appeared very anxious to assist him, with whom +conversing, he queried about the Probability of such a Load of Matter +being thrown off his weak Body, and the Apothecary making some Remarks, +implying he thought it might, he spoke with an audible Voice on this +wise: "My Dependance is in the Lord Jesus Christ, 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 trying to assist Nature, in order to +lengthen out my Life, I submit." After this, 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, being the 7th of the Tenth Month, +1772, 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 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 so expired without Sigh, Groan, or Struggle. + + * * * * * + +_Note_, He often said, "It was hid from him, whether he might recover, +or not, and he was not desirous to know it; but from his own Feeling of +the Disorder, and his feeble Constitution, thought he should not." + + +FINIS + + +THE TEMPLE PRESS, PRINTERS, LETCHWORTH + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of John Woolman's Journal, by John Woolman + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOHN WOOLMAN'S JOURNAL *** + +***** This file should be named 37311-8.txt or 37311-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/3/1/37311/ + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Michael, Mary Meehan and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: John Woolman's Journal + +Author: John Woolman + +Commentator: Vida Scudder + +Release Date: September 4, 2011 [EBook #37311] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOHN WOOLMAN'S JOURNAL *** + + + + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Michael, Mary Meehan and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<h1>EVERYMAN'S LIBRARY</h1> + +<h2>EDITED BY ERNEST RHYS</h2> + + +<h3>BIOGRAPHY</h3> + + +<h1>JOHN WOOLMAN'S JOURNAL</h1> + +<p class="center">WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY<br /> +VIDA D. SCUDDER</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p>THE PUBLISHERS OF <i>EVERYMAN'S LIBRARY</i> WILL BE PLEASED TO SEND FREELY TO +ALL APPLICANTS A LIST OF THE PUBLISHED AND PROJECTED VOLUMES TO BE +COMPRISED UNDER THE FOLLOWING TWELVE HEADINGS:</p> + + +<p class="center">TRAVEL<br /> +SCIENCE<br /> +FICTION<br /> +THEOLOGY & PHILOSOPHY<br /> +HISTORY<br /> +CLASSICAL<br /> +FOR YOUNG PEOPLE<br /> +ESSAYS<br /> +ORATORY<br /> +POETRY & DRAMA<br /> +BIOGRAPHY<br /> +ROMANCE</p> + + +<p>IN TWO STYLES OF BINDING, CLOTH, FLAT BACK, COLOURED TOP, AND LEATHER, +ROUND CORNERS, GILT TOP.</p> + + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">London</span>: J. M. DENT & SONS, <span class="smcap">Ltd.</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">New York</span>: E. P. DUTTON & CO.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/illus.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + + +<p>A GOOD BOOK IS THE PRECIOUS LIFE-BLOOD OF A MASTER SPIRIT EMBALMED & +TREASURED UPON PURPOSE TO A LIFE BEYOND LIFE—MILTON</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>THE JOURNAL <i>with other</i> WRITINGS <i>of</i> JOHN WOOLMAN</h2> + +<p class="center">LONDON: PUBLISHED<br /> +by J. M. DENT & SONS <span class="smcap">Ltd</span><br /> +AND IN NEW YORK<br /> +BY E. P. DUTTON & CO</p> + +<p class="center"><i>All rights reserved</i></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</a></span></p> + +<h3>INTRODUCTION</h3> + + +<p>From the days of Charles Lamb to those of Dr. Eliot of Harvard, the +unique charm and worth of the <i>Journal of John Woolman</i> have been +signalled by a thinker of distinction here and there, and the book, if +not widely known, has quietly found its way to many hearts and been +reprinted in sundry editions. The more formal works, however, in which +this gentle and audacious eighteenth-century Quaker-preacher spoke out +his whole careful mind have been for the most part neglected. These +works are sometimes prosy, always indifferent to style in their +unflinching quest for "pure wisdom," often concerned with the dead issue +of negro slavery. Yet even in this last case they have much value as +historic documents; no full knowledge of Woolman's spirit is possible +without them; and not to know that spirit in its entirety is a distinct +loss.</p> + +<p>The present edition, while making no claim to critical completeness, +presents the main accessible body of Woolman's writings. Here is a well +of purest water, "dug deep," to use the Quaker phrase. The mere +limpidity of the water will be joy enough for some: others gazing into +it may feel that they see down to the proverbial Truth—the very origin +of things, the foundations of the moral universe.</p> + +<p>A studious moderation of utterance is the first quality to make itself +felt in Woolman's works. To casual or jaded readers who crave the +word-embroidery, the heightened note, of the romanticist in style, the +result may seem colourless. Here is a lack of adjectives, an entire +absence of emphasis, a systematic habit of under-statement that, in the +climax of a paragraph or the crisis of an emotion, seems at times almost +ludicrous. Yet to the reader of severer taste, this very absence of +emphasis, so quaintly sober, so sensitive in its unfaltering reticence, +becomes the choicest grace of Woolman's style. As is the style, so is +the man.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</a></span> Woolman "studied to be quiet," and his steady self-discipline +was rewarded by a scrupulous yet instinctive control over the finest +shades of verity in speech and life. In the youthful trouble of deep +religious feeling, when he "went to meetings," as he expressively tell +us, "in an awful frame of mind," he spoke a few words one day, under "a +strong exercise of spirit." "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 +anything." The mistake was not often repeated; for as he writes in +memorable words: "As I was thus humbled and disciplined under the Cross, +my understanding became more strengthened to distinguish the pure spirit +that inwardly moves upon the heart, and taught me to wait in silence, +sometimes for many weeks together, till I felt that rise which prepares +the creature to stand like a trumpet through which the Lord speaks to +His flock." A fine passage towards the end of the <i>Journal</i> shows that +the danger of speaking without this "pure spirit" was ever present to +him. "Many love to hear eloquent orations, and if there is not a careful +attention 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 they +going from the Gift have kindled; and that in hearers which has gone +from the meek suffering state into the worldly wisdom, may be warmed +with this fire and speak highly of these labours. In this journey, a +labour hath attended my mind that the ministers amongst us may be +preserved in the meek, feeling life of truth." No man could so keenly +analyse the snare of fluency and popularity, who had not spent a life on +guard. The reserve of his writings is a natural consequence. One +searches these pages in vain, often controversial though they be, for a +single point in which the note is forced or emotion escapes control.</p> + +<p>Yet the emotional intensity concealed beneath this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[Pg ix]</a></span> equable habit of +soul, is evident from the first line to the last. In the fine phrase of +the Friends after his death, Woolman "underwent many deep baptisms;" how +deep, the <i>Journal</i> reveals. He was a man of impassioned tenderness. +Even as a child he saw "that as the mind is moved by an inward principle +to love God as an invisible, incomprehensible Being, so by the same +principle it is moved to love Him in all his manifestations in the +visible world. That as by his breath the flame of life has kindled in +all sensible creatures, to say that 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." Woolman did +not only say these things, he felt them. He is among the great lovers of +the world. His tenderness for animals was always keen, from the days in +which, as he has told us, he suffered childish remorse from having +killed a robin, to his last voyage, when in the midst of personal +suffering, he noted pityingly the dull and pining appearance of the +"dunghill fowls" on board. "I believe," he writes, "where the love of +God is verily perfected, a care will be felt that we do not lessen that +sweetness of life in the animal creation which the great Creator intends +for them under our government."</p> + +<p>He who so sympathised with the robin and the cock was filled with a +yearning compassion for the sorrows of humanity. Of him as of Shelley it +might well be said, "He was as a nerve o'er which do creep the else +unfelt oppressions of the earth." We read of his appetite failing +through the agitation of his mind over human pain and his relations to +it. In his last illness he broke forth in words that might have been +uttered by S. Catherine of Siena: "O 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-beings separated from +the divine harmony, and it was heavier than I could bear; I was crushed +down under it." All great lovers are great sufferers: Woolman was no +exception to the rule.</p> + +<p>If he knew deep sorrow he knew deep joy also, as all must do who like +him "live under the Cross and simply<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[Pg x]</a></span> follow the operations of Truth." +More is unuttered than uttered in the <i>Journal</i>, yet through its +silences we may read an inner experience akin to that of Bunyan or +Pascal. Like these great protagonists of the Spirit, he knew a peace +given "not as the world giveth." For peace can be where ease is not. +Decorous son of an unillumined century, John Woolman is of the company +of the Mystics. He is of those led by the Shepherd of Souls beside the +still waters. He has suggested his own secret: "Some glances of real +beauty may be seen in their faces who dwell in true meekness. There is a +harmony in the 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 those who have not felt it; but this white stone and new +name are known rightly only to such as have them." "Pure" is the central +word of the <i>Journal</i>, and the beauty of pure contemplative quietude is +the final impression conveyed by this record so full of anguish over the +sorrows of humanity and of unflinching witness against wickedness, borne +at the expense of the crucifixion of the natural man.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>A chief value of Woolman's works consists in his serene application of +his mystical intuitions to the affairs of this world. He who "dwelt deep +in an inward stillness" studied his age with a penetrating sagacity that +allowed no evasions. The man so carefully on his guard against +extravagance was a reformer who pushed his demands, as some would think, +almost beyond the border of sanity. No temper was ever more opposed to +fanaticism: yet many readers may question whether he escaped the doom of +the fanatic. And the most pertinent reason for a re-issue of his works +at this juncture is, that in our own day so many hearts are troubled +like his own. A generation seeking guidance on the path of social duty +will find here a precursor of Ruskin and Tolstoi, a man whose thought, +despite the quaintness of his diction, has a quite extraordinary +modernness, and whose searchings of conscience are none of them +familiar.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[Pg xi]</a></span></p> + +<p>The main contemporary issue that agitated Woolman was of course the +slave-trade, and he was long regarded all but exclusively as a herald of +the anti-slavery movement. But the Fabian Society did well to suggest, +in reprinting one of his tracts, the broader scope of his thinking. It +will be evident from this edition that his horror of chattel slavery was +one incident only in that general attitude toward civilisation which +drew from him the bitter cry: "Under a sense of deep revolt and an +overflowing stream of unrighteousness, my life has often been a life of +mourning." The central evil which he opposed was, in brief, the +exploitation of labour: the ideal which he sought was a society in which +no man should need to profit by the degradation of his fellow-men. For +economic analysis of the modern type one naturally looks in vain; moral +analysis of social relations has, however, rarely been carried farther. +These little essays "On Labour," "On the Right Use of the Lord's Outward +Gifts," "On Loving our Neighbour," these "Considerations on the True +Harmony of Mankind," this "Word of Remembrance and Caution to the Rich," +reveal through their quaint formalities of phrase a searching spirit not +to be outdone to-day.</p> + +<p>Woolman felt "a concern in the spring of pure love, that all who have +plenty of outward substance may example others in the right use of +things, may carefully look into the condition of poor people, and beware +of exacting of them in regard to their wages." He was solicitous, as +many have been since his day, over the perplexities of those who seek to +combine a due care for their own families with consideration for the +wage-earner, "in a fruitful land where the wages bear so small a +proportion to the necessaries of life." "There are few if any," he says +truly, "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 heavy +upon the poor, while they who live in these customs are so entangled in +a multitude of unnecessary concerns that they think but little of the +hardships the poor people go through." To lessen these "concerns," thus +to emancipate the labourer from a part<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xii" id="Page_xii">[Pg xii]</a></span> of the crushing burden of +production, became his central thought. "In beholding that unnecessary +toil which many go through in supporting outward greatness, and +procuring delicacies; in beholding how the true calmness of life is +changed into hurry, and that many, by eagerly pursuing outward treasure, +are in danger of withering as to the inward state of the mind; in +meditating on the works of this spirit, and the desolations it makes +among the professors of Christianity, I may thankfully acknowledge that +I often feel pure love beget longings in my mind for the exaltation of +the peaceable Kingdom of Christ, and an engagement to labour according +to the Gift bestowed upon me for promoting an humble, plain, temperate +way of living."</p> + +<p>The Simple Life is then Woolman's plea, and the necessity for social +sacrifice the burden of his teaching. This plea he presents with no +vagueness or Wagnerian sentimentality, but with an alarming precision of +outline.</p> + +<p>No man ever described better the insensible growth of worldly convention +into that custom which "lies upon us with a weight heavy as frost and +deep almost as life." Noting the gradual lapse of the Friends from their +earlier standards of unworldliness, he says: "These things, though done +in calmness without any show of disorder, do yet deprave the mind in +like manner and with as great certainty as prevailing cold congeals +water." And again, "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, till a departure from +the simplicity that is in Christ becomes as distinguishable as light +from darkness to such who are crucified to the world." So the +generations as they pass slip further and further from "pure wisdom," +for "the customs of their parents, and their neighbours, working upon +their minds, and they from thence conceiving 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiii" id="Page_xiii">[Pg xiii]</a></span> Purity." Woolman is too +wise to feel resentment against those so hardened; rather he says, +"Compassion hath filled my heart toward my fellow-creatures involved in +customs, grown up in the wisdom of this world, which is foolishness with +God."</p> + +<p>To his own spirit, we may well apply the description in the little essay +on "Merchandising," of the growing sensitiveness among the faithful +friends of Christ, who "inwardly breathe that His Kingdom may come on +earth" and "learn to be very attentive to the means He may appoint for +promoting pure righteousness." His ideal is "that state in which Christ +is the Light of our life," so that "our labours stand in the true +harmony of society." "In this state," he writes, "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." When we consider the deepening +desire in our own day to lessen for the next generation that intolerable +burden of social compunction which rests upon ourselves, may we perhaps +dare to hope that this blessed "state," in which John Woolman himself +constantly abode, is becoming common?</p> + +<p>The definite issues suggested in these pages are often surprisingly +modern. Now the fine old Quaker is perturbed over the question of +tainted money: "Have the gifts and possessions received by me from +others been conveyed in a way free from all unrighteousness so far as I +have seen?" Now he notes the evils of over-work: "I have observed that +too much labour not only makes the understanding dull, but so intrudes +upon the harmony of the body that, after ceasing from our toil, we have +another to pass through before we can enjoy the sweetness of rest," and +proceeds to plead with energy for mercy and moderation in the standard +of toil exacted from the poor. "The condition of many who dwell in +cities," had "affected him with brotherly sympathy." Again we find him +touching on the problem of dangerous trades, or analysing with the +puzzle of the pioneer the ancient fallacy that the production of +luxuries relieves economic distress—a fallacy to which he gives in +quaint phrase a sound refutal. In the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiv" id="Page_xiv">[Pg xiv]</a></span> fifth chapter of the "Word of +Remembrance," the interested reader will find a remarkable and very +beautiful prophecy of the central principle of the settlement movement. +And so we might go on.</p> + +<p>In the twelfth century Woolman's solution would probably have been found +in withdrawal from the evil world to the purity of desert or convent. +Not so in the eighteenth. He remained among his brethren, bearing on his +heart the burden of the common guilt: he was one of the first people to +perceive that the moral sense must control not only our obvious but also +our hidden relations with our fellows. And his experience may be said to +mark the exact point where the individualism of the Puritan age broke +down, unable to stand the strain of the growing sense of social +solidarity. The intense but often naïvely self-centred conception of the +religious life common to a Bunyan and an Edwardes had proved inadequate, +and a new demand for an extension of Christianity to the remotest +reaches of practical life, till human society be transformed in its +depth and its breadth by a supernatural power, was consciously born.</p> + +<p>Yet if Woolman's problem be social, his solution is individualistic. It +is found in a resolute endeavour to clear his own life of any dependence +on evil. Among the many experiments on the same lines, none more +thorough-going is recorded; he pushed consistency to a farther point +than Tolstoi or Thoreau. It is the story of this experiment that he +tells us in the <i>Journal</i>, with a rare sincerity. See him as a lad, +starting out peaceably at his trade of tailor, easily reaching +commercial success—for Woolman possessed practical ability,—but +"perceiving merchandise to be attended with much cumber," and deciding +accordingly not to develop his business. Watch from this time the +interaction of two co-operating forces, a craving for personal purity, +and a horror of profiting by human pain,—and note that while the first +impulse never waned, the second became more and more constraining. The +record of his various "concerns" is delightfully human and appealing. He +hated to be morally fussy, and the necessity of violating good breeding +at the call of conscience caused him acute<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xv" id="Page_xv">[Pg xv]</a></span> distress, for he had an +ingrained instinct of good manners. Yet though "the exercise was heavy," +he bravely took his elders to task on occasion: refused to accept free +hospitality from slave-holders, forcing money on them for his +entertainment; and, what is still harder, laboured with his friends. +"Thou who travels in the work of the ministry, and art made very welcome +by thy friends, it is good for thee to dwell deep that thou mayest feel +and understand the spirits of people.... 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 disqualified by a superficial friendship.... 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." A man, sensitive, humble, and +well-bred as Woolman evidently was, who can write thus, is pretty sure +to know "deep exercises that are mortifying to the creaturely will." +Some of his concerns, as those relating to the payment of taxes and the +entertainment of soldiers, were common to the Friends; others are +apparently inventions of his own. As time went on they increased and +multiplied, all practically springing from the common root, the desire +to avoid the oppression of the poor. Greed and the wish for ease came to +seem a root of all evil. Travelling among the Indians, he felt the +intimate relation of their misfortunes to the hunger of the English race +for luxury and land. The use of dyes harmful to the worker forced him to +wear undyed garments, even though to his meek distress a passing fashion +of white hats made him run the danger of being confounded with the +children of this world. A concern came upon him to go on foot in his +preaching journeys: at first apparently that he might, like his Master, +appear in the form of a servant; later, that he might have no complicity +in the miseries suffered by the little post-boys employed in the +chaises. Nothing is clearer to the reader of the <i>Journal</i> than the +rapid increase of this holy or foolish sensitiveness. Seeking not to +trade with oppressors, he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xvi" id="Page_xvi">[Pg xvi]</a></span> refuses to gratify his palate with sugars +prepared by the slave labour: under inward pressure to visit the West +Indies, he has anxious scruples about taking passage on a ship owned by +the West India Company, but decides that he may do so if he pays a sum +sufficiently larger than that demanded to compensate the labour involved +on another basis than that of slavery. At last—and here the crisis of +his experience draws near—he feels himself inwardly bound to go to +England; and decides that it is his duty to travel in the steerage, +because forsooth the adornments of the cabin have cost vain and +degrading labour. The horrors of a steerage passage in those days are +well known to us from other sources; and among our visions of the +martyrs of Truth we may well preserve the picture of John Woolman, his +patient Quaker face upturned at midnight through the hatch, panting for +a breath of air. Through the studied quiet of the narrative, the +shrinking of the flesh can plainly be felt. The whole story at this +point palpitates with a solemn pain and an exceeding peace. As usual, +the sufferings of others form the larger part of his pain: he is wracked +with sympathy for the sailors, and moved to a grieved indignant study of +their temptations and afflictions which is good reading still to-day. +Arrived in England, his experience deepens. As usual, he writes without +emphasis: but his distress and tenderness are in every line. In a +passage that reads as if penned by Engels or Rowntree, he makes careful +pitying note of the scale of wages and cost of living, and cries out +sharply, "Oh, may the wealthy consider the poor! May those who have +plenty lay these things to heart!" We perceive that he is realising with +increasing perplexity the extraordinary intricacy with which "the spirit +of oppression" is entwined with the most innocent and necessary +pursuits. "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' so to direct us in our outward employments +that pure universal love may shine forth in our proceedings." In +"bowedness of spirit" he proceeds northward, and it is evident that the +body is growing weaker as he makes his silent laborious way on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xvii" id="Page_xvii">[Pg xvii]</a></span> foot, +bearing from town to town the message of his Lord. He is offered to +drink when thirsty, in silver vessels, and declines, "telling his case +with weeping." Disgusted, "being but weakly," with "the scent arising +from that filth which more or less infects the air of all closely +settled towns," he feels distress both in body and mind with that which +is impure, and a longing "that people might come in to cleanness of +spirit, cleanness of person, and cleanness about their houses and +garments:" noting at the same time, with his accustomed sagacity, that +"some who are great carry delicacy to a great height themselves, and yet +real cleanliness is not generally promoted." So continues his travail of +soul, recorded in these pathetic and illumined pages, and before long +the fatal disorder, small-pox, seizes upon him. He dies among strangers +after lying patiently through his illness in the spirit of prayer, still +saying characteristically to the young apothecary Friend with whom he +had "found a freedom to confer," "that if anything should be proposed as +to medicine that did not come through defiled channels or oppressive +hands, he should be willing to consider and take it so far as he found +freedom." Almost his last words, when already he could hardly be +understood, are charged with his steady social compunction.</p> + +<p>Dear John Woolman! Pure and high spirit, incapable of evasion, +noteworthy no less for restraint and gentleness than for the resolute +determination to translate the undimmed vision of the Perfect Right into +terms of our daily existence! Whither would his "concerns" have carried +him, had not the Angel of Small-Pox ended his wistful and unrelenting +quest? He died in 1772, having lived his life before the industrial +revolution, in days which we are wont to envy as simpler and less beset +by social problems than our own. Certainly they were days in which the +network of human relations was far less intricate than now. Yet the +process in which he was engaged reached out to limits beyond our power +to scan, and his experience is in one point of view an heroic <i>reductio +ad absurdum</i>. No more instructive attempt was ever made to attain +personal purity while neither withdrawing from the world nor +transforming it. To-day the number is on the increase of persons who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xviii" id="Page_xviii">[Pg xviii]</a></span> +suffer under the sense of social guilt. All who know such suffering and +are inclined to think the conversion of individuals adequate as an +ultimate remedy, will do well to ponder these pages. For the conclusion +is forced on us that Woolman was in an <i>impasse</i>: and while we love and +reverence the heavenly sturdiness of soul possessed by this +eighteenth-century saint, we must recognise with amusement touched by +tenderness the hopelessness of his efforts to attain personal purity, +the ridiculous extremes of isolation into which such a conscientious +effort, if logically carried out, would lead us. The definite inference +from Woolman's life and thought will be for most modern people the +conviction of the hopelessness of the attempt to achieve, by individual +means and private effort, a satisfying social righteousness in an +unchanged world.</p> + +<p>After all, Woolman's trouble and sorrow and tumult of spirit, so +suggestive, so helpful to modern souls, were transitory. At the heart of +his "endless agitation" subsisted a "central peace." His was the grace +to know that "deep humility is a strong bulwark," and to "look less at +the effects of the labour than at the pure motion and reality of the +concern." The gentleness with which he delivered his fiery message was +more than a manner due to Quaker training, or even than a result of +resolute self-discipline: it was the index of an inward stillness in +which his soul dwelt undisturbed. Let us hope that the days may come +when the "concern" about profiting by the painful or degrading labour of +others will have an interest as exclusively historic as the "concern" +about holding slaves has already attained. Tremulously it may be, yet +soberly and joyously, many clear-minded and practical people are +beginning to hope for such a day. When it comes, the immediate message +of Woolman will be less cogent, but he will still continue to be read by +those who care for the revelations of a beautiful soul. These pages +offer more than light on the path of social duty; they offer fellowship +with a spirit that "dwelt deep," and attained an abiding loveliness +because responsive through all turmoil of spirit and all outward +suffering, to the "gentle movings of Uncreated Purity." "That purity of +life,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xix" id="Page_xix">[Pg xix]</a></span> wrote he, "which proceeds from faithfulness in following the +Spirit of Truth, 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 disordereth and confuseth the affairs of +society." Such a "place of retirement for the Children of the Light," +this book affords.</p> + +<p class="right">VIDA D. SCUDDER.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3>BIBLIOGRAPHY</h3> + + +<p>Some Considerations on the Keeping of Negroes, recommended to the +Professors of Christianity of every Denomination, Part I., 1754; Part +II., 1762; many later issues of both parts; Considerations on Pure +Wisdom and Human Policy, on Labour, Schools, and the Right Use of the +Lord's Outward Gifts, 1768, and numerous later reprints; Considerations +on the True Harmony of Mankind, and how it is to be Maintained, 1770, +and later reprints; an Epistle to the Quarterly and Monthly Meetings of +Friends, 1772; Remarks on Sundry Subjects, 1773, and later reprints; +Serious Considerations on Various Subjects of Importance (containing the +four above works, and some expressions of John Woolman in his last +illness), 1773; A First Book for Children, 1774 (?); A Journal of the +Life, Gospel, Labours, and Christian Experiences of John Woolman, 1774, +and many later editions; with Introduction by John Greenleaf Whittier, +1871; with Introduction by A. Smellie, and Appreciation by J. G. +Whittier (Books of the Heart), 1898; new century edition, with +bibliography, etc., 1900; with foreword by Rev. R. J. Campbell, 1903; A +Word of Remembrance and Caution to the Rich, 1793; later editions, +published by Fabian Society, 1898, 1908.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Letters</span>: Edited by J. Kendall (Letters on Religious Subjects, vol. ii.), +1820; by J. and I. Comly (<i>Friends' Miscellany</i>, vol. i.), 1834; in +<i>Journal</i>, and in <i>Friends' Review</i>, vols. v.-xxviii.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Works</span>: 1774; 5th edition, 1818.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Life</span>: Saint John Woolman (<i>Eclectic Review</i>), 1861; David Duncan, +paper read at Manchester Friends' Institute, 1871; Dora Greenwell, 1871; +W. Garrett Horder, A Quaker Saint (<i>The Young Man</i>), 1874; reprinted in +Quaker Worthies, 1896; T. Green, 1885, with Introduction by H. C. G. +Moule, 1897; Sketch of the Life of John Woolman (Booklet Series, No. 6), +1896; in Present Day Papers, vol. iii., 1900; a poem by Bernard Barton, +"A Tribute to the Memory of John Woolman," appeared in vol. iii. of <i>The +Friend</i>, and references to Woolman are found in Lamb, and in H. Crabb +Robinson's Diary.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> + +<table width="75%"> +<tr><td><a href="#ADVERTISEMENT"><span class="smcap">Advertisement to the Reader</span></a></td><td align="right">3</td></tr> +<tr><td><a href="#THE_TESTIMONY_OF_FRIENDS_IN_YORKSHIRE"><span class="smcap">The Testimony of Friends in Yorkshire</span></a></td><td align="right">5</td></tr> +<tr><td><a href="#A_TESTIMONY_OF_THE_MONTHLY-MEETING_OF_FRIENDS"><span class="smcap">A Testimony of the Monthly-Meeting of Friends</span></a></td><td align="right">9</td></tr> +<tr><td><a href="#A_JOURNAL_OF_THE_LIFE_AND_TRAVELS_OF_JOHN_WOOLMAN_In_the_Service_of_the"><span class="smcap">A Journal of the Life and Travels of John Woolman</span></a></td><td align="right">17</td></tr> +<tr><td><a href="#THE_LAST_EPISTLE_OTHER_WRITINGS_OF_JOHN_WOOLMAN"><span class="smcap">The Last Epistle and Other Writings</span></a></td><td align="right">159</td></tr> +<tr><td><a href="#CONSIDERATIONS_ON_THE_TRUE_HARMONY_OF_MANKIND_AND_How_it_is_to_be"><span class="smcap">Considerations on the True Harmony of Mankind</span></a></td><td align="right">177</td></tr> +<tr><td><a href="#AN_EPISTLE_TO_THE_QUARTERLY_AND_MONTHLY_MEETINGS_OF_FRIENDS"><span class="smcap">An Epistle to the Quarterly and Monthly-Meetings of Friends</span></a></td><td align="right">203</td></tr> +<tr><td><a href="#REMARKS_ON_SUNDRY_SUBJECTS"><span class="smcap">Remarks on Sundry Subjects</span></a></td><td align="right">219</td></tr> +<tr><td><a href="#SOME_EXPRESSIONS_OF_JOHN_WOOLMAN_IN_HIS_LAST_ILNESS"><span class="smcap">Some Expressions of John Woolman in his Last Illness</span></a></td><td align="right">245</td></tr> +</table> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3>THE JOURNAL</h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="ADVERTISEMENT" id="ADVERTISEMENT"></a>ADVERTISEMENT TO THE READER</h2> + + +<p>The manuscript JOURNAL of our late Friend <span class="smcap">John Woolman</span>, was ended in +<i>England</i>; where he also finished all his Labours. It appears, by a +Letter which he sent, in his last Illness, to a Friend in <i>London</i>, that +he did not intend the whole should be printed, and that he desired the +said Friend to revise what he had written in this Nation, and leave out +such Parts as he should think proper. It was, notwithstanding, sent +entire, without any Alteration, to <i>America</i>; where it was soon after +printed, together with several Tracts which had been published in his +Life-time. But, as some Passages in the Journal contain Observations +which appear to have been intended as private Memorandums only, and +others relate to Circumstances which happened in his native Country, not +expedient to be preserved on Record in this Nation, it is apprehended +that the following <span class="smcap">Abridgement</span> of it will be acceptable to Friends, and +may be of general Service; and, as many weighty Arguments and pertinent +Advices, relative to Slavery and the Oppression of the Negroes in the +Plantations, are contained in the Journal, it was therefore apprehended +that two small Tracts on that Subject might be omitted in this +Abridgement.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="THE_TESTIMONY_OF_FRIENDS_IN_YORKSHIRE" id="THE_TESTIMONY_OF_FRIENDS_IN_YORKSHIRE"></a>THE TESTIMONY OF FRIENDS IN YORKSHIRE</h2> + +<blockquote> +<p class="center"><i>At their Quarterly-meeting held at York, the 24th and 25th<br /> of the +third Month 1773, concerning</i></p> + +<p class="center">JOHN WOOLMAN</p> + +<p><i>Of</i> Mount-Holly, <i>in the Province of New-Jersey, in</i> America; <i>who +departed this Life at the House of our Friend</i>, <span class="smcap">Thomas Priestman</span>, +<i>in the Suburbs of this City, the 7th of the tenth month 1772, and +was interred in the Burying-ground of Friends, the 9th of the same, +aged about fifty-two Years</i></p></blockquote> + + +<p>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 in full Concurrence and near Sympathy +with his Friends and Brethren at home, as appeared by Certificates from +the monthly and quarterly Meetings to which he belonged, and from the +Spring-meeting of Ministers and Elders, held at <i>Philadelphia</i> for +<i>Pennsylvania</i> and <i>New-Jersey</i>.</p> + +<p>He arrived in the City of <i>London</i> the beginning of the last +Yearly-meeting, and, after attending that Meeting, travelled northward, +visiting the Quarterly-meetings of <i>Hertfordshire</i>, <i>Buckinghamshire</i>, +<i>Northamptonshire</i>, <i>Oxfordshire</i>, and <i>Worcestershire</i>, and divers +particular Meetings in his Way.</p> + +<p>He visited many Meetings on the West Side of this County; also some in +<i>Lancashire</i> and <i>Westmorland</i>; from whence he came to our +Quarterly-meeting in the last<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> ninth Month; and though much out of +Health, yet was enabled to attend all the Sittings of that Meeting +except the last.</p> + +<p>His Disorder, then, which proved the Small-pox, increased speedily upon +him, and was very afflicting; under which he was supported in much +Meekness, 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.</p> + +<p>In the early Part of his Illness he requested a Friend to write, and he +broke forth thus:</p> + +<p>"O 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, and 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, 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 shewed to us in the +most affecting Example of thy Son, and thou wast teaching me to follow +him, and I said, Thy Will, O Father, be done."</p> + +<p>Many more of his weighty Expressions might have been inserted here, but +it was deemed unnecessary, they being already published in Print.</p> + +<p>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 Baptisms, he became thereby sanctified and fitted for +the Lord's Work, and was truly serviceable in his Church: 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> often flowed through him with great Sweetness and +Purity, as a refreshing Stream to the weary Travellers toward the City +of God: Skilful in dividing the Word, he was furnished by Him, in whom +are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom 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 Circumspection and +Attention to the Guidance of divine Wisdom, which rendered his whole +Conversation uniformly edifying.</p> + +<p>He was fully perswaded that as the Life of Christ comes to reign in the +Earth, all Abuse and unnecessary Oppression, both of the human and brute +Creation, will come to an End; but, under the Sense of a deep Revolt and +overflowing Stream of Unrighteousness, his Life has been often a Life of +mourning.</p> + +<p>He was deeply concerned on account of that inhuman and iniquitous +Practice of making Slaves of the People of <i>Africa</i>, or holding them in +that State; and, on that Account, we understand he hath not only written +some Books, but travelled much on the Continent of <i>America</i>, in order +to make the Negro-masters (especially those in Profession with us) +sensible of the evil of such a Practice; and though, in his Journey to +<i>England</i>, 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 miserable 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 before 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 we may, as way may open, +represent their Sufferings, in an Individual, if not a Society Capacity, +to those in Authority.</p> + +<p>Deeply sensible that the Desire to gratify People's Inclinations in +Luxury and Superfluities is the principal Ground of Oppression, and the +Occasion of many<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> unnecessary 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 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 Standard 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 confuseth the Affairs of +Society, and where we may have a Testimony of our Innocence in the +Hearts of those who behold us."</p> + +<p>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 infinite Wisdom, he hath greatly stripped the Church, by removing +of late divers faithful Ministers and Elders, he may be pleased to send +forth many more faithful Labourers into his Harvest.</p> + +<p><i>Signed in, by Order, and on Behalf of, said Meeting</i>:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Thomas Bennett</span>,<br /></span> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">John Storr</span>,<br /></span> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Joseph Eglin</span>,<br /></span> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Thomas Perkinson</span>,<br /></span> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Joseph Wright</span>,<br /></span> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Samuel Briscoe</span>,<br /></span> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">John Turner</span>,<br /></span> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Joshua Robinson</span>,<br /></span> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Thomas Priestman</span>, and<br /></span> +<span class="i0">divers other Friends.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="A_TESTIMONY_OF_THE_MONTHLY-MEETING_OF_FRIENDS" id="A_TESTIMONY_OF_THE_MONTHLY-MEETING_OF_FRIENDS"></a>A TESTIMONY OF THE MONTHLY-MEETING OF FRIENDS</h2> + +<p class="center"><i>Held in</i> Burlington, <i>the first Day of the eighth Month, in the<br /> Year of +our Lord 1774, concerning our esteemed Friend,</i></p> + +<p class="center">JOHN WOOLMAN, DECEASED</p> + + +<p>He was born in <i>Northampton</i>, in the County of <i>Burlington</i>, and +Province of <i>West-New-Jersey</i>, in the eighth Month, 1720, of religious +Parents, who instructed him very early in the Principles of the +<i>Christian</i> Religion, as professed by the People called <i>Quakers</i>, which +he esteemed a Blessing to him, even in his young Years, tending to +preserve him from the Infection of wicked Children; but, through the +Workings of the Enemy, and 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 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> was a +loving Husband, a tender Father, and very humane to every Part of the +Creation under his Care.</p> + +<p>His Concern for the Poor and those in Affliction was evident by his +Visits to them; whom he frequently relieved by his Assistance and +Charity. He was for many Years deeply exercised on Account of the poor +enslaved <i>Africans</i>, 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 suffering 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 Almighty +with a degree of Confidence, for his Interposition and Relief; being +particularly careful, as to himself, not to countenance Slavery even by +the Use of those Conveniences of Life which were furnished by their +Labour.</p> + +<p>He was desirous to have his own, 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 Pollutions, but those +also which, appearing in a more refined Dress, are not sufficiently +guarded against by some well-disposed People. In the latter Part of his +Life he was remarkable 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 believed himself called unto, and was favoured +with Peace therein, although it carried the Appearance of great +Austerity 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> 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 abuse them; that the Gifts of Providence should be +thankfully received and applied to the Uses they were designed for.</p> + +<p>He several Times opened a School at <i>Mount-Holly</i>, 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 +were truly great, recommending to Parents and those who have the Charge +of them, to chuse conscientious and pious Tutors, saying, "It is a +lovely Sight to behold innocent Children," and that "to labour for their +Help against that which would mar the Beauty of their Minds, is a Debt +we owe them."</p> + +<p>His Ministry was sound, very deep and penetrating, sometimes pointing +out the dangerous Situation which Indulgence and Custom lead into; +frequently exhorting others, especially the Youth, not to be discouraged +at the Difficulties which occur, but press after Purity. He often +expressed an earnest Engagement that <i>pure Wisdom</i> 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.</p> + +<p>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 private Way in that Plainness which Truth dictates, +shewing great Tenderness and <i>Christian</i> Forbearance. He was a constant +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 Concurrence of the +Monthly-meeting to which he belonged, and, we have Reason to believe, +had good Service therein, generally or always expressing, at his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> +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.</p> + +<p>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 +Observations and Reflections. "As looking over the Minutes, made by +Persons 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 +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."—<i>Signed</i>, John Woolman.</p> + +<p>In the twelfth Month, 1771, he acquainted this Meeting that he found his +Mind drawn towards a religious Visit to Friends in some Parts of +<i>England</i>, particularly in <i>Yorkshire</i>. 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 <i>Philadelphia</i>. He embarked on his Voyage in the fifth, and +arrived in <i>London</i> in the sixth, Month following, at the Time of their +annual Meeting in that City. During his short Visit to Friends in that +Kingdom, we are informed that his Services were acceptable and edifying. +In his last Illness he uttered many lively and comfortable Expressions, +being "perfectly resigned, having no Will either to live or die," as +appears by the Testimony of Friends at <i>York</i> in <i>Great-Britain</i>, in the +Suburbs whereof, at the House of our Friend, <i>Thomas Priestman</i>, he died +of the Small-pox, on the seventh Day of the tenth Month, 1772, and was +buried in Friends Burying-ground in that City, on the ninth of the same, +after a large and solid Meeting held on the Occasion at their great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> +Meeting-house, aged near fifty-two Years; a Minister upwards of +thirty Years, during which Time he belonged to <i>Mount-Holly</i> +Particular-meeting, 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 hope may not be +forgotten, but that his good Works may be remembered to Edification.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Signed in, and by Order of, the said Meeting, by</i></p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Samuel Allinson</span>, <i>Clerk</i>.</p> + + +<p>Read and approved at our Quarterly-meeting, held at <i>Burlington</i> the +29th of the eighth Month, 1774.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Signed, by Order of said Meeting</i>,</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Daniel Smith</span>, <i>Clerk</i>.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p> +<h3>A JOURNAL OF THE LIFE, GOSPEL-LABOURS, AND CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCES, OF +THAT FAITHFUL MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST,<br /> +JOHN WOOLMAN;<br /> + +Late of <span class="smcap">Mount-Holly</span>, in the Province of <span class="smcap">New-Jersey</span>.</h3> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> +<blockquote> +<p><span class="smcap">Isaiah</span> xxxii. 17.</p> + +<p>"The Work of Righteousness shall be Peace; and the Effect of +Righteousness, Quietness and Assurance for ever."</p></blockquote> +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + + +<p class="center">LONDON:<br /> +Printed and sold by <span class="smcap">James Phillips</span>, in<br /> +George-Yard, Lombard-Street.</p> + +<p class="center">M.DCC.LXXV.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="A_JOURNAL_OF_THE_LIFE_AND_TRAVELS_OF_JOHN_WOOLMAN_In_the_Service_of_the" id="A_JOURNAL_OF_THE_LIFE_AND_TRAVELS_OF_JOHN_WOOLMAN_In_the_Service_of_the"></a>A JOURNAL OF THE LIFE AND TRAVELS OF JOHN WOOLMAN,<br /> <span class="smcap">In the Service of the +Gospel</span></h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3>CHAPTER I</h3> + +<blockquote><p><i>His Birth and Parentage, with some Account of the Operations of divine +Grace on his Mind in his Youth</i>—<i>His first Appearance in the +Ministry</i>—<i>And his Considerations, while young, on the keeping of +Slaves</i></p></blockquote> + + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>I was born in <i>Northampton</i>, in <i>Burlington</i> County, <i>West-Jersey</i>, 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 22d Chapter of the <i>Revelations</i>: "He shewed me a pure River of +Water of Life, clear as Chrystal, proceeding out of the Throne of God +and of the Lamb, <i>etc.</i>" and, in reading it, my Mind was drawn to seek +after that pure Habitation, which, I then believed, God had prepared for +his Servants.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> The Place where I sat, and the Sweetness that attended my +Mind, remain fresh in my Memory.</p> + +<p>This, and the like gracious Visitations, had that Effect upon me, that +when Boys used ill Language it troubled me; and, through the continued +Mercies of God, I was preserved from it.</p> + +<p>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, People 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 Firmness, amongst People in this Age than in past Ages, +often troubled me while I was a Child.</p> + +<p>A Thing remarkable in my Childhood was, that once, going to a +Neighbour's House, I saw, on the Way, a <i>Robin</i> sitting on her Nest, and +as I came near she went off, but, having young ones, flew about, and +with many Cries expressed 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, as having, in a sportive Way, killed an innocent Creature while +she was careful for her Young: I beheld her lying dead, and thought +these 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-proverb 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> troubled. Thus he, whose tender +Mercies are over all his Works, hath placed a Principle in the human +Mind, which incites to exercise Goodness towards every living Creature; +and this being singly attended to, People become tender hearted and +sympathising; but being frequently and totally rejected, the Mind +becomes shut up in a contrary Disposition.</p> + +<p>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 +Wickedness, I felt Remorse in my Mind, and, getting home, I retired 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.</p> + +<p>Having attained the Age of sixteen Years, I began to love wanton +Company; and though I was preserved from prophane Language, or +scandalous Conduct, still I perceived a Plant in me which produced much +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 Backslidings 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 was more +and more alienated from the Truth, and I hastened toward Destruction. +While I meditate on the Gulph towards which I travelled, and reflect on +my youthful Disobedience, for these Things I weep, mine Eyes run down +with Water.</p> + +<p>Advancing in Age, the Number of my Acquaintances increased, and thereby +my Way grew more difficult; though I had found Comfort in reading the +holy Scriptures, and thinking on heavenly Things, I was now estranged +therefrom: I knew I was going from the Flock<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> of Christ, and had no +Resolution to return; hence serious Reflections were uneasy to me, and +youthful Vanities and Diversions my greatest Pleasure. Running in this +Road I found many like myself; and we associated in that which is the +reverse of true Friendship.</p> + +<p>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 was +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 Contrition; and in the multitude of his Mercies I found inward +Relief, and felt a close Engagement, that, if he was pleased to restore +my Health, I might walk humbly before him.</p> + +<p>After my Recovery, this Exercise remained with me a considerable Time; +but, by Degrees, giving Way to youthful Vanities, they gained Strength, +and, getting with wanton young People, I lost Ground. The Lord had been +very gracious, and spoke 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. I was not so hardy as to commit Things scandalous; +but to exceed in Vanity, and promote Mirth, was my chief Study. Still I +retained a Love 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 once, having spent a Part of +the Day in Wantonness, as I went to Bed at Night, there lay in a Window, +near my Bed, a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> Bible, which I opened, and first cast my Eye on this +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 Conscience; +which I soon cast off again.</p> + +<p>Thus Time passed on: My Heart was replenished with Mirth and Wantonness, +and 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 again, Sorrow and Confusion took hold of me. 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 remember 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 Desarts and lonely +Places, and there, with Tears, did confess my Sins to God, and humbly +craved Help of him. And I may say with Reverence, he was near to me in +my Troubles, and in those Times of Humiliation 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> 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 Instructions 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.</p> + +<p>I kept steadily to Meetings; spent First-day Afternoons chiefly in +reading the Scriptures and other good Books; and was early convinced in +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 was moved, by an inward Principle, to love +God as an invisible incomprehensible Being, by the same Principle it was +moved to love him in all his Manifestations in the visible World.—That, +as by his Breath the Flame of Life was kindled in all animal sensible +Creatures, to say we love God, and, at the same Time exercise Cruelty +toward the least Creature, is a Contradiction in itself.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 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 it, nor any Means to convey to another a clear Idea of it. I looked +on 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 increased in me: This will be understood by such as +have trodden the same Path. Some Glances of real Beauty may be seen in +their Faces, who dwell in true Meekness. There<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> is a Harmony in the +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 shew forth that inward Life to +such as have not felt it: But this white Stone and new Name is known +rightly to such only as have it.</p> + +<p>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 +withdrew into private Places, and often with Tears besought the Lord to +help me, whose gracious Ear was open to my Cry.</p> + +<p>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-keeping 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.</p> + +<p>At Home I had lived retired; and now, having a Prospect of being much in +the Way of Company, I felt frequent and fervent Cries in my Heart to +God, the Father of Mercies, that he would preserve me from all +Corruption; that in this more publick 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 +employed me, furnished a Shop in <i>Mount-Holly</i>, about five Miles from my +Father's House, and six from his own; and there I lived alone, and +tended his Shop. Shortly after my Settlement here I was visited by +several young People, my former Acquaintance, who knew not but Vanities +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 Difficulties, and had fresh Occasion to bewail the +Follies of Time past,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> in contracting a Familiarity with libertine +People; 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>In a few Months after I came here, my Master bought several <i>Scotchmen</i>, +Servants, from on-board a Vessel, and brought them to <i>Mount-Holly</i> to +sell; one of which was taken sick, and died.</p> + +<p>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, 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.</p> + +<p>After a While, my former Acquaintance gave over expecting me as one of +their Company; and I began to be known to some whose Conversation was +helpful to me: And now, 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 Compassion for the Youth, who remained +entangled in Snares, like those which had entangled me from one Time to +another: 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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> 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 that 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 thankful 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: +And, 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 that rise which prepares the +Creature.</p> + +<p>From an inward purifying, and stedfast abiding under it, springs a +lively operative Desire for the Good of others: All the Faithful are not +called to the public Ministry; 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 +Conditions of others.</p> + +<p>This Truth was clearly fixed in my Mind; and I was 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 worldly +Wisdom, and depart from the Channel of the true Gospel-Ministry.</p> + +<p>In the Management of my outward Affairs, I may say, with Thankfulness, I +found Truth to be my Support; and I was respected in my Master's Family, +who came to live in <i>Mount-Holly</i> within two Years after my going +there.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span></p> + +<p>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 Business no farther, than as Truth opened my Way therein.</p> + +<p>About the Time called <i>Christmas</i>, I observed many People from the +Country, and Dwellers in Town, who, resorting to Public-Houses, spent +their Time in drinking and vain 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 incumbent 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 Opportunity to see these +Things; but though I would gladly have been excused, yet I could not +feel my Mind clear.</p> + +<p>The Exercise was heavy; and as I was reading what the Almighty said to +<i>Ezekiel</i>, 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 Company, I went to him, and told him, I wanted to speak +with him; so we went aside, and there, in the Fear of the Almighty, I +expressed to him what rested on my Mind; which he took kindly, and +afterward shewed 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.</p> + +<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> the Thoughts of writing an Instrument of Slavery +for one of my Fellow-creatures felt uneasy, yet I remembered 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; but, at the executing 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 +<i>Christian</i> 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 have been excused from it, as a Thing +against my Conscience; for such it was. And, 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 to his Wife, he had accepted of her.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER II</h3> + +<blockquote> +<p><i>His first Journey, on a religious Visit, into</i> East-Jersey, <i>in Company +with</i> <span class="smcap">Abraham Farrington</span>—<i>His Thoughts on merchandizing, and his +learning a Trade</i>—<i>His second Journey, with</i> <span class="smcap">Isaac Andrews</span>, <i>into</i> +Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, <i>and</i> North Carolina—<i>His third +Journey, with</i> <span class="smcap">Peter Andrews</span>, <i>through Part of</i> West <i>and</i> +East-Jersey—<i>Some Account of his Sister</i> <span class="smcap">Elizabeth</span>, <i>and her +Death</i>—<i>His fourth Journey, with</i> <span class="smcap">Peter Andrews</span>, <i>through</i> New-York +<i>and</i> Long-Island, <i>to</i> New-England—<i>And his fifth Journey, with</i> <span class="smcap">John +Sykes</span>, <i>to the eastern Shore of</i> Maryland, <i>and the lower +Counties on</i> Delaware</p></blockquote> + + +<p>My esteemed Friend, <i>Abraham Farrington</i>, being about to make a Visit to +Friends on the eastern Side of this Province, and having no Companion, +he proposed to me to go with him; and, after a Conference with some +elderly Friends, I agreed to go: We set out the fifth Day of the ninth +Month, in the Year 1743; had an Evening-meeting at a Tavern in +<i>Brunswick</i>, a Town in which none of our Society dwelt; the Room was +full, and the People quiet. Thence to <i>Amboy</i>, and had an +Evening-meeting in the Court-house; to which many People came, amongst +whom were several Members of the Assembly, they being in Town on 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 +<i>Woodbridge</i>, <i>Raway</i>, and <i>Plainfield</i>; and had six or seven Meetings +in Places where Meetings of Friends are not usually held, being made up +chiefly of <i>Presbyterians</i>; and my beloved Companion was frequently +strengthened to publish the Word of Life amongst them: As for me, I was +often silent; and, when I spake, it was with much Care, that I might +speak only what Truth opened: And I learned some profitable Lessons.—We +were out about two Weeks.</p> + +<p>Near this Time, being on some outward Business in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> 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 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, useful to us both.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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; as believing the Business +proposed would be attended with more outward Care than was required of +me to engage in.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>My Employer, though now a Retailer of Goods, was by Trade a Taylor, and +kept a Servant-man at that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> 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 Employer, and +we soon agreed on Terms; and then, when I had Leisure from the Affairs +of Merchandize, I worked with his Man. I believed the Hand of Providence +pointed out this Business for me; and was taught to be content 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 deep 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.</p> + +<p>After some Time, my Employer's Wife died; she was a virtuous Woman, and +generally beloved of her Neighbours; and, soon after this, he left +shop-keeping, and we parted. I then wrought at my Trade, as a Taylor; +carefully 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 <i>Pennsylvania</i> and +<i>Virginia</i>; and, being thoughtful about a Companion, I expressed it to +my beloved Friend, <span class="smcap">Isaac Andrews</span>, who then told me that he had Drawings +to the same Places; also to go through <i>Maryland</i>, <i>Virginia</i>, and +<i>Carolina</i>. After considerable Time past, 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 <i>Haddonfield</i>, and mine from <i>Burlington</i>.</p> + +<p>We left our Province on the twelfth Day of the third Month, in the Year +1746, and had several Meetings in the upper Part of <i>Chester</i> County, +and near <i>Lancaster</i>; in some of which, the Love of Christ prevailed, +uniting us together in his Service. Then we crossed the River<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> +<i>Susquehannah</i>, and had several Meetings in a new Settlement, called the +<i>Red-Lands</i>; the oldest of which, as I was informed, did not exceed ten +Years. It is the poorer Sort of People that commonly begin to improve +remote Desarts: 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 sympathise with them in +their Hardships in the Wilderness; 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 enlarged 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!</p> + +<p>We passed on to <i>Monoquacy</i>, <i>Fairfax</i>, <i>Hopewell</i>, and <i>Shanando</i>, and +had Meetings; some of which were comfortable and edifying. From +<i>Shanando</i> we set off in the Afternoon for the old Settlements of +Friends in <i>Virginia</i>; 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 the next +Day to part with him; and did so. In two Days after, we reached to our +Friend <i>John Cheagle's</i>, in <i>Virginia</i>; so we took the Meetings in our +Way through <i>Virginia</i>; were, in some Degree, baptized into a feeling +Sense of the Conditions of the People; and our Exercise 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 Encouragement and the +Refreshment of the sincere-hearted. We went on to <i>Perquimons</i>, in +<i>North-Carolina</i>, had several Meetings, which were large, and found some +Openness in those Parts, and a hopeful Appearance amongst the young +People. So we turned again to <i>Virginia</i>, 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 <i>James-River</i>, to a new Settlement,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> and had several +Meetings amongst the People, some of whom had lately joined in +Membership with our Society.</p> + +<p>In our journeying to and fro, we found some honest-hearted Friends, who +appeared to be concerned for the Cause of Truth among a backsliding +People.</p> + +<p>From <i>Virginia</i>, we crossed over the River <i>Patowmac</i>, at Hoe's Ferry, +and made a general Visit to the Meetings of Friends on the Western Shore +of <i>Maryland</i>; and were at their Quarterly-meeting. We had some hard +Labour amongst them, endeavouring to discharge our Duty honestly as Way +opened, in the Love of Truth: And thence taking sundry Meetings in our +Way, we passed homeward; where, through the Favour of divine Providence +we reached the sixteenth Day of the sixth Month, in the Year 1746; and I +may say that, through the Assistance of the Holy Spirit, my Companion +and I travelled in Harmony, and parted in the Nearness of true brotherly +Love.</p> + +<p>Two Things were remarkable to me in this Journey; first, in Regard to my +Entertainment, when I ate, drank, and lodged at 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 of the Burthen, and lived frugally, so +that their Servants 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; this +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, was frequently the Subject of my +serious Thoughts: And I saw in these southern Provinces so many Vices +and Corruptions, increased by this Trade and this Way of Life, that it +appeared to me as a Gloom over the Land; and though now many willingly +run into it, yet, in future,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> the Consequence will be grievous to +Posterity: I express it as it hath appeared to me, not at once nor +twice, but as a Matter fixed on my Mind.</p> + +<p>Soon after my Return Home, I felt an increasing Concern for Friends on +our Sea-coast; and, on the eighth Day of the eighth Month, in the Year +1746, with the Unity of Friends, and in Company with my beloved Friend +and Neighbour, <span class="smcap">Peter Andrews</span>, Brother to my Companion before-mentioned, +we set forward, and visited Meetings generally about <i>Salem</i>, <i>Cape +May</i>, <i>Great</i> and <i>Little Egg-Harbour</i>; and had Meetings at <i>Barnagat</i>, +<i>Mannahocking</i>, and <i>Mane-Squan</i>, and so to the Yearly-meeting at +<i>Shrewsbury</i>. 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 <i>Shrewsbury</i> Yearly-meeting, we met with our dear Friends +<span class="smcap">Michael Lightfoot</span> and <span class="smcap">Abraham Farrington</span>, who had good Service there.</p> + +<p>The Winter following my eldest Sister, <span class="smcap">Elizabeth Woolman</span>, jun. died of +the Small-pox, aged thirty-one Years. She was, from her Youth, of a +thoughtful Disposition; and very compassionate to her Acquaintance 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, <i>Elizabeth</i> expressed her Contentment under it; +signifying, she believed it might be for their Good.</p> + +<p>A few Years after she attained to mature-Age, through the gracious +Visitations of God's Love, she was strengthened<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> to live a self-denying +exemplary Life, giving herself much to Reading and Meditation.</p> + +<p>The following Letter may shew, in some Degree, her Disposition.</p> + +<blockquote><p class="right"><span class="smcap">Haddonfield</span>, <i>1st Day, 11th Month</i>, 1743.</p> + +<p>Beloved Brother, <span class="smcap">John Woolman</span>,—In that Love which desires the +Welfare of all Men, I write unto thee: I received thine, dated +second Day of the tenth Month last, with which I was comforted. My +Spirit is bowed with Thankfulness that I should be remembered, who +am unworthy; but the Lord is full of Mercy, and his Goodness is +extended to the meanest of his Creation; therefore, in his infinite +Love, he hath pitied, and spared, and shewed 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</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i2">Thy affectionate Sister,<br /></span> +<span class="i4"><span class="smcap">Eliz. Woolman</span>, jun.<br /></span> +</div></div> +</blockquote> + +<p>In the fore Part of her Illness she was in great Sadness and Dejection +of Mind, of which she told one of her intimate Friends, and said, When I +was a young Girl I was wanton and airy, but I thought I had thoroughly +repented of it; and added, I have of late had great Satisfaction in +Meetings. Though she was thus disconsolate, still she retained a Hope, +which was as an Anchor to her: And sometime 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 dangerous, 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.</p> + +<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> for I shall die, and it will be well with my +Soul; and accordingly died the next Evening.</p> + +<p>The following Ejaculations were found amongst her Writings; written, I +believe, at four Times:</p> + +<p>I. Oh! that my Head were as Waters, and mine Eyes as a Fountain of +Tears, that I might weep Day and Night, until acquainted with my God.</p> + +<p>II. O Lord, that I may enjoy thy Presence! or else my Time is lost, and +my Life a Snare to my Soul.</p> + +<p>III. O Lord, that I may receive Bread from thy Table, and that thy Grace +may abound in me!</p> + +<p>IV. O Lord, that I may be acquainted with thy Presence, that I may be +seasoned with thy Salt, that thy Grace may abound in me!</p> + +<p>Of late I found Drawings in my Mind to visit Friends in <i>New-England</i>, +and, having an Opportunity of joining in Company with my beloved Friend, +<span class="smcap">Peter Andrews</span>, we, having obtained Certificates from our +Monthly-meeting, set forward on the sixteenth Day of the third Month, in +the Year 1747, and reached the Yearly-meeting at <i>Long-Island</i>; at which +were our Friends <span class="smcap">Samuel Nottingham</span>, from <i>England</i>, <span class="smcap">John Griffith</span>, +<span class="smcap">Jane Hoskins</span>, and <span class="smcap">Elizbeth Hudson</span>, from <i>Pennsylvania</i>, and +<span class="smcap">Jacob Andrews</span>, from <i>Chesterfield</i>. Several of whom were favoured +in their publick Exercise; and, through the Goodness of the Lord, we had +some edifying Meetings. After this, my Companion and I visited Friends on +<i>Long-Island</i>; and, through the Mercies of God we were helped in the +Work.</p> + +<p>Besides going to the settled Meetings of Friends, we were at a general +Meeting at <i>Setawket</i>, chiefly made up of other Societies; and had a +Meeting at <i>Oyster-Bay</i> in a Dwelling-house, at which were many People: +At the first of which there was not much said by way of Testimony; but +it was I believe, a good Meeting: At the latter, 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 +Way, to <i>Oblong</i>, <i>Nine Partners</i>, and <i>New-Milford</i>.—In these back +Settlements we met with several People,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> who, through the immediate +Workings of the Spirit of Christ in their Minds, were drawn from the +Vanities of the World, to an inward Acquaintance with him: They were +educated in the Way of the <i>Presbyterians</i>. A considerable Number of the +Youth, Members of that Society, 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 stedfast to that inward Convincement, they were made +a Blessing to some of their former Companions; so that, through the +Power of Truth, several were brought into a close Exercise concerning +the eternal Well-being of their Souls. These young People continued for +a Time to frequent their publick Worship; and, besides that, had +Meetings of their own; which Meetings were a while allowed by their +Preacher, who, sometimes, met with them: But, in Time, their Judgment, +in Matters of Religion, disagreeing with some of the Articles of the +<i>Presbyterians</i>, their Meetings were disapproved by that Society; and +such of them as stood firm to their Duty, as it was inwardly manifested, +had many Difficulties to go through. And their Meetings were in a while +dropped; some of them returning to the <i>Presbyterians</i>; and others of +them, after a Time, joined our religious Society. I had Conversation +with some of the latter, to my Help and Edification; and believe several +of them are acquainted with the Nature of that Worship, which is +performed in Spirit and in Truth.</p> + +<p>From hence, accompanied by <span class="smcap">Amos Powel</span>, a Friend from <i>Long-Island</i>, we +rode through <i>Connecticut</i>, chiefly inhabited by <i>Presbyterians</i>, who +were generally civil to us; and, after three Days riding, we came +amongst Friends in the Colony of <i>Rhode-Island</i>. We visited Friends in +and about <i>Newport</i>, and <i>Dartmouth</i>, and generally in those Parts; and +then to <i>Boston</i>; and proceeded eastward as far as <i>Dover</i>; and then +returned to <i>Newport</i>; and, not far from thence, we met our Friend, +<span class="smcap">Thomas Gawthrop</span>, from <i>England</i>, who was then on a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> Visit to these +Provinces. From <i>Newport</i> we sailed to <i>Nantucket</i>; were there near a +Week; and from thence came over to <i>Dartmouth</i>: And having finished our +Visit in these Parts, we crossed the <i>Sound</i> from <i>New-London</i> to +<i>Long-Island</i>; and, taking some Meetings on the Island, proceeded +homeward; where we reached the thirteenth Day of the seventh Month, in +the Year 1747, having rode about fifteen hundred Miles, and sailed about +one hundred and fifty.</p> + +<p>In this Journey, I may say, in general, we were sometimes in much +Weakness, and laboured under Discouragements; and at other Times, +through the renewed Manifestations of divine Love, we had seasons of +Refreshment, wherein the Power of Truth prevailed.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Finding a Concern to visit Friends in the lower Counties on <i>Delaware</i>, +and on the eastern Shore of <i>Maryland</i>, and having an Opportunity to +join with my well-beloved ancient Friend, <span class="smcap">John Sykes</span>, we obtained +Certificates, and set off the seventh Day of the eighth Month, in the +Year 1748; were at the Meetings of Friends in the lower Counties, +attended the Yearly-meeting at <i>Little-Creek</i>, and made a Visit to the +chief of the Meetings on the eastern Shore; and so Home by Way of +<i>Nottingham</i>: Were abroad about six Weeks, and rode, by Computation, +about five hundred and fifty Miles.</p> + +<p>Our Exercise, at Times, was heavy; but, through the Goodness of the +Lord, we were often refreshed; and I may say, by Experience, <i>He is a +strong Hold in the Day of Trouble</i>. Though our Society, in these Parts, +appeared to me to be in a declining Condition; yet, I believe, the Lord +hath a People amongst them, who labour to serve him uprightly, but have +many Difficulties to encounter.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER III</h3> + +<blockquote><p><i>His Marriage</i>—<i>The Death of his Father</i>—<i>His Journies into the upper Part +of</i> New-Jersey, <i>and afterwards into</i> Pennsylvania—<i>Considerations on +keeping Slaves, and his Visits to the Families of Friends at several +Times and Places</i>—<i>An Epistle from the General Meeting</i>—<i>His Journey to</i> +Long-Island—<i>Considerations on Trading, and on the Use of spirituous +Liquors and costly Apparel</i>—<i>And his Letter to a Friend</i></p></blockquote> + + +<p>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 agreeable to his +Will; and he was pleased to give me a well-inclined Damsel, <span class="smcap">Sarah Ellis</span>; +to whom I was married the eighteenth Day of the eighth Month, in the +Year 1749.</p> + +<p>In the fall of the Year 1750 died my Father, <span class="smcap">Samuel Woolman</span>, with a +Fever, aged about sixty Years.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>After my Return from <i>Carolina</i>, in the Year 1746, I made some +Observations on keeping Slaves, which some Time before his Decease I +shewed him; and he perused the Manuscript, proposed a few Alterations, +and appeared well satisfied that I found a Concern on that Account: And +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 having the +perfect Use of his Understanding, he asked me concerning the Manuscript, +whether I expected soon to proceed to take the Advice<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> 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.</p> + +<p>By his Direction I had wrote his Will in a Time of Health, and that +Night he desired me to read it to him, which I did; and he said it was +agreeable to his Mind. He then made mention of his End, which he +believed was near; and signified, that, though he was sensible of many +Imperfections in the Course of his Life, yet his Experience of the Power +of Truth, and of the Love and Goodness of God from Time to Time, even +till now, was such, that he had no Doubt but that, in leaving this Life, +he should enter into one more happy.</p> + +<p>The next Day his Sister <i>Elizabeth</i> came to see him, and told him of the +Decease of their Sister <i>Ann</i>, who died a few Days before: He then said, +I reckon Sister <i>Ann</i> was free to leave this World: <i>Elizabeth</i> 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 till near the last.</p> + +<p>On the second Day of the ninth Month, in the Year 1751, feeling Drawings +in my Mind to visit Friends at the <i>Great-Meadows</i>, in the upper Part of +<i>West-Jersey</i>, with the Unity of our Monthly-meeting, I went there; and +had some searching laborious Exercise amongst Friends in those Parts, +and found inward Peace therein.</p> + +<p>In the ninth Month of the Year 1753, in Company with my well-esteemed +Friend <span class="smcap">John Sykes</span>, and with the Unity of Friends, we travelled about two +Weeks, visiting Friends in <i>Bucks-County</i>. We laboured in the Love of +the Gospel, 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: And, 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 <i>Pennsylvania</i>, I joined in some Part of +the Work; having had a Desire some Time that it might go forward amongst +us.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p> + +<p>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: And I told the Man, that I +believed the Practice of continuing Slavery to this People was not +right; and had a Scruple in my Mind against doing Writings 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 Concerns in the +Practice; and I thought he was displeased with me. In this Case I had a +fresh Confirmation, that acting contrary to present outward Interest, +from a Motive of divine Love, and in Regard to Truth and Righteousness, +opens the Way to a Treasure better than Silver, and to a Friendship +exceeding the Friendship of Men.</p> + +<p>The Manuscript before-mentioned having lain 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.</p> + +<p>In the Year 1754, I found my Mind drawn to join in a Visit to Friends +Families belonging to <i>Chesterfield</i> Monthly-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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> Desires were to the great Shepherd for his heavenly +Instruction; and in the Morning I felt easy to proceed on the Visit, +being 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. And again, in the following Winter, I was +several Weeks in the same Service; some Part of the Time at +<i>Shrewsbury</i>, in Company with my beloved Friend, <i>John Sykes</i>; and have +Cause humbly to acknowledge, 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.</p> + +<p>From a Disagreement between the Powers of <i>England</i> and <i>France</i>, it was +now a Time of Trouble on this Continent; and an Epistle to Friends went +forth from our General Spring-meeting, which I thought good to give a +Place in this Journal.</p> + + +<blockquote><p>An EPISTLE from our General Spring-meeting of Ministers and Elders +for <i>Pennsylvania</i> and <i>New-Jersey</i>, held at <i>Philadelphia</i>, from +the 29th of the third Month, to the first of the fourth Month, +inclusive, 1755.</p> + +<p>To Friends on the Continent of <i>America</i>.</p> + +<p>Dear Friends,—In an humble Sense of divine Goodness, and the +gracious 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 Profession of our Faith without wavering, that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> 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 <i>as +the Dust of the Balance, and her Inhabitants as Grasshoppers</i>. Isa. +xl. 22.</p> + +<p>We (being convinced that the gracious Design of the Almighty in +sending his Son into the World, was to repair 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." <i>Heb.</i> xiii. 5. And as we, through +the gracious Dealings of the Lord our God, have had Experience of +that Work which is carried on, "not by <i>earthly</i> Might, nor by +Power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts:" <i>Zech.</i> iv. 6. +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 for ever; 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 ourselves 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." <i>Zech.</i> ix. 10. to the Completion of those Prophecies +already begun, that "Nation shall not lift up a Sword against +Nation, nor learn War any more." <i>Isa.</i> ii. 4. <i>Micah</i> iv. 3.</p> + +<p>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 sufficiently disintangled from the +surfeiting Cares of this Life, and redeemed from the Love of the +World, that no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> earthly Possessions nor Enjoyments may bias our +Judgments, 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." <i>Jer.</i> 1. +34. And if, for the farther promoting his most gracious Purposes in +the Earth, he should give us to taste of that bitter Cup which his +faithful Ones have often partaken of; O! that we may be rightly +prepared to receive it.</p> + +<p>And now, dear Friends, with Respect to the Commotions 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 so many as do partake of +it, so many will be straitened and perplexed with it: But they who +are single to the Truth, waiting daily to feel the Life and Virtue +of it in their Hearts, these shall 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 Stalls; yet will <i>they</i> rejoice in the +Lord, and joy in the God of <i>their</i> Salvation." <i>Hab.</i> iii. 17, 18.</p> + +<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> +by reason of the wild Grapes it produced, (<i>Isa.</i> v. 5.) remains +unchangeable; And if, for the Chastisement of Wickedness, and the +farther promoting his own Glory, he doth arise, even to shake +terribly the Earth, who then may oppose him, and prosper!</p> + +<p>We remain, in the Love of the Gospel, your Friends and Brethren.</p> + +<p class="right">Signed by fourteen Friends.</p></blockquote> + +<p>Scrupling to do Writings, relative to keeping Slaves, having been a +Means of sundry small Trials to me, in which I have so evidently felt my +own Will set aside, I think it good to mention a few of them.—Tradesmen +and Retailers of Goods, 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 any Necessity to question the +Judgment or Honesty of elderly Men, and more especially of such as have +a fair Reputation. Deep-rooted Customs, though wrong, are not easily +altered; but it is the Duty of every 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, from no other Motives than the Negro's +Good; but Man, as Man, knows not what shall be after him, nor hath +Assurance that his Children will attain to that Perfection in Wisdom and +Goodness necessary rightly to exercise such Power: 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.</p> + +<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> by +some other Person. And, 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 have been 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 directed their Freedom; and then I +wrote his Will.</p> + +<p>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 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 Bed side, read it to him; and then told +him, in a friendly Way, that I could not write any Instruments by which +my Fellow-creatures were made Slaves, without bringing Trouble on my own +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 proposed: +We then had a serious Conference on the Subject; at length he agreeing +to set her free, I finished his Will.</p> + +<p>Having found Drawings in my Mind to visit Friends on <i>Long-Island</i>, +after obtaining a Certificate from our Monthly-meeting, I set off on the +twelfth 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, <span class="smcap">Richard +Hallet</span>; the next Day, being the first of the Week, I was at the Meeting +in <i>New-town</i>; in which we experienced the renewed Manifestations of the +Love of Jesus Christ, to the Comfort of the honest-hearted. I went that +Night to <i>Flushing</i>; and the next Day, in Company with my beloved +Friend, <span class="smcap">Matthew Franklin</span>, we crossed the Ferry at <i>White-stone</i>; were at +three Meetings on the Main, and then returned to the Island; where<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> 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.</p> + +<p>My Mind was deeply engaged in this Visit, both in publick and private; +and, at several Places, 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 <i>Christian</i> Religion, and the ill Effects of it +manifested amongst us.</p> + +<p>The Latter-end of the Week, their Yearly-meeting began; at which were +our Friends <span class="smcap">John Scarborough</span>, <span class="smcap">Jane Hoskins</span>, and <span class="smcap">Susanna Brown</span>, from +<i>Pennsylvania</i>: The publick Meetings were large, and measurably favoured +with divine Goodness.</p> + +<p>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, 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 set a while 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.</p> + +<p>Through the humbling Dispensations of divine Providence, Men are +sometimes fitted for his 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 prophetic 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> laboured to be content in the Way +of my Duty, however disagreeable to my own Inclination. After this I +went homeward, taking <i>Woodbridge</i>, and <i>Plainfield</i> in my Way; 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.</p> + +<p>While I was out 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 farther Labour amongst them, I was bowed +in Reverence before him, with fervent Desires that I might find Strength +to resign myself up to his heavenly Will.</p> + +<p>Until this Year, 1756, I continued to retail Goods, besides following my +Trade as a Taylor; about which Time, I grew uneasy on Account of my +Business growing too cumbersome: I had begun with selling Trimmings for +Garments, and from thence 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.</p> + +<p>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, I believed Truth did not require me to engage in +much cumbering Affairs: 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 weaken me as a <i>Christian</i>.</p> + +<p>The Increase of Business became my Burthen; for, though my natural +Inclination was toward Merchandize, yet I believed Truth required me to +live more free from outward Cumbers: and there was now a Strife in my +Mind between the two; and 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 outward Business; and, as I had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> Opportunity, +told my Customers of my Intention, that they might consider what Shop to +turn to: And, in a while, wholly laid down Merchandize, following my +Trade, as a Taylor, myself only, having no Apprentice. I also had a +Nursery of Appletrees; in which I employed some of my Time in hoeing, +grafting, 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 expected, not having wherewith to pay, their +Creditors often sue for it at Law. Having often observed Occurrences of +this Kind, I found it good for me to advise poor People to take such +Goods as were most useful and not costly.</p> + +<p>In the Time of Trading, I had an Opportunity of seeing, that the too +liberal Use of spirituous Liquors, and the Custom of wearing too costly +Apparel, led some People into great Inconveniences; and these two Things +appear to be often connected; for, by not attending to that Use of +Things which is consistent with universal Righteousness, there is an +Increase of Labour which extends beyond what our heavenly Father intends +for us: And by great Labour, and often by much Sweating, there is, even +among such as are not Drunkards, a craving of some Liquors to revive the +Spirits; that, partly by the luxurious Drinking of some, and partly by +the Drinking of others (led to it through immoderate Labour), very great +Quantities of Rum are every Year expended in our Colonies; the greater +Part of which we should have no Need of, did we steadily attend to pure +Wisdom.</p> + +<p>Where Men take Pleasure in feeling their Minds elevated with +Strong-drink, and so indulge their Appetite as to disorder their +Understandings, neglect their Duty as Members in a Family or 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> the +Spirit of Meekness, and strengthens the Hands of the more excessive +Drinkers, is a Case to be lamented.</p> + +<p>As every Degree of Luxury hath some Connection with Evil, those who +profess to be Disciples of Christ, and are looked upon as Leaders of the +People, should have that Mind in them which was also in Christ, and so +stand separate from every wrong Way, as 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 Bounds to our Desires, and +leads those, who faithfully follow it, to apply all the Gifts of divine +Providence to the Purposes for which they were intended. Did such, as +have the Care of great Estates, attend with Singleness of Heart to this +heavenly Instructor, which so opens and enlarges the Mind, that Men love +their Neighbours as themselves, they would have Wisdom given them to +manage, without finding Occasion to employ some People in the Luxuries +of Life, or to make it necessary for others to labour too hard; but, for +want of steadily regarding this Principle of divine Love, a selfish +Spirit takes Place in the Minds of People, which is attended with +Darkness and manifold Confusion in the World.</p> + +<p>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 +<span class="smcap">Jeremiah</span> laid down for his Scribe: "Seekest thou great Things for +thyself? seek them not."</p> + +<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span></p> + +<p> </p> +<p class="center">A Copy of a Letter written to a Friend.</p> + +<p>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, mayst feel the Clothing of divine Fortitude, and be +strengthened to resist that Spirit which leads from the Simplicity of +the everlasting Truth.</p> + +<p>We may see ourselves crippled and halting, and, from a strong Bias to +Things pleasant and easy, find an Impossibility to advance forward; but +Things impossible with Men are possible with God; and, our Wills being +made subject to his, all Temptations are surmountable.</p> + +<p>This Work of subjecting the Will is compared to the Mineral in the +Furnace; "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 Operation of the Hand of God upon us, to prepare +our Hearts truly to adore him, and 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 Prospect 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 Parents +love their Children and delight in their Happiness, 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 Ears +opened to Discipline.</p> + +<p>And now that, on thy Part, after thy sore Affliction<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> 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 Conversation proceeding from Men deeply +rooted in an earthly Mind, and can sympathize with others in such +Conflicts, in that much Weakness still attends me.</p> + +<p>I find that to be a Fool as to worldly Wisdom, and commit 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.</p> + +<p>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; that when we look at the Way of the Righteous, it seems +as though it was not for us to follow them.</p> + +<p>There is a Love clothes my Mind, while I write, which is superior to all +Expressions; and I find my Heart open to encourage a holy Emulation, to +advance forward in <i>Christian</i> Firmness. Deep Humility is a strong +Bulwark; and, as we enter into it, we find Safety: The Foolishness of +God is wiser than Man, and the Weakness 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.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER IV</h3> + +<blockquote><p><i>His Journey to</i> Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, <i>and</i> North-Carolina: +<i>Considerations on the State of Friends there; and the Exercise he was +under in travelling among those so generally concerned in keeping +Slaves: With some Observations in Conversation, at several Times, on +this Subject</i>—<i>His Epistle to Friends at</i> New-Garden <i>and</i> +Cane-Creek—<i>His Thoughts on the Neglect of a religious Care in the +Education of the Negroes</i></p></blockquote> + + +<p>Feeling an Exercise in Relation to a Visit to the southern Provinces, I +acquainted our Monthly-meeting therewith, and obtained their +Certificate: Expecting to go alone, one of my Brothers, who lived in +<i>Philadelphia</i>, having some Business in <i>North-Carolina</i>, 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, +whereupon I had Conversation with him at sundry Times; and, at length, +feeling easy in my Mind, I had Conversation with several elderly Friends +of <i>Philadelphia</i> on the Subject; and he obtaining a Certificate +suitable to the Occasion, we set off in the fifth Month of the Year +1757; and, coming to <i>Nottingham</i> Week-day Meeting, lodged at <span class="smcap">John +Churchman's</span>; and here I met with our Friend <span class="smcap">Benjamin Buffington</span>, from +<i>New-England</i>, who was returning from a Visit to the southern Provinces. +Thence we crossed the River <i>Susquehannah</i>, and lodged at <span class="smcap">William Cox's</span> +in <i>Maryland</i>; and, soon after I entered this Province, a deep and +painful Exercise came upon me, which I often had some Feeling of since +my Mind was drawn towards these Parts, and with which I had acquainted +my Brother before we agreed to join as Companions.</p> + +<p>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 Singleness<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> of Heart to the Voice of the true Shepherd, and +be so supported as to remain unmoved at the Faces of Men.</p> + +<p>The Prospect of so weighty a Work 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," Numb. xi. 15. 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 Abasement, 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." Psalm cxxxi. 2. 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, trusting that the Lord +Jesus Christ, as I faithfully attended to him, would be a Counsellor to +me in all Difficulties.</p> + +<p>The seventh 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 +<i>Potapsco</i> Meeting; then crossed <i>Patuxent</i> River, and lodged at a +Public-house. On the ninth breakfasted at a Friend's House; who, +afterward, 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 Mind to be at the Yearly-meeting in <i>Virginia</i>; and, in +my travelling on the Road, I often felt a Cry rise from the Center of my +Mind, thus: O Lord, I am a Stranger on the Earth, hide not thy Face from +me.</p> + +<p>On the eleventh Day of the fifth Month, we crossed the Rivers +<i>Patowmack</i> and <i>Rapahannock</i>, and lodged at <i>Port-Royal</i>; and on the +Way we happening in Company with a Colonel of the Militia, who appeared +to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> be a thoughtful Man, I took Occasion to remark on the Difference in +general betwixt a People used to labour moderately for their Living, +training 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 Labourers 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, cultivating, and providing for their +Families; but Negroes, labouring to support others who claim them as +their Property, and expecting nothing but Slavery during Life, had not +the like Inducement to be industrious.</p> + +<p>After some farther Conversation, I said, that Men having Power too often +misapplied it; that though we made Slaves of the Negroes, and the +<i>Turks</i> made Slaves of the <i>Christians</i>, 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 are great odds, in +regard to us, on what Principle we act; and so the Conversation on that +Subject ended: And I may here add, that another Person, some Time +afterward, mentioned the Wretchedness of the Negroes, 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 <i>Africans</i>, in +Regard to their domestic Troubles, were the real Motive of our +purchasing them, that Spirit of Tenderness, being attended 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> taken in War animates +those Parties to push on that War, and increase Desolation amongst them, +to say they live unhappy in <i>Africa</i>, is far from being an Argument in +our Favour: And I farther said, the present Circumstances of these +Provinces to me appear difficult; that 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 outward Prospects +of Gain to all other Considerations, and do not act conscientiously +toward them as fellow Creatures, I believe that Burthen will grow +heavier and heavier, till Times change in a Way disagreeable to us: At +which 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.</p> + +<p>Having thus travelled through <i>Maryland</i>, we came amongst Friends at +<i>Cedar-Creek</i> in <i>Virginia</i>, on the 12th Day of the fifth Month; and the +next Day rode, in Company with several Friends, a Day's Journey to +<i>Camp-Creek</i>. 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 attended me; and, in an uncommon Distress of +Mind, I cried in secret to the Most High, O Lord, be merciful, I beseech +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 <i>Cain</i>, their Blackness being the Mark God set upon him +after he murdered <i>Abel</i> his Brother; that it was the Design of +Providence they should be Slaves, as a Condition proper to the Race of +so wicked a Man as <i>Cain</i> was: Then another spake in Support of what had +been said. To all which, I replied in Substance as follows: That <i>Noah</i> +and his Family were all who survived the Flood, according to Scripture; +and, as <i>Noah</i> was of <i>Seth's</i> Race, the Family of <i>Cain</i> was wholly +destroyed. One of them said, that after the Flood <i>Ham</i> went to the Land +of <i>Nod</i>, and took a Wife; that <i>Nod</i> was a Land far distant,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> inhabited +by <i>Cain's</i> Race, and that the Flood did not reach it; and as <i>Ham</i> 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 its Abominations; +and it was granted, that <i>Cain's</i> Stock was the most wicked, and +therefore unreasonable to suppose they were spared: As to <i>Ham's</i> going +to the Land of <i>Nod</i> for a Wife, no Time being fixed, <i>Nod</i> might be +inhabited by some of <i>Noah's</i> Family, before <i>Ham</i> married a second +Time; moreover the Text saith, "That all Flesh died that moved upon the +Earth." <i>Gen.</i> vii. 21. I farther reminded them, how the Prophets +repeatedly declare, "That the Son shall not suffer for the Iniquity of +the Father; but every one be answerable for his own Sins." I was +troubled to perceive the Darkness of their Imaginations; and in some +Pressure of Spirit said, the Love of Ease and Gain is the Motive in +general for keeping Slaves, and Men are wont to take hold of weak +Arguments to support a Cause which is unreasonable; and added, 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 Oppressed, will, +in his own Time, plead their Cause; and happy will it be for such as +walk in Uprightness before him: And thus our Conversation ended.</p> + +<p>On the fourteenth Day of the fifth Month I was at <i>Camp-Creek</i> +Monthly-meeting, and then rode to the Mountains up <i>James-River</i>, and +had a Meeting at a Friend's House; in both 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 <i>Fort-Creek</i>, and so to +<i>Cedar-Creek</i> again; at which Place I 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, that it was a Time of +mutual Refreshment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> from the Presence of the Lord. I lodged at <span class="smcap">James +Standley's</span>, Father of <span class="smcap">William Standley</span>, one of the young Men who +suffered Imprisonment at <i>Winchester</i>, last Summer, on Account of their +Testimony against Fighting; and I had some satisfactory Conversation +with him concerning it. Hence I went to the <i>Swamp</i> Meeting, and to +<i>Wayanoke</i> Meeting; and then crossed <i>James-River</i>, and lodged near +<i>Burleigh</i>. From the Time of my entering <i>Maryland</i> I had been much +under Sorrow, which 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 Goodness, looked +upon my Affliction, and in my private Retirement sent the Comforter for +my Relief: For which I humbly bless his holy Name.</p> + +<p>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 heavy upon me. It +appeared to me, that, through the prevailing of the Spirit of this +World, the Minds of many were brought to an inward Desolation; and, +instead of the Spirit of Meekness, Gentleness, and heavenly Wisdom, +which are the necessary Companions of the true Sheep of Christ, a Spirit +of Fierceness, and the Love of Dominion, too generally prevailed. From +small Beginnings in Errors, great Buildings, by degrees, are raised; and +from one Age to another are more and more strengthened by the general +Concurrence of the People; and, 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 <i>Judah</i> arise to that Height in Wickedness, as to give just +Ground for the Prophet <i>Isaiah</i> to declare, in the Name of the Lord, +"that none calleth for Justice, nor any pleadeth for Truth." <i>Isaiah</i> +lix. 4. Or for the Almighty to call upon the great City of <i>Jerusalem</i>, +just before the <i>Babylonish</i> Captivity: "If ye can find a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> Man, if there +be any who executeth Judgment, that seeketh the Truth, and I will pardon +it." <i>Jer.</i> v. 1. The Prospect of a Road lying open to the same +Degeneracy, in some Parts of this newly-settled Land of <i>America</i>, in +Respect to our Conduct toward the Negroes, deeply bowed my Mind in this +Journey; and, though, to briefly relate how 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 Purpose, have, in common, little else allowed but +one Peck of <i>Indian</i> Corn and some Salt for one Week, with a few +Potatoes; the Potatoes they commonly raise by their Labour on the first +Day of the Week.</p> + +<p>The Correction, ensuing on their Disobedience to Overseers, or +Slothfulness in Business, is often very severe, and sometimes desperate.</p> + +<p>The Men and Women have many Times scarce 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 Luxuries of +Life: These are the People who have made no Agreement to serve us, and +who have not forfeited their Liberty that we know of: These are Souls +for whom Christ died, and, for our Conduct toward them, we must answer +before him who is no Respecter of Persons.</p> + +<p>They who know the only true God, and Jesus Christ<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> whom he hath sent, +and are thus acquainted with the 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.</p> + +<p>From my Lodging I went to <i>Burleigh</i> Meeting, where I felt my Mind drawn +into a quiet resigned State; and, after 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 <i>Black-Water</i>; and so to the Yearly-meeting at the western +Branch: When Business 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 +<i>Pennsylvania</i> Queries, which had been examined by a Committee of +<i>Virginia</i> Yearly-meeting appointed the 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 Testimony 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 their Alteration; and, +referring to the last-mentioned Query, added, as purchasing any +Merchandize, taken by the Sword, was always allowed 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> made any +Objection, by Way of Reply to what I said; but the Query was admitted as +they had altered it. As some of their Members have heretofore traded in +Negroes, as in other Merchandize, this Query being admitted, will be one +Step farther than they have hitherto gone: And 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 make Way for the +spreading of Truth on the Earth, by Means agreeable to his infinite +Wisdom. But, in Regard 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 Experience 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 selfish 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: Some, amongst them, at +this Time, manifested a Concern in Regard to taking more Care in the +Education of their Negroes.</p> + +<p>On the twenty-ninth 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 Engagement to speak freely and plainly to them +concerning their Slaves; mentioning, how they, as the first Rank in the +Society, whose Conduct in that Case was much noticed 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 Education and +otherwise, they might be instrumental in helping forward a Work so +necessary, and so much neglected amongst them. At the twelfth Hour the +Meeting of Worship began, which was a solid Meeting.</p> + +<p>On the thirtieth 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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> through the Goodness of the Lord, Truth, I +believe, gained some Ground; and it was a strengthening Opportunity to +the Honest-hearted.</p> + +<p>About this Time I wrote an Epistle to Friends in the Back-settlements of +<i>North-Carolina</i>, as follows:</p> + + +<blockquote> +<p>To Friends at their Monthly-meeting at <i>New-Garden</i> and +<i>Cane-Creek</i>, in <i>North-Carolina</i>.</p> + + +<p>Dear Friends,—It having pleased the Lord to draw me forth on a +Visit to some Parts of <i>Virginia</i> and <i>Carolina</i>, 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 communicate a few +Things, as they arise in the Love of Truth. First, 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. Where People let loose +their Minds after the Love of outward 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 +Treasures, thus collected, do many Times prove dangerous Snares to +their Children.</p> + +<p>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 round 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 Meekness, feeling +our Spirits subject, and moving only in the gentle peaceable +Wisdom, the inward Reward of Quietness will be greater than all our +Difficulties. Where the pure Life is kept to, and Meetings of +Discipline are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> held in the Authority of it, we find by Experience +that they are comfortable, and tend to the Health of the Body.</p> + +<p>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 as 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 have 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 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 stedfast +to the Testimony of it, and be prepared for Services in the Church.</p> + +<p>And now, dear Friends and Brethren, as you are improving 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, to +wisely consider the Force of your Examples, and think how much your +Successors may be thereby affected: It is a Help in a Country, yea, +and 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.</p> + +<p>As moderate Care and Exercise, under the Direction of true Wisdom, +are 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 it. To rational Creatures +Bondage is uneasy, and frequently occasions Sourness and Discontent +in them; which affects the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> Family, and such as 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.</p> + +<p>I have been informed that there is a large Number of Friends in +your Parts, who have no Slaves; and in tender 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 will you be preserved from those Dangers which attend +such as are aiming at outward Ease and Greatness.</p> + +<p>Treasures, though small, attained on a 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 an uneasy Conscience, nor +anxious Thoughts about the Events of Things, hinder the Enjoyment +of it.</p> + +<p>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 Ways of true +Virtue. "The Work of Righteousness shall be Peace; and the Effect +of Righteousness, Quietness and Assurance for ever." Isa. xxxii. +17.</p> + +<p>Dwell here, my dear Friends; and then, in remote and solitary +Desarts, 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 +Stronghold in the Day of Trouble, and knoweth them that trust in +him.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Isle of Wight County, in Virginia</span>,<br /></span> +<span class="i0"><i>29th of the 5th Month, 1757</i>.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +</blockquote> + +<p>From the Yearly-meeting in <i>Virginia</i>, I went to <i>Carolina</i>; and, on the +first Day of the sixth Month, was at <i>Wells</i> Monthly-meeting, where the +Spring of the Gospel<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> Ministry was opened, and the Love of Jesus Christ +experienced amongst us: To his Name be the Praise!</p> + +<p>Here my Brother joined with some Friends from <i>New-Garden</i>, who were +going homeward; and I went next to <i>Simond's</i> 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 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 Understanding, 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 their Meeting expressed a Concern, that had some Time lain +upon him, on Account of Friends so much neglecting their Duty in the +Education of their Slaves; and proposed having Meetings sometimes +appointed for them on a Week-day, to be only attended 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 Understanding, 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 farther Consideration of it referred +to their next Monthly-meeting. The Friend who made this Proposal had +Negroes: He told me, that he was at <i>New-Garden</i>, 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 +<i>Virginia</i>, who had Slaves, told 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 that he saw a Time +coming, when divine Providence would alter the Circumstances of these +People, respecting their Condition as Slaves.</p> + +<p>From hence I went to <i>Newbegun Creek</i>, and sat a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> 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 to +the Head of <i>Little-River</i>, on a First-day, where was a crowded Meeting; +and, I believe, it was, through divine Goodness, made profitable to +some. Thence to the <i>Old-Neck</i>; where I was led into a careful searching +out the secret Workings of the Mystery of Iniquity, which, under a Cover +of Religion, exalts itself against that pure Spirit, which leads in the +Way of Meekness and Self-denial. From thence to <i>Pineywoods</i>: This was +the last Meeting I was at in <i>Carolina</i>, and was large; and, my Heart +being deeply engaged, I was drawn forth into a fervent Labour amongst +them.</p> + +<p>From hence I went back into <i>Virginia</i>, and had a Meeting near <span class="smcap">James +Cowpland's</span>; it was a Time of inward 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 comfortable Season.</p> + +<p>Travelling up and down of late, I have had renewed Evidences, that to be +faithful to the Lord, and content 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 a 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 Manner in which we +may be led may tend to our own Abasement; yet, if we continue in +Patience and Meekness, heavenly Peace is the Reward of our Labours.</p> + +<p>From thence I went to <i>Curles</i> Meeting; which, though small, was +reviving to the Honest-hearted. Thence to <i>Black-Creek</i> and <i>Caroline</i> +Meetings; from whence, accompanied by <span class="smcap">William Standley</span>, +before-mentioned, we rode<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> to <i>Goose-Creek</i>, being much through the +Woods, and about one hundred Miles.—We lodged the first Night at a +Publick-house; the second, in the Woods; and, the next Day, we reached a +Friend's House, at <i>Goose-Creek</i>. 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 in plenty; in the mean Time cutting with our Knives a Store against +Night, and then tying them, and gathering some Bushes under an Oak, we +lay down; but, the Musquettoes being plenty, and the Ground damp, I +slept but little: Thus, lying in the Wilderness, and looking at the +Stars, I was led to contemplate on 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 shewed 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 Improvements 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 are distinct from that Uprightness +in which Man was created; as the first Motion to them was evil, so the +Effects have been and are evil. At this Day, it is as necessary for us +constantly to attend on the heavenly Gift, to be qualified to use +rightly the good Things in this 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.</p> + +<p>I was at a Meeting at <i>Goose-Creek</i>; and next at a Monthly-meeting at +<i>Fairfax</i>; where, through the gracious Dealing of the Almighty with us, +his Power prevailed over many Hearts. Thence to <i>Manoquacy</i> and +<i>Pipe-Creek</i>, in <i>Maryland</i>; at both which Places I had Cause humbly to +adore him, who supported me through many<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> 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. Thence I had Meetings at +<i>John Everit's</i> in <i>Monalen</i>, and at <i>Huntingdon</i>; and I 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.</p> + +<p>At <i>Monalen</i>, a Friend gave me some Account of a religious Society among +the <i>Dutch</i>, called <i>Mennonists</i>; and, amongst other Things, related a +Passage in Substance as follows:—One of the <i>Mennonists</i> having +Acquaintance with a Man of another Society at a considerable Distance, +and being with his Waggon 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 said Acquaintance hearing where he lodged, and afterward +meeting the <i>Mennonist</i>, told him of it; adding, he should have been +heartily welcome at his House; and, from their Acquaintance in former +Time, wondered at his Conduct in that Case. The <i>Mennonist</i> replied, +Ever since I lodged by thy Field, I have wanted an Opportunity to speak +with thee: The Matter was; I intended to have 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: +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.</p> + +<p>Hence I was at three Meetings in my Way; and so I went Home, under a +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.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER V</h3> + +<blockquote><p><i>The draughting of the Militia in</i> New-Jersey <i>to serve in the Army; +with some Observations on the State of the Members of our Society at +that Time</i>—<i>His Visit to Friends in</i> Pennsylvania, <i>accompanied by</i> +<span class="smcap">Benjamin Jones</span>—<i>Proceedings at the Monthly, Quarterly, and +Yearly-Meetings, in</i> Philadelphia, <i>respecting those who keep Slaves</i></p></blockquote> + + +<p>On the ninth Day of the eighth Month, in the Year 1757, at Night, Orders +came to the military Officers in our County (<i>Burlington</i>), directing +them to draught the Militia, and prepare a Number of Men to go off as +Soldiers, to the Relief of the <i>English</i> at <i>Fort-William-Henry</i>, in +<i>New-York</i> Government: A few Days after which there was a general Review +of the Militia at <i>Mount-Holly</i>, and a Number of Men chosen and sent off +under some Officers. Shortly after, there came Orders to draught 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 <i>Mount-Holly</i>, who agreed on a +Draught; 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 <i>Mount-Holly</i>; amongst whom was 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 profess to be so meek<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> +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.</p> + +<p>Officers, in great Anxiety, endeavouring to get Troops to answer the +Demands of their Superiors, seeing Men, who are insincere, pretend +Scruple of Conscience in Hopes of being excused from a dangerous +Employment, such are likely to be roughly handled. In this Time of +Commotion some of our young Men left the Parts, and tarried abroad till +it was over; some came, and proposed 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 them 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 +provide 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 +<i>French</i> Army, taking the Fort they were besieging, destroyed it and +went away: The Company of Men first draughted, after some Days march, +had Orders to return Home; and those on the second Draught were no more +called upon on that Occasion.</p> + +<p>On the fourth Day of the fourth Month, in the Year 1758, Orders came to +some Officers in <i>Mount-Holly</i>, to prepare Quarters, a short Time, for +about one hundred Soldiers: And an Officer and two other Men, all +Inhabitants of our Town, came to my House; and the Officer told me, that +he came to speak with me, to provide Lodging and Entertainment for two +Soldiers, there being<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> six Shillings a Week per Man allowed as Pay for +it. The Case being new and unexpected, I made no Answer suddenly; but +sat a Time silent, my Mind being inward: I was fully convinced, that the +Proceedings in Wars are inconsistent with the Purity of the <i>Christian</i> +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 believe 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 consistent with my religious Principles; To which +I made no Reply; as believing Silence at that Time best for me. Though +they spake of two, there came only one, who tarried at my House about +two Weeks, and behaved himself civilly; and when the Officer came to pay +me, I told him I could not take Pay for it, having admitted him into my +House in a passive Obedience to Authority. I was on Horseback when he +spake 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.</p> + +<p>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 several Days been +disconsolate, occasioned by a Dream; wherein Death, and the Judgments of +the Almighty after Death, were represented to her 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, expressed 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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p> + +<p>In the eighth Month of the Year 1758, having had Drawings in my Mind to +be at the Quarterly-meeting in <i>Chester</i> County, and at some Meetings in +the County of <i>Philadelphia</i>, I went first to 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 the 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 Youth's Meeting at <i>Darby</i>, where my beloved Friend and Brother, +<span class="smcap">Benjamin Jones</span>, met me, by an Appointment before I left Home, to join in +the Visit: And we were at <i>Radnor</i>, <i>Merion</i>, <i>Richland</i>, <i>North-Wales</i>, +<i>Plymouth</i>, and <i>Abington</i> 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.</p> + +<p>The Monthly-meeting of <i>Philadelphia</i> having been under a Concern on +Account of some Friends who this Summer (1758) had bought Negro Slaves, +the said Meeting moved it to their Quarterly-meeting, to have the Minute +reconsidered in the Yearly-meeting, which was made last on that Subject: +And the said Quarterly-meeting appointed a Committee to consider it, and +report to their next; which Committee having met once and adjourned, I +going to <i>Philadelphia</i> 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: And, 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> 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.</p> + +<p>In this Yearly-meeting, several weighty Matters were considered; and, +toward the last, that in Relation to dealing 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 <i>David</i>, +that <i>Tears were my Meat Day and Night</i>. The Case of Slave-keeping lay +heavy upon me; nor did I find any Engagement to speak directly to any +other Matter before the Meeting. Now, when this Case was opened, several +faithful Friends spake weightily thereto, with which I was comforted; +and, feeling a Concern to cast in my Mite, I said in Substance as +follows:</p> + +<p>"In the Difficulties attending us in this Life, nothing is more precious +than the Mind of Truth inwardly manifested; and it is my earnest Desire +that, in this weighty 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 +them; 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 believe Way will open that they will +know how to steer through those Difficulties."</p> + +<p>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 Righteousness on the Earth: And, though none did openly +justify the Practice of Slave-keeping in general, yet some appeared +concerned, lest the Meeting should go into such Measures as might give +Uneasiness to many Brethren; alledging, that if Friends patiently +continued under the Exercise, the Lord, in Time to come might open a Way +for the Deliverance of these People: And, I finding an Engagement to +speak, said, "My Mind is often led to consider the Purity of the divine +Being, and the Justice of his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> Judgments; 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 Understandings, from one +Time to another, concerning our Duty towards this People; and it is not +a Time for Delay. Should we now be sensible of what he requires of us, +and, 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 by terrible Things in Righteousness God may answer us in this +Matter."</p> + +<p>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 effectually struck +at, until a thorough Search was made into the Circumstances of such +Friends as kept Negroes, with respect to the Righteousness of their +Motives in keeping them, that impartial Justice might be administered +throughout. Several Friends expressed their Desire, that a Visit might +be made to such Friends as kept Slaves; and many Friends said, that they +believed Liberty was the Negroes Right: To which, at length, no +Opposition was made publickly. A Minute was made more full on that +Subject than any heretofore; and the Names of several Friends entered, +who were free to join in a Visit to such as kept Slaves.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER VI</h3> + +<blockquote><p><i>His visiting the Quarterly-meetings in</i> Chester <i>County; and afterwards +joining with</i> <span class="smcap">Daniel Stanton</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">John Scarborough</span> <i>in a Visit to such +as kept Slaves there</i>—<i>Some Observations on the Conduct such should +maintain as are concerned to speak in Meetings for Discipline</i>—<i>Several +more Visits to such as kept Slaves; and to Friends near</i> Salem—<i>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</i>—<i>The Yearly-meeting Epistle</i></p></blockquote> + + +<p>On the eleventh Day of the eleventh Month, in the Year 1758, I set out +for <i>Concord</i>; the Quarterly-meeting, heretofore held there, was now, by +reason of a great Increase of Members, divided into two by the Agreement +of Friends, at our last Yearly-meeting. Here I met with our beloved +Friends, <span class="smcap">Samuel Spavold</span> and <span class="smcap">Mary Kirby</span>, from <i>England</i>, and with <span class="smcap">Joseph +White</span>, from <i>Bucks</i> County, who had taken Leave of his Family in order +to go on a religious Visit to Friends in <i>England</i>; and, through divine +Goodness, we were favoured with a strengthening Opportunity together.</p> + +<p>After this Meeting I joined with my Friends, <span class="smcap">Daniel Stanton</span> and <span class="smcap">John +Scarborough</span>, in visiting Friends who had Slaves; and at Night we had a +Family-meeting at <span class="smcap">William Trimble's</span>, 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 <i>Uwchland</i> 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 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 <i>Goshen</i> Monthly-meeting; and +thence, on the eighteenth Day of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> the eleventh Month, in the Year 1758, +attended the Quarterly-meeting at <i>London-Grove</i>, it being the first +held at that Place. Here we met again with all the before-mentioned +Friends, and had some edifying Meetings: And, near the Conclusion of the +Meeting for Business, Friends were incited to Constancy in supporting +the Testimony of Truth, and reminded of the Necessity which the +Disciples of Christ are under to attend principally to his Business, as +he is pleased to open it to us: 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 following 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.</p> + +<p>Each of these Quarterly-meetings was large, and sat near eight Hours. +Here I had Occasion to consider, that it was a weighty Thing to speak +much in large Meetings for Business: First, 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 Burthen of the Work is laid.</p> + +<p>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 +far, and adjourning a Meeting of Business is attended with great +Difficulty, it behoves all to be cautious how they detain a Meeting; +especially when they have sat six or seven Hours, and have a great +Distance to ride Home. After this Meeting I rode Home.</p> + +<p>In the Beginning of the twelfth Month of the Year 1758 I joined in +Company with my Friends, <span class="smcap">John Sykes</span> and <span class="smcap">Daniel Stanton</span>, in visiting such +as had Slaves: Some, whose Hearts were rightly exercised about them, +appeared<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>Philadelphia</i>, who +had Slaves, I met my Friend <span class="smcap">John Churchman</span> 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 the other Part of our Time was +mostly employed in visiting such as 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.</p> + +<p>On the twenty-fourth Day of the third Month of this Year, I was at our +general Spring-meeting at <i>Philadelphia</i>: After which, I again joined +with <span class="smcap">John Churchman</span> on a Visit to some more who had Slaves in +<i>Philadelphia</i>; and, with Thankfulness to our heavenly Father, I may +say, that divine Love and a true sympathising Tenderness of Heart +prevailed at Times in this Service.</p> + +<p>Having, at Times, perceived a Shyness in some Friends, of considerable +Note, towards me, I found an Engagement 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; So I went, and told him, in private, 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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p> + +<p>On the fourteenth Day of the sixth Month, in the same Year, having felt +Drawings in my Mind to visit Friends about <i>Salem</i>, and having the +Approbation of our Monthly-meeting therein, I attended their +Quarterly-meeting, and was out 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 found a near +Fellowship with the Brethren and Sisters, in the manifold Trials +attending their <i>Christian</i> Progress through this World.</p> + +<p>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 Company of such as were named on the Minutes 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 +Burthen.</p> + +<p>After this, our Friend <span class="smcap">John Churchman</span>, coming into 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.</p> + +<p>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 along this Continent, I observed in most of them, both +this Year and last, it was recommended to Friends to labour against +buying and keeping Slaves; and in some of them closely treated upon. +This Practice had 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. Now, observing 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.</p> + +<p>This Meeting continued near a Week; and, for several<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> Days, in the fore +Part 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: And, near 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 shew 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: +And I was led to mention the Integrity and Constancy of many Martyrs, +who gave their Lives for the Testimony of Jesus; 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 mutually 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 preserved +amongst us: And that if such, as were, at Times, under Sufferings on +Account of some Scruples of Conscience, kept low and humble, and in +their Conduct in Life manifested 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 contrary +Spirit and Conduct." In which 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!</p> + +<p>An Epistle went forth from this Yearly-meeting, which I think good to +give a Place in this Journal; being as follows:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>From the Yearly-meeting held at <i>Philadelphia</i>, for <i>Pennsylvania</i> +and <i>New-Jersey</i>, from the twenty-second Day of the ninth Month, to +the twenty-eighth Day of the same, inclusive, 1759.</p> + +<p>To the Quarterly and Monthly-meetings of Friends belonging to the +said Yearly-meeting.</p> + +<p>"Dearly beloved Friends and Brethren,—In an awful Sense of the +Wisdom and Goodness of 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.</p> + +<p>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 agreeable 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 Improvement of a Wilderness, +and made Way for them in the Hearts of the Natives; so that by them +they were comforted in Times of Want and Distress: It was by the +gracious Influences of his holy Spirit, that they were disposed 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 <i>Christian</i> +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 educate their Children in the Fear of the Lord.</p> + +<p>If we carefully consider the peaceable Measures pursued 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> to the Almighty, who, when the Earth is +so generally polluted with Wickedness, gave us a Being in a Part so +signally favoured with Tranquility and Plenty, and in which the +Glad-tidings of the Gospel of Christ are so freely published, that +we may justly say with the Psalmist, "What shall we render unto the +Lord for all his Benefits?"</p> + +<p>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, do sufficiently evidence the Truth of that Saying, "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;" and as a proud selfish +Spirit prevails and spreads among a People, so partial Judgment, +Oppression, Discord, Envy, and Confusions, 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 <i>Jews</i>, 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." <i>Jer.</i> ii. 19.</p> + +<p>The God of our Fathers, who hath bestowed on us many Benefits, +furnished a Table for us in the Wilderness, and made the Desarts +and solitary Places to rejoice; he doth now mercifully call upon us +to serve him more faithfully.—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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> appointed +it."—People, who look chiefly at Things outward, too little +consider the original Cause of the present Troubles; but such as +fear the Lord, and think often upon his Name, 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 +<i>English</i> and other Nations, since the Settlement of our Provinces, +the Calamities attending them have fallen chiefly on other Places, +but now of late they have reached to 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 <i>Indians</i>: We have seen Men and Women, +who have been Witnesses of these Scenes of Sorrow, and been 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 draughted, 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's Sake is +experienced.—Many Parents were concerned for their Children, and +in that 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 Troubles are removed, and for a Time we are +released from them.</p> + +<p>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;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> 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 Tranquility. 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 fore Judgments, and, with +Abasement and Humiliation turn to him, whom we have offended.</p> + +<p>Contending with one equal in Strength is an uneasy Exercise; but if +the Lord is become our Enemy, if we persist to contend with him who +is omnipotent, our Overthrow will be unavoidable.</p> + +<p>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 Dissolution; 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 an 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 +Corruptions; that, as they advance in Age, they may rightly +understand their true Interest, 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.</p> + +<p>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 more grievously entangle +them in that Spirit of Selfishness and Exaltation, which stands in +Opposition to real<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> Peace and Happiness; and renders them Enemies +to the Cross of Christ, who submit to the Influence of it.</p> + +<p>To keep a watchful eye towards real Objects of Charity, to visit +the Poor in their lonesome Dwelling-places, to comfort them who, +through the Dispensations of divine Providence, are in strait and +painful Circumstances in this Life, and steadily to endeavour to +honour God with our Substance, from a real Sense of the Love of +Christ influencing our Minds thereto, is more likely to bring a +Blessing to our Children, and will afford more Satisfaction to a +<i>Christian</i> 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."</p> + +<p>"Finally, Brethren, whatsoever Things are true, whatsoever Things +are just, whatsoever Things are pure, whatsoever Things are lovely, +whatsoever Things are of good Report; if there be any Virtue, if +there be any Praise, think on these Things and do them, and the God +of Peace shall be with you."</p> + +<p>Signed, by Appointment, and on Behalf of our said +Meeting, by seven Friends.</p></blockquote> + +<p>On the twenty-eighth Day of the eleventh Month, in the Year 1759, I was +at the Quarterly-meeting in <i>Bucks</i> 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.</p> + +<p>I had Conversation, at my Lodging, with my beloved Friend, <span class="smcap">Samuel +Eastburn</span>; who expressed a Concern to join in a Visit to some Friends, in +that County, who had Negroes; and as I had felt a Draught in my Mind to +that Work in the said County, came Home and put Things in Order: On the +eleventh Day of the twelfth Month following, I went over the River; and +on the next Day was at <i>Buckingham</i> Meeting; where, through the +Descendings of heavenly Dew, my Mind was comforted, and drawn into a +near Unity with the Flock of Jesus Christ.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p> + +<p>Entering upon this Visit appeared weighty: And before I left Home my +Mind was often sad; under which Exercise I felt, at Times, the Holy +Spirit, which helps our Infirmities; through which, in private, my +Prayers were, at Times, put up to God, that he would be pleased to purge +me from all Selfishness, that I might be strengthened to discharge my +Duty faithfully, how hard soever to the natural Part. We proceeded on +the Visit in a weighty Frame of Spirit, and went to the Houses of the +most active Members, throughout the Country, who had Negroes; and, +through the Goodness of the Lord, my Mind was preserved in Resignation +in Times of Trial, and, though the Work was hard to Nature, yet through +the Strength of that Love which is stronger than Death, Tenderness of +Heart was often felt amongst us in our Visits, and we parted from +several Families with greater Satisfaction than we expected.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>We visited <span class="smcap">Joseph White's</span> Family, he being in <i>England</i>; and also a +Family-sitting at the House of an Elder who bore us Company, and was at +<i>Makefield</i> 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.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER VII</h3> + +<blockquote><p><i>His Visit, in Company with</i> <span class="smcap">Samuel Eastburn</span>, <i>to</i> Long-Island, +Rhode-Island, Boston, <i>etc. in</i> New-England—<i>Remarks on the Slave-Trade +at</i> Newport, <i>and his Exercise on that Account; also on +Lotteries</i>—<i>Some Observations on the Island of</i> Nantucket</p></blockquote> + + +<p>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 seventeenth Day of the fourth Month, in +the Year 1760, joining in Company, by a previous Agreement, with my +beloved Friend, <span class="smcap">Samuel Eastburn</span>. We had Meetings at <i>Woodbridge</i>, +<i>Rahaway</i>, and <i>Plainfield</i>; and were at their Monthly-meeting of +Ministers and Elders in <i>Rahaway</i>. 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 the +chief of the Meetings on <i>Long-Island</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>The Spring of the Ministry was often low; and, through 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 +earnestly with the Unfaithful, especially with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> 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 <i>Jericho</i>, on <i>Long-Island</i>, I wrote +Home as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p class="right"><i>24th of the 4th Month, 1760.</i></p> + +<p>"Dearly beloved Wife,—We are favoured with Health; have been at +sundry Meetings in <i>East-Jersey</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>"As the present Appearance of Things is not joyous, I have been +much shut up from outward Cheerfulness, remembering that Promise, +'Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord:'—As this, from Day +to Day, has been revived in my Memory, I have considered that his +internal 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 regards the Helpless and +Distressed, and reveals his Love to his Children under Affliction; +they delight in beholding his Benevolence, and feeling divine +Charity moving upon them: Of this I may speak a little; for though, +since I left you, I have often found an engaging Love and Affection +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 remember there are many Widows and Fatherless, +many who have poor Tutors, many who have evil Examples before them, +and many whose Minds are in Captivity, for whose Sake my Heart is, +at Times, moved with Compassion; so 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 Fellow-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,</p> + +<p class="right">"J. W."</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p> + +<p>We crossed from the East End of <i>Long-Island</i> to <i>New-London</i>, about +thirty Miles, in a large open Boat; while we were out, the Wind rising +high, the Waves several Times beat over us, so that 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 them.</p> + +<p>We had five Meetings in <i>Narraganset</i>; and went thence to <i>Newport</i> on +<i>Rhode-Island</i>. Our gracious Father preserved us in an humble Dependence +on him through deep Exercises, that were mortifying to the creaturely +Will. In 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 appeared singular from many, +whose Service in Travelling, I believe, is greater than mine; I do not +think hard of them for omitting it; I do not 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.</p> + +<p>We got to <i>Newport</i> 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.</p> + +<p>The next Day we were at Meetings at <i>Newport</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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 <i>Guinea</i>, +made deep Impression 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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span></p> + +<p>We took <i>Swansea</i>, <i>Freetown</i>, and <i>Tanton</i>, in our Way to <i>Boston</i>; +where also we had a Meeting; our Exercise was deep, and the Love of +Truth prevailed, for which I bless the Lord. We went Eastward about +eighty Miles beyond <i>Boston</i>, taking Meetings, and were in a good Degree +preserved in an humble Dependance on that Arm which drew us out; and, +though we had some hard Labour with the Disobedient, laying Things home +and close 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 <i>Boston</i>, and had +another comfortable Opportunity with Friends there; and thence rode back +a Day's Journey Eastward of <i>Boston</i>: 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; this we did, as believing the Journey would have +been hard to him and his Horse.</p> + +<p>We visited the Meetings in those Parts, and were measurably baptized +into a feeling of the State of the Society: And in Bowedness of Spirit +went to the Yearly-meeting at <i>Newport</i>; where I understood that a large +Number of Slaves were imported from <i>Africa</i> into that Town, and then on +Sale by a Member of our Society. At this Meeting we met with <span class="smcap">John Storer</span> +from <i>England</i>, <span class="smcap">Elizabeth Shipley</span>, <span class="smcap">Ann Gaunt</span>, <span class="smcap">Hannah Foster</span>, and <span class="smcap">Mercy +Redman</span>, from our Parts, all Ministers of the Gospel, of whose Company I +was glad.</p> + +<p>At this Time my Appetite failed, and I grew outwardly weak, and had a +Feeling of the Condition of <i>Habakkuk</i> as there 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> multiply Troubles, and bring Distresses on the People in +those parts, for whose Welfare my Heart was deeply concerned.</p> + +<p>But I perceived several Difficulties in Regard to petitioning; and such +was the Exercise of my Mind, that I had 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 enquired 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.</p> + +<p>As I was desirous to attend the Business of the Meeting, and perceived +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; on the last Day +of which, 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 +shewed them the Essay I had made; and afterward opened the Case in the +Meeting for Business, in Substance as follows:</p> + +<p>"I have been under a Concern for some Time, on Account of the great +Number of Slaves which are imported in 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 Legislature; 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 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 farther Notice of it at a Meeting or not." After a short<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> +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 +as 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 as a Duty; for my Heart yearned +toward the Inhabitants of these Parts; believing 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 +Humility, 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.</p> + +<p>Having thus far proceeded, I felt easy to leave the Essay among Friends, +for them to proceed in it as they believed best. And now an Exercise +revived on my Mind in Relation to Lotteries, which were common in those +Parts: I had once 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: And now, on +moving it again, it was opposed 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 Selfishness, which tended to Confusion and Darkness of +Understanding; and that pleading for it in our Meetings, set apart for +the Lord's Work, was not right: And, in the Heat of Zeal, I once made +Reply to what an ancient Friend said, though when I sat down, I saw that +my Words were not enough seasoned with Charity; and, after this, I spake +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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> inciting Friends +to labour to discourage the Practice amongst all professing with us.</p> + +<p>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 Uneasiness, but was concerned that I might say nothing to +weaken the Cause in which I had laboured; and then, after some close +Exercise and hearty Repentance, for that I had not attended closely to +the safe Guide, I stood up, and reciting the Passage, acquainted +Friends, that, though I durst not go from what I had said as to the +Matter, yet I was uneasy with the Manner of my speaking, as 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.</p> + +<p>The Yearly-meeting being now over, there yet remained on my Mind a +secret, though heavy, Exercise in regard to some leading active Members +about <i>Newport</i>, being in the Practice of Slave-keeping. This I +mentioned to two ancient Friends, who came out of the Country, and +proposed 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, encouraged me to proceed to clear myself of what lay upon me. +Now I had, near the Beginning of the Yearly-meeting, a private +Conference with this said Elder and his Wife concerning 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 unkind +to be asked to come together, and to be spoke with one in the hearing of +another, 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 only Ministers, Elders, and Overseers, he named some others, who he +desired might be present also: And, as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> a careful Messenger was wanted +to acquaint 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, +the next Morning, we met in the Meeting-house Chamber, and the +last-mentioned Country Friend, also my Companion, and <span class="smcap">John Storer</span>, with +us; when, after a short Time of Retirement, I acquainted them with the +Steps I had taken in procuring that Meeting, and opened the Concern I +was under; and so 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 us with the seasoning Virtue of Truth, which +wrought a Tenderness amongst us; and the Subject was mutually handled in +a calm and peaceable Spirit: And, at length, feeling my Mind released +from that Burthen which I had been under, I took my Leave of them, in a +good Degree of Satisfaction; and, by the Tenderness 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, 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 Resignation through these Trials.</p> + +<p>Thou, who sometimes travellest in the Work of the Ministry, 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 mayst 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 disqualified by a superficial +Friendship; and as the Sense thereof hath abased me, and my Cries have +been to the Lord, so I have been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> 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.</p> + +<p>The Office of a Minister of Christ is weighty; and they, who go forth as +Watchmen, had need to be steadily on their Guard against the Snares of +Prosperity and an outside Friendship.</p> + +<p>After the Yearly-meeting, we were at Meetings at <i>New-Town</i>, <i>Cushnet</i>, +<i>Long-Plain</i>, <i>Rochester</i>, and <i>Dartmouth</i>: From thence we sailed for +<i>Nantucket</i>, in Company with <span class="smcap">Ann Gaunt</span> and <span class="smcap">Mercy Redman</span>, and several +other Friends: The Wind being slack, we only reached <i>Tarpawling-Cove</i> +the first Day; where, going on Shore, we found Room in a Publick-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 <i>Nantucket</i>; and then, 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 their 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 sensible 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 Friends Houses, where the heavenly Wing +was, at Times, spread over us, to our mutual Comfort.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p> + +<p>My beloved Companion had very acceptable Service on this Island.</p> + +<p>When Meeting was over, we all agreed to sail the next Day, if the +Weather was suitable and we well; and, being called up the latter Part +of the Night, we went on board a Vessel, being in all about fifty; but, +the Wind changing, the Seamen thought best to stay in the Harbour till +it altered; so we returned on Shore; and, feeling clear as to any +farther Visits, I spent my Time in our Chamber chiefly alone; and, after +some Hours, my Heart being filled with the Spirit of Supplication, my +Prayers and Tears were poured out, before my heavenly Father, for his +Help and Instruction in the manifold Difficulties which attended me in +Life: And, while I was waiting upon the Lord, there came a Messenger +from the Women Friends, who lodged at another House, desiring to confer +with us about appointing a Meeting, which to me appeared weighty, as we +had been at so many before; but, after a short Conference, and advising +with some elderly Friends, a Meeting was appointed, in which the Friend, +who first moved it, and who had been much shut up before, was largely +opened in the Love of the Gospel: And the next Morning, about Break of +Day, going again on board the Vessel, we reached <i>Falmouth</i> on the Main +before Night; where our Horses being brought, we proceeded toward +<i>Sandwich</i> Quarterly-meeting.</p> + +<p>Being two Days in going to <i>Nantucket</i>, and having been there once +before, I observed many Shoals in their Bay, which make Sailing more +dangerous, especially in stormy Nights; also, that a great Shoal, which +encloses their Harbour, prevents their going in with Sloops, except when +the Tide is up; waiting without which, for the Rising of the Tide, is +sometimes hazardous in Storms; waiting within, they sometimes miss a +fair Wind. I took Notice, that on that small Island was a great Number +of Inhabitants, and the Soil not very fertile; the Timber so gone, that +for Vessels, Fences, and Firewood, they depend chiefly on the buying +from the Main; the Cost whereof, with most of their other Expences, they +depend principally upon the Whale-fishery to answer. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> considered, that +as Towns grew larger, and Lands near navigable Waters more cleared, +Timber and Wood require more Labour to get it: I understood that the +Whales being much hunted, and sometimes wounded and not killed, grew +more shy and difficult to come at: I considered that the Formation of +the Earth, the Seas, the Islands, Bays, and Rivers, the Motions of the +Winds and great Waters, which cause Bars and Shoals in particular +Places, were all the Works of him who is perfect Wisdom and Goodness; +and, as People attend to his heavenly Instruction, and put their Trust +in him, he provides for them in all Parts where he gives them a Being. +And as, in this Visit to these People, I felt a strong Desire for their +firm Establishment on the sure Foundation, besides what was said more +publickly, I was concerned to speak with the Women Friends, in their +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 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 of running great Hazards +to support them in it; encouraging the young Women in their neat decent +Way of attending themselves on the Affairs of the House; shewing, 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 Calmness of Mind, than they have had +who, aspiring to Greatness and outward Shew, have grasped hard for an +Income to support themselves in it: And, as I observed they had few or +no Slaves amongst them, I had to encourage them to be content without +them; making mention of the numerous Troubles and Vexations which +frequently attend the Minds of People who depend on Slaves to do their +Labour.</p> + +<p>We attended the Quarterly-meeting at <i>Sandwich</i>, in Company with <span class="smcap">Ann +Gaunt</span> and <span class="smcap">Mercy Redman</span>, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> was preceded by a Monthly-meeting; and in +the whole held three Days: We were 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 stirring up of the Negligent. Here we parted with <span class="smcap">Ann</span> and +<span class="smcap">Mercy</span>, and went to <i>Rhode-Island</i>, taking one Meeting in our Way, which +was a satisfactory Time; and, reaching <i>Newport</i> 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 inward 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 heavenly Shepherd. The last +Meeting, in which Friends from the several Parts of the Quarter came +together, was a select Meeting; and, through the renewed Manifestation +of the Father's Love, the Hearts of the Sincere were united together.</p> + +<p>That Poverty of Spirit, and inward Weakness, with which I was much tried +the fore Part of this Journey, have of late appeared to me as a +Dispensation of Kindness. Appointing Meetings never appeared more +weighty to me; and I was led into a deep Search, whether in all Things +my Mind was resigned to the Will of God; 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 the secret Movings of the heavenly 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.</p> + +<p>From <i>Newport</i> we went to <i>Greenwich</i>, <i>Shanticut</i>, and <i>Warwick</i>; and +were helped to labour amongst Friends in the Love of our gracious +Redeemer: And then,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> accompanied by our Friend, <span class="smcap">John Casey</span>, from +<i>Newport</i>, we rode through <i>Connecticut</i> to <i>Oblong</i>, visited the +Meetings of Friends in those Parts, and thence proceeded to the +Quarterly-meeting at <i>Ryewoods</i>; and, through the gracious Extendings of +divine Help, had some seasoning Opportunities in those Places: So we +visited Friends at <i>New York</i> and <i>Flushing</i>; and thence to <i>Rahaway</i>: +And here, our Roads parting, I took Leave of my beloved Companion, and +true Yoke-mate, <span class="smcap">Samuel Eastburn</span>; and reached Home on the tenth Day of +the eighth Month, 1760, where I found my Family well: And, for the +Favours and Protection 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.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER VIII</h3> + +<blockquote><p><i>His Visits to</i> Pennsylvania, Shrewsbury, <i>and</i> Squan<i>—His publishing +the second Part of Considerations on keeping Negroes</i>—<i>His visiting the +Families of Friends of</i> Ancocas <i>and</i> Mount-Holly <i>Meetings</i>—<i>His +Visits to the</i> Indians <i>at</i> Wehaloosing <i>on the River</i> Susquehannah</p></blockquote> + + +<p>Having felt my Mind drawn toward a Visit to a few Meetings in +<i>Pennsylvania</i>, I was very desirous to be rightly instructed as to the +Time of setting off: And, on the tenth Day of the fifth Month, 1761, +being the first Day of the Week, I went to <i>Haddonfield</i> Meeting, +concluding to seek for heavenly Instruction, and come Home, or go on, as +I might then believe best for me; and there, through the springing up of +pure Love, I felt Encouragement, 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, who 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.</p> + +<p>In the eighth Month, 1761, having felt Drawings in my Mind to visit +Friends in and about <i>Shrewsbury</i>, I went there, and was at their +Monthly-meeting, and their First-day-meeting; and had a Meeting at +<i>Squan</i>, and another at <i>Squankum</i>; and, as Way opened, had Conversation +with some noted Friends concerning their Slaves: And I returned Home in +a thankful Sense of the Goodness of the Lord.</p> + +<p>From the Care I felt growing in me some Years, I wrote Considerations on +keeping Negroes, Part the Second; which was printed this Year, 1762. +When the Overseers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> 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 Expence, +and, offering my Reasons, they appeared satisfied.</p> + +<p>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 not at their Expence; and such often, receiving +them as a Gift, conceal them: But as they, who make a Purchase, +generally buy that which they have a Mind for, I believe 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 +own 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 <i>Virginia</i>, some to <i>New-York</i>, and +some to <i>Newport</i>, to my Acquaintance there; and some I kept, expecting +to give Part of them away, where there appeared a Prospect of Service.</p> + +<p>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: +So that, being often weary, I was prepared to sympathize with those +whose Circumstances in Life, as free Men, required constant Labour to +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 as 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: And, 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> 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, as had +great Estates, generally lived in that Humility and Plainness which +belongs to a <i>Christian</i> Life, and laid much easier Rents and Interests +on their Lands and Monies, 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 pure Wisdom, be discontinued. And, 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 agreeable to universal +Righteousness? And then there hath some Degree of Sadness, at Times, +come over me, for that I accustomed myself to some Things, which +occasioned more Labour than I believe divine Wisdom intends for us.</p> + +<p>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 Principle; and in this Circumstance have been +affected with a Sense of my own Wretchedness, and in a mourning +Condition felt earnest Longing for that divine Help, which brings the +Soul into true Liberty; and 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.</p> + +<p>In visiting People of Note in the Society who had Slaves, and labouring +with them in brotherly Love on that Account, I have seen, and the Sight +hath affected me, that a Conformity to some Customs, distinguishable +from pure Wisdom, has entangled many; and the Desire of Gain, to support +these Customs, greatly opposed the Work of Truth: And sometimes, when +the Prospect of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> the Work before me has been such, that in Bowedness of +Spirit, I have been drawn into retired Places, and besought the Lord +with Tears that he would take me wholly under his Direction, and shew me +the Way in which I ought to walk, it hath revived, with Strength of +Conviction, that, if I would be his faithful Servant, I must, in all +Things, attend to his Wisdom, and be teachable; and so cease from all +Customs contrary thereto, however used amongst religious People.</p> + +<p>As he is the Perfection of Power, of Wisdom, and of Goodness, so, I +believe, he hath provided, that so much Labour shall be necessary for +Men's Support, in this World, as would, being rightly divided, be a +suitable Employment of their Time; and that we cannot go into +Superfluities, or grasp after Wealth in a Way contrary to his Wisdom, +without having Connection with some Degree of Oppression, and with that +Spirit which leads to Self-exaltation and Strife, and which frequently +brings Calamities on Countries, by Parties contending about their +Claims.</p> + +<p>In the eleventh Month of the Year 1762, feeling an Engagement of Mind to +visit some Families in <i>Mansfield</i>. I joined my beloved Friend, <span class="smcap">Benjamin +Jones</span>, and we spent a few Days together in that Service. In the second +Month, 1763, I joined in Company with <span class="smcap">Elizabeth Smith</span> and <span class="smcap">Mary Noble</span> on +a Visit to the Families of Friends at <i>Ancocas</i>; in both which Visits, +through the baptizing Power of Truth, the sincere Labourers were often +comforted, and the Hearts of Friends opened to receive us. And, in the +fourth Month following, I accompanied some Friends in a Visit to the +Families of Friends in <i>Mount-Holly</i>, in which my Mind was often drawn +into an inward Awfulness, wherein strong Desires were raised for the +everlasting Welfare of my Fellow-creatures; and, through the Kindness of +our heavenly Father, our Hearts were, at Times, enlarged, and Friends +invited, in the Flowings of divine Love, to attend to that which would +settle them on the sure Foundation.</p> + +<p>Having many Years felt Love in my Heart towards the Natives of this +Land, who dwell far back in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> Wilderness, whose Ancestors were the +Owners and Possessors of the Land where we dwell; and who, for a very +small Consideration, assigned their Inheritance to us; and, being at +<i>Philadelphia</i>, in the eighth Month, 1761, in 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 <i>Susquehannah</i>, at an <i>Indian</i> Town +called <i>Wehaloosing</i>, two hundred Miles from <i>Philadelphia</i>, and, in +Conversation with them by an Interpreter, as also by Observations on +their Countenances and Conduct, I believed some of them were measurably +acquainted with that divine Power which subjects the rough and forward +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; and, then, in the Winter, 1762, I laid it before +Friends at our Monthly and Quarterly, and afterwards at our general +Spring-meeting; and, having the Unity of Friends, and being thoughtful +about an <i>Indian</i> Pilot, there came a Man and three Women from a little +beyond that Town to <i>Philadelphia</i> on Business: And I, being informed +thereof by Letter, met them in Town in the fifth Month, 1763; and, after +some Conversation, finding they were sober People, I, by the Concurrence +of Friends in that Place, agreed to join with them as Companions in +their Return; and, on the seventh Day of the sixth Month following, we +appointed to meet at <span class="smcap">Samuel Foulk's</span>, at <i>Richland</i> in <i>Bucks</i> County. +Now, as this Visit felt weighty, and was performed at a Time when +Travelling appeared perilous, so the Dispensations of divine Providence, +in preparing my Mind for it, have been memorable; and I believe it good +for me to give some Hints thereof.</p> + +<p>After I had given up to go, the Thoughts of the Journey 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: And, being +at our Youths Meeting at <i>Chesterfield</i>, about a Week before the Time I +expected to set off,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> I was there led to speak on that Prayer of our +Redeemer to his Father: "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of +the World, but that thou shouldest keep them from the Evil." And, in +attending to the pure Openings of Truth, I had to mention what he +elsewhere said to his Father; "I know that thou hearest me at all +Times:" So that, as some of his Followers kept their Places, and as his +Prayer was granted, it followed necessarily that they were kept from +Evil: And, 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 befals 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 +if relates to them. As I spake on this Subject, my Heart was much +tendered, and great Awfulness came over me; and then, on the first Day +of the next Week, being at our own Afternoon-meeting, and 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 <i>Assyrians</i> endeavouring to take captive the Prophet, were +disappointed; and how the Psalmist said, "The Angel of the Lord +encampeth round about them that fear him." And thus, in true Love and +Tenderness, I parted from Friends, expecting 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 Publick-house in our +Town, who came from <i>Philadelphia</i> so late, that Friends were generally +gone to Bed: These Friends informed me, that an Express arrived the last +Morning from <i>Pittsburgh</i>, and brought News that the <i>Indians</i> had taken +a Fort from the <i>English</i> Westward, and slain and scalped <i>English</i> +People in divers Places, some near the said <i>Pittsburgh</i>; and that some +elderly Friends in <i>Philadelphia</i>, 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; so I, going again to Bed, told<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> 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 Conflict 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.</p> + +<p>The Subjects before-mentioned, on which I had so lately spoken in +publick, 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. So I took +Leave of my Family and Neighbours, in much Bowedness of Spirit, and went +to our Monthly-meeting at <i>Burlington</i>; and, after taking Leave of +Friends there, I crossed the River, accompanied by my Friends, <span class="smcap">Israel</span> +and <span class="smcap">John Pemberton</span>; and, parting the next Morning with <span class="smcap">Israel</span>, <span class="smcap">John</span> bore +me Company to <span class="smcap">Samuel Foulk's</span>, where I met the before-mentioned +<i>Indians</i>, and we were glad to see each other: Here my Friend, <span class="smcap">Benjamin +Parvin</span>, 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 indeed a Time of deep Exercise, and <span class="smcap">Benjamin</span> +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, <span class="smcap">John Pemberton</span>, and +<span class="smcap">William Lightfoot</span> of <i>Pikeland</i>, and lodged at <i>Bethlehem</i>; and there, +parting with <span class="smcap">John</span>, <span class="smcap">William</span> and we went forward on the ninth Day of the +sixth Month, and got Lodging on the Floor of a House, about five Miles +from <i>Fort-Allen</i>:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> Here we parted with <span class="smcap">William</span>; and at this Place we +met with an <i>Indian</i> Trader, lately come from <i>Wioming</i>; and, in +Conversation with him, I perceived that many white People do often sell +Rum to the <i>Indians</i>, 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 Mischief; 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 Clothing, +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 <i>English</i>. Where cunning People 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: And while my Mind, this Evening, +was thus employed, 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 independent on such as are +wealthy, who often set high Rents on their Land: Being renewedly +confirmed in a Belief, that, if all our Inhabitants lived according to +sound Wisdom, labouring to promote universal Love and Righteousness, and +ceased from every inordinate Desire after Wealth, and from all Customs +which are tinctured with Luxury, the Way would be easy for our +Inhabitants, though much more numerous than at present, to live +comfortably on honest Employments, without having that Temptation they +are often under of being drawn into Schemes to make Settlements on Lands +which have not been purchased of the <i>Indians</i>, or of applying to that +wicked Practice of selling Rum to them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p> + +<p>On the tenth Day of the Month we set out early in the Morning, and +crossed the Western Branch of <i>Delaware</i>, called the <i>Great Lehie</i>, near +<i>Fort-Allen</i>; the Water being high, we went over in a Canoe: Here we met +an <i>Indian</i>, and had some friendly Conversation with him, and gave him +some Biscuit; and he having killed a Deer, gave the <i>Indians</i> with us +some of it: Then, after travelling some Miles, we met several <i>Indian</i> +Men and Women with a Cow and Horse, and some Household Goods, who were +lately come from their Dwelling at <i>Wioming</i>, and going to settle at +another Place; we made them some small Presents, and, some of them +understanding <i>English</i>, I told them my Motive in coming into their +Country, with which they appeared satisfied: And, 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 Affection. 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 Desarts appeared +awful: Toward whom my Heart was turned during this Day's Travel.</p> + +<p>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 +Warriours: And, as I walked about viewing those <i>Indian</i> 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 Warriours, travelling over +Mountains and Desarts; thinking on their Miseries and Distresses when +wounded far from Home by their Enemies; and of their 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;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> 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 proposed to lay under our Blankets, being 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: So 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.</p> + +<p>The eleventh Day of the sixth Month, the Bushes being wet, we tarried in +our Tent till about eight o'Clock; when, going on, we crossed a high +Mountain supposed to be upwards 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.</p> + +<p>About Noon, on our Way, we were overtaken by one of the <i>Moravian</i> +Brethren, going to <i>Wehaloosing</i>, and an <i>Indian</i> Man with him, who +could talk <i>English</i>; and we, being together while our Horses ate Grass, +had some friendly Conversation; but they, travelling faster than we, +soon left us. This <i>Moravian</i>, I understood, had spent some Time this +Spring at <i>Wehaloosing</i>, and was, by some of the <i>Indians</i>, invited to +come again.</p> + +<p>The twelfth Day of the sixth Month, and first of the Week, it being a +rainy Day, we continued in our Tent; and here I was led to think on the +Nature of the Exercise which hath attended me: Love was the first +Motion, and thence a Concern arose to spend some Time with the +<i>Indians</i>, 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> forward by my following the Leadings of +Truth amongst them: And, as it pleased the Lord to make Way for my going +at a Time when the Troubles of War were increasing, and when, by Reason +of much wet Weather, Travelling was more difficult than usual at that +Season, 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 concerning me, I was made quiet and content.</p> + +<p>Our Guide's Horse, though hoppled, went away in the Night; 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, about seven Hours after, returned with him: And here we +lodged again; tying up our Horses before we went to Bed, and loosing +them to feed about Break of Day.</p> + +<p>On the thirteenth Day of the sixth Month, the Sun appearing, we set +forward; and, as I rode over the barren Hills, my Meditations were on +the Alterations of the Circumstances of the Natives of this Land since +the Coming in of the <i>English</i>. 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 passing up and down easy with any Kind of +Traffic. Those Natives have, in some Places, for trifling +Considerations, sold their Inheritance so favourably situated; and, in +other Places, been driven back by superior Force: So that in many +Places, as their Way of clothing themselves is now altered from what it +was, and they, far remote from us, have to pass over Mountains, Swamps, +and barren Desarts, Travelling is very troublesome, in bringing their +Skins and Furs to trade with us.</p> + +<p>By the extending of <i>English</i> Settlements, and partly by <i>English</i> +Hunters, the wild Beasts, they chiefly depend on for a Subsistance, are +not so plenty as they were; and People too often, for the Sake of Gain, +open a Door for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> them to waste their Skins and Furs, in purchasing a +Liquor which tends to the Ruin of them and their Families.</p> + +<p>My own Will and Desires were now very much broken, and 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 <i>English</i> along the +Coast, for upwards of nine hundred Miles, where I had travelled; and the +favourable Situation of the <i>English</i>, and the Difficulties attending +the Natives in many Places, and 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 <i>Gentiles</i>, who do not profess <i>Christianity</i>, +whether the Blacks from <i>Africa</i>, or the native Inhabitants of this +Continent: And here I was led into a close laborious Enquiry, whether I, +as an Individual, kept clear from all Things which tended to stir up, or +were connected with Wars, either in this Land or <i>Africa</i>; 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 +Simplicity of a sincere Follower of Christ. And, in this lonely Journey, +I did, this Day, greatly bewail the Spreading of a wrong Spirit, +believing, that the prosperous, convenient, Situation of the <i>English</i>, +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 Mankind: And, here, +Luxury and Covetousness, with the numerous Oppressions, and other Evils +attending them, appeared very afflicting to me; and I felt in that which +is immutable, that the Seeds of great Calamity and Desolation are sown +and growing fast on this Continent: Nor have I Words sufficient to set +forth that 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> check the Growth of +these Seeds, that they may not ripen to the Ruin of our Posterity.</p> + +<p>We reached the <i>Indian</i> Settlement at <i>Wioming</i>; and here we were told, +that an <i>Indian</i> Runner had been at that Place a Day or two before us, +and brought News of the <i>Indians</i> taking an <i>English</i> Fort westward, and +destroying the People, and that they were endeavouring to take another; +and also, that another <i>Indian</i> Runner came there about the Middle of +the Night before we got there, who came from a Town about ten Miles +above <i>Wehaloosing</i>, and brought News, that some <i>Indian</i> Warriours, +from distant Parts, came to that Town with two <i>English</i> Scalps, and +told the People, that it was War with the <i>English</i>.</p> + +<p>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 <i>Indian</i> House +some Distance off; and I, perceiving there was a Man near the Door, went +out; and, having a Tomahawk wrapped 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 +<i>English</i>: My Companion 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 +disagreeable Appearance, I believe he had no other Intent than to be in +Readiness in case any Violence was offered to him.</p> + +<p>Hearing the News brought by these <i>Indian</i> Runners, and being told by +the <i>Indians</i> where we lodged, that what <i>Indians</i> were about <i>Wioming</i> +expected, in a few Days, to move to some larger Towns, I thought that, +to all outward Appearance, it was dangerous Travelling at this Time; and +was, after a hard Day's Journey, 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> +Weakness which, at Times, had attended me, yet I could not find that I +had ever given way to a wilful Disobedience: And then, as I believed I +had, under a Sense of Duty, come thus far, I was now earnest in Spirit, +beseeching the Lord to shew 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 Disgrace +arising on my returning without performing the Visit, might have some +Place in me: Thus I lay, full of Thoughts, great Part of the Night, +while my beloved Companion lay and slept by me; till the Lord, my +gracious Father, who saw the Conflicts of my Soul, was pleased to give +Quietness: Then I was again strengthened 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.</p> + +<p>On the fourteenth Day of the sixth Month, we sought out and visited all +the <i>Indians</i> hereabout that we could meet with; they being chiefly in +one Place, about a Mile from where we lodged, in all perhaps twenty. +Here I expressed the Care I had on my Mind for their Good; and told +them, that true Love had made me willing thus to leave my Family to come +and see the <i>Indians</i>, and speak with them in their Houses. Some of them +appeared kind and friendly. So we took our Leave of these <i>Indians</i>, and +went up the River <i>Susquehannah</i>, about three Miles, to the House of an +<i>Indian</i>, called <span class="smcap">Jacob January</span>, who had killed his Hog; and the Women +were making 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; so that we, being detained some Hours, had a good deal +of friendly Conversation with the Family; and, eating Dinner with them, +we 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 them over a Creek, called <i>Lahawahamunk</i>, we +pitched 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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> and inclining my Heart to trust in him, I +lay down in an humble bowed Frame of Mind, and had a comfortable Night's +Lodging.</p> + +<p>On the fifteenth Day of the sixth Month, we proceeded forward till the +Afternoon; when, a Storm appearing, we met our Canoe at an appointed +Place; and, the Rain continuing, we stayed all Night, which was so +heavy, that it beat through our Tent, and wet us and our Baggage.</p> + +<p>On the sixteenth Day, we found, on our Way, abundance of Trees blown +down with the Storm the Day before; 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 abundance 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.</p> + +<p>I had this Day often to consider myself as a Sojourner in this 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.</p> + +<p>We seldom saw our Canoe but at appointed Places, by reason of the Path +going off from the River; and, this Afternoon, <span class="smcap">Job Chilaway</span>, an <i>Indian</i> +from <i>Wehaloosing</i>, who talks good <i>English</i>, and is acquainted with +several People in and about <i>Philadelphia</i>, 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. <span class="smcap">Job</span> told us, that an <i>Indian</i> came in +Haste to their Town yesterday, and told them, that three Warriours, +coming from some Distance, lodged in a Town above <i>Wehaloosing</i> a few +Nights past; and that these three Men were going against the <i>English</i> +at <i>Juniata</i>. <span class="smcap">Job</span> was going down the River to the Province-store at +<i>Shamokin</i>. Though I was so far favoured with Health as to continue +travelling, yet, through the various Difficulties in our Journey, and +the different Way of living from what I had been used to, I grew sick; +and the News of these Warriours being on their March so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> 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 to be renewed, that I might persevere +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.</p> + +<p>On the seventeenth Day, parting from <span class="smcap">Job Chilaway</span>, we went on, and +reached <i>Wehaloosing</i> about the Middle of the Afternoon, and the first +<i>Indian</i> that we saw was a Woman of a modest Countenance, with a Bible, +who first spake to our Guide; and then, with a harmonious Voice, +expressed her Gladness at seeing us, having before heard of our Coming: +Then, 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 +Conkshell blow several Times, and then came <span class="smcap">John Curtis</span>, and another +<i>Indian</i> Man, who kindly invited us into a House near the Town, where we +found, I suppose, about sixty People sitting in Silence; and, after +sitting a short Time, I stood up, and in some Tenderness of Spirit +acquainted them with the Nature of my Visit, and that a Concern for +their Good had made me 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 shewed them my +Certificate, which was explained to them; and the <i>Moravian</i>, who +overtook us on the Way, being now here, bade me welcome.</p> + +<p>On the eighteenth Day: We rested ourselves this Forenoon; and the +<i>Indians</i>, knowing that the <i>Moravian</i> and I were of different religious +Societies, and as some of their People had encouraged him to come and +stay a While with them, were, I believe, concerned that no Jarring or +Discord might be in their Meetings: And they, I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> 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 <i>Moravian</i> would speak in their settled Meetings, +which are commonly held Morning and near Evening. So I found Liberty in +my Heart to speak to the <i>Moravian</i>, 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 it, if I sometimes spake 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: So, near +Evening, I was at their Meeting, where the pure Gospel-love was felt, to +the tendering some of our Hearts; and the Interpreters, endeavouring to +acquaint the People with what I said in short Sentences, found some +Difficulty, as none of them were quite perfect in the <i>English</i> and +<i>Delaware</i> Tongues; so they helped one another, and we laboured along, +divine Love attending: And afterwards, feeling my Mind covered with the +Spirit of Prayer, I told the Interpreters 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: And, before the People went out, I +observed <span class="smcap">Papunehang</span> (the 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 as +follows: "I love to feel where Words come from."</p> + +<p>On the nineteenth Day, and first of the Week: This Morning, in the +Meeting, the <i>Indian</i>, who came with the <i>Moravian</i>, being also a Member +of that Society, prayed; and then the <i>Moravian</i> spake a short Time to +the People: And, in the Afternoon, they coming together, and my Heart +being filled with a heavenly Care for their Good, I spake to them a +While 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> 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 understood, 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 +spirited to give the <i>Indians</i> the Substance of what I had said.</p> + +<p>Before our first Meeting, this Morning, I was led to meditate on the +manifold Difficulties of these <i>Indians</i>, who, by the Permission of the +six Nations, dwell in these Parts; and a near Sympathy with them was +raised in me; and, my Heart being enlarged in the Love of Christ, I +thought that the affectionate Care of a good Man for his only Brother in +Affliction does not exceed what I then felt for that People.</p> + +<p>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 <i>Indian</i> +Warriours were, in Times of Weakness, afflicting to me; and, being of a +tender Constitution of Body, the Thoughts of Captivity amongst them +were, at Times, grievous; as supposing, that they being strong and +hardy, might demand Service of me beyond what I could well bear; but the +Lord alone was my Keeper; and I believed, if I went into Captivity, it +would be for some good End: And thus, from Time to Time, my Mind was +centered in Resignation, in which I always found Quietness. And now, +this Day, though I had the same dangerous Wilderness between me and +Home, I was inwardly joyful that the Lord had strengthened me to come on +this Visit, and manifested a fatherly Care over me in my poor lowly +Condition, when in mine own Eyes I appeared inferior to many amongst the +<i>Indians</i>.</p> + +<p>When the last-mentioned Meeting was ended, it being Night, <span class="smcap">Papunehang</span> +went to Bed; and, one of the Interpreters sitting by me, I observed +<span class="smcap">Papunehang</span> spoke with an harmonious Voice, I suppose a Minute or two; +and, asking the Interpreter, I was told, that "He was expressing his +Thankfulness to God for the Favours he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> had received that Day; and +prayed that he would continue to favour him with that same, which he had +experienced in that Meeting." And though <span class="smcap">Papunehang</span> had before agreed to +receive the <i>Moravian</i>, and join with them, he still appeared kind and +loving to us.</p> + +<p>On the twentieth Day I was at two Meetings, and silent in them.</p> + +<p>The twenty-first Day: This Morning, in Meeting, my Heart was enlarged in +pure Love amongst them, and, in short plain Sentences, I expressed +several Things that rested upon me, which one of the Interpreters gave +the People pretty readily; after which, the Meeting ended in +Supplication, and I had Cause humbly to acknowledge the Loving-kindness +of the Lord towards us; and then I believed that a Door remained open +for the faithful Disciples of Jesus Christ to labour amongst these +People.</p> + +<p>I now feeling my Mind at Liberty to return, 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 Meeting 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: And the <i>Moravian</i> and his +<i>Indian</i> Interpreter appeared respectful to us at parting. This Town +stands on the Bank of <i>Susquehannah</i>, and consists, I believe, of about +forty Houses, mostly compact together; some about thirty feet long, and +eighteen wide, some bigger, some less; mostly built of split Plank, one +End set in the Ground, and the other pinned to a Plate, on which lay +Rafters, and 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.</p> + +<p>We expected only two <i>Indians</i> to be our Company; but, when we were +ready to go, we found many of them were going to <i>Bethlehem</i> with Skins +and Furs, who chose to go in Company with us: So they loaded two +Canoes,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> which they desired us to go in, telling us, that the Waters +were so raised with the Rains, that the Horses should be taken by such +as were better acquainted with the Fording-places: So we, with several +<i>Indians</i>, went in the Canoes, and others went on Horses, there being +seven besides ours. And we meeting with the Horsemen once on the Way by +Appointment, and that near Night, a little below a Branch called +<i>Tankhannah</i>, we lodged there; and some of the young Men going out a +little before Dusk with their Guns, brought in a Deer.</p> + +<p>On the twenty-second Day, through Diligence, we reached <i>Wioming</i> before +Night, and understood the <i>Indians</i> 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.</p> + +<p>On the twenty-third Day in the Morning their Horses were loaded, and we +prepared our Baggage, and so set forward, being in all fourteen; and +with diligent Travelling, were favoured to get near half-way to +<i>Fort-Allen</i>. The Land on this Road from <i>Wioming</i> to our Frontier being +mostly poor, and good Grass scarce, they chose a Piece of low Ground to +lodge on, as the best for grazing; and I, having sweated much in +Travelling, and being weary, slept sound; I perceived in the Night that +I had taken Cold, of which I was favoured to get better soon.</p> + +<p>On the twenty-fourth Day we passed <i>Fort-Allen</i>, and lodged near it in +the Woods.</p> + +<p>Having forded the westerly Branch of <i>Delaware</i> three Times, we 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 back through the River, and they loaded her with the Burthens +of some small Horses, which they thought not sufficient to come through +with their Loads.</p> + +<p>The Troubles westward, and the Difficulty for <i>Indians</i> to pass through +our Frontier, I apprehend, was one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> Reason why so many came; as +expecting that our being in Company would prevent the outside +Inhabitants from being surprised.</p> + +<p>On the twenty-fifth Day we reached <i>Bethlehem</i>, taking Care on the Way +to keep foremost, and to acquaint People on and near the Road who these +<i>Indians</i> were: This we found very needful; for the Frontier Inhabitants +were often alarmed at the Report of <i>English</i> being killed by <i>Indians</i> +westward.</p> + +<p>Amongst our Company were some whom I did not remember to have seen at +Meeting, and some of these, at first, were very reserved; but, we being +several Days together, and behaving friendly toward them, and making +them suitable Returns for the Services they did us, they became more +free and social.</p> + +<p>On the twenty-sixth Day and first of the Week, having carefully +endeavoured to settle all Affairs with the <i>Indians</i> relative to our +Journey, we took Leave of them, and I thought they generally parted with +us affectionately; so we, getting to <i>Richland</i>, had a very comfortable +Meeting amongst our Friends: Here I parted with my kind Friend and +Companion, <span class="smcap">Benjamin Parvin</span>; and, accompanied by my Friend, <span class="smcap">Samuel Foulk</span>, +we rode to <span class="smcap">John Cadwallader's</span>, 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: But 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 whatever the Lord might be pleased to allot +for me, would work for Good, I was careful lest I should admit any +Degree of Selfishness in being glad over much, and laboured to improve +by those Trials in such a Manner as my gracious Father and Protector +intends for me. Between the <i>English</i> Inhabitants and <i>Wehaloosing</i> 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> so, for that Rattle-snakes +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.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER IX</h3> + +<blockquote><p><i>His religious Conversation with a Company met to see the Tricks of a +Juggler</i>—<i>His Account of</i> <span class="smcap">John Smith's</span> <i>Advice, and of the Proceedings of +a Committee, at the Yearly-meeting in 1764</i>—<i>Contemplations on the Nature +of true Wisdom, occasioned by hearing of the Cruelty of the</i> Indians <i>to +their Captives</i>—<i>His visiting the Families of Friends at</i> Mount-Holly, +Mansfield, <i>and</i> Burlington, <i>in 1764, and the Meetings on the +Sea-Coast, from</i> Cape-May, <i>toward</i> Squan, <i>in 1765</i>—<i>His Visit to the +lower Counties on</i> Delaware,<i> and the eastern Shore of</i> Maryland, <i>in +1766, in Company with</i> <span class="smcap">John Sleeper</span>; <i>with some Account of</i> <span class="smcap">Joseph +Nichols</span> <i>and his Followers; and Observations on the different State of +the first Settlers in</i> Pennsylvania, <i>who depended on their own Labour, +and those of the southern Provinces, who kept Negroes</i>—<i>His visiting the +northern Parts of</i> New-Jersey <i>the same Year, and the western Parts of</i> +Maryland <i>and</i> Pennsylvania <i>in 1767, and afterwards other Parts of</i> +Pennsylvania, <i>and the Families of Friends at</i> Mount-Holly; <i>and again, +several Parts of</i> Maryland <i>in 1768</i>—<i>Farther Considerations on keeping +Slaves; and his Concern for having formerly, as an Executor, been Party +to the Sale of one; and what he did in Consequence of it</i>—<i>Thoughts on +Friends exercising Offices in civil Government</i></p></blockquote> + + +<p>The latter Part of the Summer, 1763, there came a Man to <i>Mount-Holly</i>, +who had before published, by a printed Advertisement, that, at a certain +Publick-house, he would shew many wonderful Operations, which he therein +enumerated.</p> + +<p>This Man, at the Time appointed, did, by slight of Hand, sundry Things; +which, to those gathered, appeared strange.</p> + +<p>The next Day, I, hearing of it, and understanding that the Shew was to +be continued the next Night, and the People to meet about Sun-set, felt +an Exercise on that Account: So I went to the Publick-house in the +Evening, and told the Man of the House that I had an Inclination<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> to +spend a Part of the Evening there; with which he signified that he was +content. Then, sitting down by the Door, I spake to the People as they +came together, concerning this Shew; and, more coming and sitting down +with us, the Seats of 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 of Hand, and +bestowing their Money to support Men, who, in that Capacity, were of no +Use in the World, was contrary to the Nature of the <i>Christian</i> +Religion.</p> + +<p>There was one of the Company, who, for a Time, endeavoured, by +Arguments, to shew the Reasonableness of their Proceedings herein; but, +after considering some Texts of Scripture, and calmly debating the +Matter, he gave up the Point. So, having spent about an Hour amongst +them, and feeling my Mind easy, I departed.</p> + +<p>At our Yearly-meeting at <i>Philadelphia</i>, on the twenty-fifth Day of the +ninth Month, 1764, <span class="smcap">John Smith</span>, of <i>Marlborough</i>, aged upwards of eighty +Years, a faithful Minister, though not eloquent, stood up in our Meeting +of Ministers and Elders, and, appearing to be under a great Exercise of +Spirit, informed Friends in Substance as follows: to wit, "That he had +been a Member of the Society upwards 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 conforming 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 of fine costly Garments, and using of +silver (and other) Watches, became customary with them, their Sons and +their Daughters, and many of the Society made a specious 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> became +more prevalent, so the powerful Overshadowings of the Holy Ghost were +less manifest in the Society.—That there had been a continued Increase +of these Ways of Life even until now; and that the Weakness which hath +now overspread the Society, and the Barrenness manifest amongst us, are +Matter of much Sorrow." He then mentioned the Uncertainty of his +attending these Meetings in future, expecting his Dissolution was now +near; and, having tenderly expressed his 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 +therein.</p> + +<p>On the twenty-ninth Day, the Committee, appointed by the Yearly-meeting +to visit the Quarterly and Monthly-meetings, now 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 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 spake in Substance as follows: "I have felt a Tenderness in my +Mind, towards Persons, in two Circumstances mentioned in that Report; +that is, toward such active Members as keep Slaves, and such as 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: And the Way of Living, and annual Expences of some of them, +are such, that it seems impracticable for them to set their Slaves free, +without<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> changing their own Way of Life. It has been my Lot to be often +abroad; and I have observed in some Places, at Quarterly and +Yearly-meetings, and at some Houses where travelling Friends and their +Horses are often entertained, that the yearly Expence of Individuals +therein is very considerable: And Friends, in some Places, crouding much +on Persons in these Circumstances for Entertainment, hath often 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."</p> + +<p>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 <i>Indians</i>, he informed me that he saw two of his +Fellow-captives tortured to Death in a very cruel Manner.</p> + +<p>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 was 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 Content therein: Under a +Feeling thereof, I wrote as follows:</p> + +<p>"Hath he, who gave me a Being attended with many Wants unknown to +Brute-creatures, given me a Capacity superior to theirs; and shewn me, +that a moderate Application to Business is proper to my present +Condition; and that this, attended with his Blessing, may supply all +outward 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.</p> + +<p>"Doth Pride lead to Vanity? Doth Vanity form imaginary Wants? Do these +Wants prompt Men to exert their Power in requiring that of others, which +they themselves would rather be excused from, were the same required of +them?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p> + +<p>"Do these Proceedings beget hard Thoughts? Do hard Thoughts, when ripe, +become Malice? Does Malice, when ripe, become revengeful; and, in the +End, inflict terrible Pains on their Fellow-creatures, and spread +Desolation in the World?</p> + +<p>"Doth 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?</p> + +<p>"Remember then, O my Soul! the Quietude of those in whom Christ governs, +and in all thy Proceedings feel after it.</p> + +<p>"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 +expensive, 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? O! that I may prize this +Favour; and that my whole Life may be conformable to this Character!</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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 in our Monthly-meeting the Fore-part of the +Winter, 1764; which being agreed to, and several Friends of our Meeting +being 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: And, the latter Part of the same +Winter, I joined my Friend <span class="smcap">William Jones</span>, in a Visit to Friends Families +in <i>Mansfield</i>; in which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> Labour I had Cause to admire the Goodness of +the Lord towards us.</p> + +<p>Having felt my Mind drawn toward a Visit to Friends along the Sea-coast +from <i>Cape-May</i> to near <i>Squan</i>; and also to visit some People in those +Parts, amongst whom there is no settled Worship; I joined with my +beloved Friend, <span class="smcap">Benjamin Jones</span>, in a Visit there, having Friends Unity +therein: And, setting off the twenty-fourth Day of the tenth Month, +1765, we 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: And soon after +our Return, I joined my Friends, <span class="smcap">John Sleeper</span> and <span class="smcap">Elizabeth Smith</span>, in +visiting Friends Families at <i>Burlington</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>An Exercise having, at Times, for several Years attended me, in regard +to paying a religious Visit to Friends on the eastern Shore of +<i>Maryland</i>: Such was the Nature of this Exercise, that I believed the +Lord moved me to travel on Foot amongst them, that, by so travelling, I +might have a more lively Feeling of the Condition of the oppressed +Slaves, set an Example of Lowliness before the Eyes of their Masters, +and be more out of the Way of Temptation to unprofitable Converse.</p> + +<p>The Time now drawing near in which I believed it my Duty to lay my +Concern before our Monthly-meeting, I perceived, in Conversation with my +beloved Friend, <span class="smcap">John Sleeper</span>, that he was under a Concern to travel the +same Way, and also to travel on Foot in the Form of a Servant amongst +them, as he expressed it. This he told me before he knew aught of my +Exercise.</p> + +<p>We, being thus drawn the same Way, laid our Exercise and the Nature of +it before Friends; and, obtaining Certificates, we set off the sixth Day +of the fifth Month, 1766; and were at Meetings with Friends at +<i>Wilmington</i>,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> <i>Duck-Creek</i>, <i>Little-Creek</i>, and <i>Motherkill</i>; my Heart +being sundry Times tendered under the divine Influence, and enlarged in +Love toward the People amongst whom we travelled.</p> + +<p>From <i>Motherkill</i>, we crossed the Country about thirty-five Miles to +Friends at <i>Tuckahoe</i> in <i>Maryland</i>, and had a Meeting there and at +<i>Marshy-Creek</i>.</p> + +<p>At these, our three last Meetings, were a considerable Number of People, +Followers of one <span class="smcap">Joseph Nichols</span>, a Preacher; who, I understand, is not +in outward Fellowship with any religious Society of People, but +professeth nearly the same Principles as our Society doth, and often +travels up and down appointing Meetings, to which many People come. I +heard some 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.</p> + +<p>Some Irregularities, I hear, have been amongst the People 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 Fathers are wanting amongst them: From hence we went to +<i>Choptank</i> and <i>Third-Haven</i>; and thence to <i>Queen Anne's</i>. The Weather +having some Days past been hot and dry, and we, to attend Meetings +pursuant to Appointment, 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 expected before we came out, I now saw that I had been in Danger +of too strongly desiring to get soon through the Journey, and that this +bodily Weakness, now attending me, 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.</p> + +<p>On this Part of our Journey, I had many Thoughts on the different +Circumstances of Friends, who inhabit <i>Pennsylvania</i> and <i>Jersey</i>, from +those who dwell in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> <i>Maryland</i>, <i>Virginia</i>, and <i>Carolina</i>. +<i>Pennsylvania</i> and <i>New-Jersey</i> were settled by many Friends, who were +convinced of our Principles in <i>England</i> 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.</p> + +<p>Few Friends, I believe, came from <i>England</i> 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 those Provinces, and of +their numerous Engagements with the Natives, in which much Blood was +shed, even in the Infancy of those Colonies. These People, inhabiting +those Places, being grounded in Customs contrary to the pure Truth, when +some of them were affected with the powerful preaching of the Word of +Life, and joined in Fellowship with our Society, they had a great Work +to go through. It is observable, in the History of the Reformation from +<i>Popery</i>, 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 farther afterward; and thus, each one truly fearing God, and +labouring in those Works of Righteousness appointed for him in his Day, +findeth Acceptance with him: Though, through the Darkness of the Times, +and the Corruption of Manners and Customs, some upright Men 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 Repentance, cease from Oppression, and become like +Fathers to their Servants; shewing, by their Example, a Pattern of +Humility in living, and Moderation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> in governing, for the Instruction +and Admonition of their oppressing Neighbours; those, without carrying +the Reformation farther, 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 Reformation, have +seen the Necessity of proceeding forward, and not only to instruct +others, by their Example, in governing well, but also to use Means to +prevent their Successors from having so much Power to oppress others.</p> + +<p>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 Oppressed) 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 to be their Strength and Support in a +Time of outward Affliction.</p> + +<p>We, passing on, crossed <i>Chester-River</i>; and had a Meeting there, and at +<i>Cecil</i> and <i>Sassafras</i>. 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.</p> + +<p>From <i>Sassafras</i> 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 it appeared to me as a small Service, +and that some faithful Messengers will yet have more bitter Cups to +drink in those southern Provinces, for Christ's Sake, 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.</p> + +<p>On the thirteenth Day of the eleventh Month, 1766, with the Unity of +Friends at our Monthly-meeting, in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> Company with my beloved Friend, +<span class="smcap">Benjamin Jones</span>, I set out on a Visit to Friends in the upper Part of +this Province, having had Drawings of Love in my Heart that Way a +considerable Time: We travelled as far as <i>Hardwick</i>; and I had inward +Peace in my Labours of Love amongst them.</p> + +<p>Through the humbling Dispensations of divine Providence, my Mind hath +been brought into a farther 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 <i>Maryland</i>, on a religious Visit; and, 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 +twentieth Day of the fourth Month, 1767, I rode to the Ferry opposite to +<i>Philadelphia</i>, and from thence walked to <span class="smcap">William Horne's</span>, at <i>Derby</i>, +that Evening; and next Day pursued my journey alone, and reached +<i>Concord</i> week-day Meeting.</p> + +<p>Discouragements and a Weight of Distress had, at Times, attended me in +this lonesome Walk; through which Afflictions 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 an humble Contrition, and did renewedly +strengthen me to go forward; so that to me it was a Time of heavenly +Refreshment in a silent Meeting.</p> + +<p>The next Day I came to <i>New-Garden</i> week-day Meeting, in which I sat +with Bowedness of Spirit; and, being baptized into a Feeling of the +State of some present, the Lord gave us a heart-tendering Season; to his +Name be the Praise.</p> + +<p>I passed on, and was at <i>Nottingham</i> Monthly-meeting; and at a Meeting +at <i>Little-Britain</i> on First-day: And in the Afternoon several Friends +came to the House where I lodged, and we had a little Afternoon-meeting; +and, through the humbling Power of Truth, I had to admire the +Loving-kindness of the Lord manifested to us!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p> + +<p>On the twenty-sixth Day, I crossed <i>Susquehannah</i>; and coming amongst +People in outward Ease and Greatness, 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, respecting my Duty +amongst this People.</p> + +<p>Though travelling on Foot was wearisome to my Body; yet thus travelling +was agreeable to the State of my Mind.</p> + +<p>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 grievous 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 <i>Gunpowder</i>; and, in +Bowedness of Spirit, I had to open, with much Plainness, what I felt +respecting Friends living in Fullness, 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, Sufferings, and Martyrdoms, of the Apostles and +primitive <i>Christians</i>, in labouring for the Conversion of the Gentiles, +were livingly revived in me; and, according to the Measure of Strength +afforded, I laboured in some Tenderness of Spirit, being deeply affected +amongst them: And thus the Difference, between the present Treatment +which these Gentiles, the Negroes, receive at our Hands, and the Labours +of the primitive <i>Christians</i> 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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span></p> + +<p>The next Day was a general Meeting for Worship, much crouded; 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.</p> + +<p>From hence I turned toward <i>Pipe-Creek</i>, and passed on to the +<i>Red-Lands</i>; and had several Meetings amongst Friends in those Parts. My +Heart was often tenderly affected, under a Sense of the Lord's Goodness, +in sanctifying 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 in this Visit, it appeared like a fresh tendering +Visitation in most Places.</p> + +<p>I passed on to the western Quarterly-meeting in <i>Pennsylvania</i>; during +the several Days of this Meeting, I was mercifully preserved in an +inward feeling after the Mind of Truth, and my publick Labours tended to +my Humiliation, with which I was content: And, 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 by, was livingly opened before me; +and in treating on it my Heart was enlarged; and it was a baptizing +Time. From hence I went on; and was at Meetings at <i>Concord</i>, +<i>Middletown</i>, <i>Providence</i>, and <i>Haddonfield</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>On the second Day of the ninth Month, 1767, with the Unity of Friends, I +set off on a Visit to Friends in the upper Part of <i>Berks</i> and +<i>Philadelphia</i> 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. And, the +Winter following, I joined Friends on a Visit to Friends Families, in +some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> Part of our Meeting; in which Exercise, the pure Influence of +divine Love made our Visits reviving.</p> + +<p>On the fifth Day of the fifth Month, 1768, I left Home under the +humbling Hand of the Lord, having obtained a Certificate, in order to +visit some Meetings in <i>Maryland</i>; and to proceed without a Horse looked +clearest to me. I was at the Quarterly-meetings at <i>Philadelphia</i> and +<i>Concord</i>; and then went on to <i>Chester-River</i>; and, crossing the Bay +with Friends, was at the Yearly-meeting at <i>West-River</i>; thence back to +<i>Chester-River</i>; and, taking 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 humbling Admiration, when Things +had appeared very difficult.</p> + +<p>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 publick Meetings; so that (I trust) the pure +Witness, in many Minds, was reached.</p> + +<p>The eleventh Day of the sixth Month, 1769. Sundry Cases have happened, +of late Years, within the Limits of our Monthly-meeting, respecting that +of exercising pure Righteousness 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.</p> + +<p>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 till thirty Years of Age, +without Wages, on that Account; and with this Custom I so far agreed, +that I, being joined to another Friend, in executing the Will of a +deceased Friend, once sold a Negro Lad till he might attain the Age of +thirty Years, and applied the Money to the Use of the Estate.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span></p> + +<p>With Abasement of Heart, I may now say, that sometimes, as I have sat in +a 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; when, being under some Concern that I may be +resigned to go on a Visit to some Part of the <i>West-Indies</i>, and under +close Engagement of Spirit, seeking to the Lord for Counsel herein, that +of my joining in the Sale aforesaid, came heavily upon me; and my Mind, +for a Time, was covered with Darkness and Sorrow; and, under this sore +Affliction, my Heart was softened to receive Instruction: And here I +first 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 a Part of my Substance to redeem the last Half of +that nine Years; but, as the Time was not yet come, I executed a Bond, +binding 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 provide comfortably for himself.</p> + +<p>The ninth 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 so faithful to the +Teachings of Christ as we ought to have been: And, as my Mind hath been +inward to the Lord, the Purity of Christ's Government hath been opened +in my Understanding; and, under this Exercise, that of Friends being +active in civil Society, in putting Laws in force which are not +agreeable to the Purity of Righteousness, hath, for several Years, been +an increasing Burthen upon me; having 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> are +not consistent with pure Wisdom, it hath a necessary Tendency to bring +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.</p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER X</h3> + +<blockquote><p><i>His preparing to visit Friends in</i> England—<i>His embarking at</i> Chester, +<i>in Company with</i> <span class="smcap">Samuel Emlen</span>, <i>in a Ship bound to</i> London—<i>His deep +Exercise, in observing the Difficulties and Hardships the common Sailors +are exposed to</i>—<i>Considerations on the Dangers to which Youth are +exposed, in being trained to a sea-faring Life; and its Inconsistency +with a pious Education</i>—<i>His Thoughts in a Storm at Sea: With many +instructive Contemplations on the Voyage</i>—<i>And his Arrival at</i> London</p></blockquote> + + +<p>Having been some Time under a religious Concern to prepare for crossing +the Seas, in order to visit Friends in the northern Parts of <i>England</i>, +and more particularly <i>Yorkshire</i>; after weighty Consideration, I +thought it expedient to inform Friends, at our Monthly-meeting at +<i>Burlington</i>, of it; who, having Unity with me therein, gave me a +Certificate; and I afterward communicated the same to our +Quarterly-meeting, and they likewise certified their Concurrence +therewith. Some Time after which, 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; with which they likewise +signified their Unity by a Certificate, dated the twenty-fourth Day of +the third Month, 1772, directed to Friends in <i>Great-Britain</i>.</p> + +<p>In the fourth Month following, I thought the Time was come for me to +make some Enquiry for a suitable Conveyance; being apprehensive that, as +my Concern was principally toward the northern Parts of <i>England</i>, it +would be most proper to go in a Vessel bound to <i>Liverpool</i> or +<i>Whitehaven</i>: And, while I was at <i>Philadelphia</i>, deliberating on this +Occasion, I was informed, that my beloved Friend, <span class="smcap">Samuel Emlen</span>, jun., +intending to go to <i>London</i>, and having taken a Passage for himself in +the Cabbin of a Ship, called <i>Mary and Elizabeth</i>, of which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> <span class="smcap">James +Sparks</span> was Master, and <span class="smcap">John Head</span>, of the City of <i>Philadelphia</i>, one of +the Owners; and I feeling a Draught in my Mind toward the Steerage of +the same Ship, went first and opened to <span class="smcap">Samuel</span> the Feeling I had +concerning it.</p> + +<p>My beloved Friend appeared glad that I had Thoughts 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 in the Cabbin, a +commodious Room, and then into the Steerage; where we sat down on a +Chest, the Sailors being busy about us: Then the Owner of the Ship came, +and sat down with us.</p> + +<p>Here my Mind was turned toward Christ, the heavenly Counsellor; and I +feeling, at this Time, my own Will subjected, my Heart was contrite +before him.</p> + +<p>A Motion was made, by the Owner, to go and sit in the Cabbin, as a Place +more retired; but I felt easy to leave 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.</p> + +<p>I went to my Lodgings, and 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 with two Friends on board the Vessel again; and, after a +short Time spent therein, I went, with <span class="smcap">Samuel Emlen</span>, to the House of the +Owner; to whom, in the Hearing of <span class="smcap">Samuel</span> only, I opened my Exercise, in +relation to a Scruple with regard to a Passage in the Cabbin.</p> + +<p>After this I agreed for a Passage in the Steerage; and, hearing in Town +that <span class="smcap">Joseph White</span> had a Desire to see me, I felt the Reviving of a +Desire to see him, and went then to his House, and 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 +<i>Philadelphia</i>, had Opportunity with several of my beloved Friends; who +appeared to be concerned for me, on Account of the unpleasant Situation +of that Part of the Vessel where I was likely to lodge.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p> + +<p>Having stayed two Nights in <i>Philadelphia</i>, I went the next Day to +<i>Derby</i> Monthly-meeting; where, through the Strength of divine Love, my +Heart was enlarged toward the Youth then present; under which I was +helped to labour in some Tenderness of Spirit. Then, lodging at <span class="smcap">William +Horne's</span>, I, with one Friend, went to <i>Chester</i>; where, meeting with +<span class="smcap">Samuel Emlen</span>, we went on board, the first Day of the fifth Month, 1772; +and, as I sat down alone, on a Seat on the Deck, I felt a satisfactory +Evidence that my Proceedings were not in my own Will, but under the +Power of the Cross of Christ.</p> + +<p>Seventh Day of the fifth Month. We have had rough Weather mostly since I +came on board; and the Passengers, <span class="smcap">James Reynolds</span>, <span class="smcap">John Till-Adams</span>, +<span class="smcap">Sarah Logan</span> and her hired Maid, and <span class="smcap">John Bispham</span>, were 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.</p> + +<p>There appeared an Openness in the Minds of the Master of the Ship and of +the Cabbin-Passengers toward me: We were often together on the Deck, and +sometimes in the Cabbin.</p> + +<p>My Mind, through the merciful Help of the Lord, hath been preserved in a +good Degree, watchful and inward; and I have, this Day, great Cause to +be thankful, in that I remain to feel Quietness of Mind.</p> + +<p>As my lodging in the Steerage, now near a Week, hath afforded me sundry +Opportunities of seeing, hearing, and feeling, with respect to the Life +and Spirit of many poor Sailors, an inward Exercise of Soul hath +attended me, in regard to placing our Children and Youth where they may +be likely to be exampled and instructed in the pure Fear of the Lord; +and I, being much amongst the Seamen, have, from a Motion of Love, +sundry 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: And this Day we had a Meeting in the Cabbin, where my Heart +was contrite under a Feeling of divine Love.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span></p> + +<p>Now, concerning Lads being trained up as Seamen; I believe a +Communication from one Part of the World to some other Parts of it, by +Sea, 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 hath a Conveyance! how great +is that Danger, to which poor Lads are now exposed, when placed on +shipboard to learn the Art of sailing!</p> + +<p>O! that all may take Heed and beware of Covetousness! O that all may +learn of Christ, who was meek and low of Heart! Then, 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Rising to work in the Night is not commonly pleasant in any case; but, +in dark rainy Nights, it is very disagreeable, even though each Man were +furnished with all Conveniences: 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 something 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.</p> + +<p>If, after they have been on Deck several Hours in the Night, and come +down into the Steerage soaking wet, and are so close stowed that proper +Convenience for change of Garment is not easily come at, but for Want of +proper Room, their wet Garments are thrown in Heaps, and sometimes, +through much crouding, are trodden under Foot in going to their Lodgings +and getting out of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> them, and they have great Difficulties, at Times, +each one to find his own, here are Trials on the poor Sailors.</p> + +<p>Now, as I have been with them in my Lodge, my Heart hath often yearned +for them, and tender Desires have been raised in me, that all Owners and +Masters of Vessels may dwell in the Love of God, and therein act +uprightly; and, by seeking 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 Convenience.</p> + +<p>Great Reformation in the World is wanting; and the Necessity of it, +amongst these who do Business on great Waters, hath, at this Time, been +abundantly opened before me.</p> + +<p>The eighth Day of the fifth Month. This Morning the Clouds gathered, the +Wind blew strong from South-eastward, and before Noon increased to that +Degree that Sailing appeared 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 Cabbin-Windows, and lighted a Lamp as +at Night.</p> + +<p>The Wind now blew vehemently, and the Sea wrought to that Degree, that +an awful Seriousness prevailed in the Cabbin, 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 crouded Steerage, and the +Cabbin-Passengers had given me frequent Invitations.</p> + +<p>They ceased now from Sailing, and put the Vessel in the Posture called, +lying-to.</p> + +<p>My Mind, in 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 extensive, that a +Sparrow falls not without his Notice; and thus, in a tender Frame of +Mind, spake to them of the Necessity of our yielding, in true Obedience, +to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> Instructions of our heavenly Father, who sometimes, through +Adversities, intendeth our Refinement.</p> + +<p>About eleven at Night I went out on the Deck, when the Sea wrought +exceedingly, and the high-foaming Waves, all round about, had in some +Sort the Appearance of Fire, but did not give much, if any, Light.</p> + +<p>The Sailor, then at the Helm, said he lately saw a Corposant at the Head +of the Mast.</p> + +<p>About this Time I observed the Master of the Ship ordered the Carpenter +to keep on the Deck; and, though he said little, I apprehended his Care +was, that the Carpenter, with his axe, might be in Readiness, in case of +any Extremity.</p> + +<p>Soon after this, the Vehemency of the Wind abated; and, before Morning, +they again put the Ship under Sail.</p> + +<p>The tenth Day of the Month, and first of the Week, it being fine +Weather, we had a Meeting in the Cabbin, at which most of the Seamen +were present: This Meeting to me was a strengthening Time.</p> + +<p>The thirteenth Day of the Month. As I continue to lodge in the Steerage, +I feel an Openness this Morning, to express something farther of the +State of my Mind, in Respect to poor 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.</p> + +<p>A pious Father, whose Mind is exercised for the everlasting 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 prophane; so great is the present Defect amongst Seafaring +Men, in regard to Piety and Virtue: And, through an abundant Traffic, +and many Ships of War, so many People are employed on the Sea, that this +Subject of placing Lads to the Employment appears very weighty.</p> + +<p>Prophane Examples are very corrupting, and very forcible. And as my +Mind, Day after Day, and Night after Night, hath been affected with a +sympathizing Tenderness toward poor Children, put to the Employment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span> of +Sailors, I have sometimes had weighty Conversation with the Sailors in +the Steerage, who were mostly respectful to me, and more and more so the +longer I was with them: They mostly appeared to take kindly what I said +to them; but their Minds have appeared to be so deeply impressed with +that almost universal Depravity amongst Sailors, that the poor +Creatures, in their Answers to me on this Subject, have revived in my +Remembrance that of the degenerate <i>Jews</i> a little before the Captivity, +as repeated by <span class="smcap">Jeremiah</span> the Prophet, "There is no Hope."</p> + +<p>Now, 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.</p> + +<p>Silence, as to every Motion proceeding from the Love of Money, and an +humble Waiting upon God to know his Will concerning us, has now appeared +necessary: He alone is able to strengthen us to dig deep, to remove all +which lies between us and the safe Foundation, and so direct us in our +outward Employments, that pure universal Love may shine forth in our +Proceedings.</p> + +<p>Desires arising from the Spirit of Truth are pure Desires; 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!</p> + +<p>The sixteenth Day of the Month. Wind for several Days past often high, +what the Sailors call squally, rough Sea and frequent Rains. This last +Night a very trying Night to the poor Seamen: The Water, chief Part of +the Night, running over the main Deck, and sometimes Breaking-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 Seas, renewedly wrought in me; whose +fatherly Care over his Children<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> felt precious to my Soul: And Desires +were now renewed in me, to embrace 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 universal +Righteousness on the Earth. The Opportunities were frequent of hearing +Conversation amongst the Sailors, in respect to the Voyages to <i>Africa</i>, +and the Manner of bringing the deeply-oppressed Slaves into our Islands. +The Thoughts of their Condition, frequently in Chains and Fetters on +board the Vessels, with Hearts loaded with Grief, under the +Apprehensions of miserable Slavery; my Mind was frequently opened to +meditate on these Things.</p> + +<p>On the seventeenth Day of the Month, and first of the Week, we had a +Meeting in the Cabbin; to which the Seamen generally came. My Spirit was +contrite before the Lord; whose Love, at this Time, affected my Heart.</p> + +<p>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 may be 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, hath begotten Thankfulness in my Heart to +our great Helper.</p> + +<p>On the twenty-fourth Day of the Month, and first of the Week, a clear +pleasant Morning: And, as I sat on Deck, I felt a Reviving in my Nature; +which, through much rainy Weather and high Winds, being shut up in a +close unhealthy Air, was weakened.</p> + +<p>Several Nights of late I felt Breathing difficult; so that a little +after the rising of the second Watch (which is about Midnight) I got up, +and stood, I believe, near an Hour, with my Face near the Hatchway, to +get the fresh Air at the small Vacancy under the Hatch-door; which is +commonly shut down, partly to keep out Rain, and sometimes to keep the +Breaking-waves from dashing into the Steerage.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p> + +<p>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 have looked at the present Dispensation as +a Kindness from the great Father of Mankind, who, in this my floating +Pilgrimage, is in some Degree bringing me to feel that, which many +thousands of my Fellow-creatures often suffer in a greater Degree.</p> + +<p>My Appetite failing, the Trial hath been the heavier; and I have felt +tender Breathings in my Soul after God, the Fountain of Comfort, whose +inward Help hath supplied, at Times, the Want of outward Convenience: +And strong Desires have attended me, that his Family, who are acquainted +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, shew forth Examples, tending to lead out of +that under which the Creation groans!</p> + +<p>This Day we had a Meeting in the Cabbin; 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 +Distress;" for which, my Heart is bowed in Thankfulness before him!</p> + +<p>The twenty-eighth Day of the Month.—Wet Weather of late, small Winds +inclining to Calms: Our Seamen have cast a Lead, I suppose about one +hundred Fathoms, but find no Bottom: Foggy Weather this Morning.</p> + +<p>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 Government of Christ may spread and prevail amongst +Mankind.</p> + +<p>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 heavenly Counsellor, may example them in the Truth, as +it is in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> Jesus;—this, for several Days, hath been the Exercise of my +Mind. O! 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!</p> + +<p>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 perfect Will of God concerning us.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>In an entire Subjection of our Wills the Lord graciously opens a Way for +his People, where all their Wants are bounded by his Wisdom; and here we +experience the Substance of what <i>Moses</i> the Prophet figured out in the +Water of Separation, as a Purification from Sin.</p> + +<p><i>Esau</i> is mentioned as a Child red all over, like a hairy Garment: In +<i>Esau</i> is represented the natural Will of Man. In preparing the Water of +Separation, a red Heifer, without 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 the old Man, or +natural Will, is represented; and hence comes a Separation from that +carnal Mind, which is Death.</p> + +<p>"He who toucheth the dead Body of a Man, and purifieth not himself with +the Water of Separation, he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> defileth the Tabernacle of the Lord; he is +unclean." <i>Numb.</i> xix. 13.</p> + +<p>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 infinite 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.</p> + +<p>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 purifying 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 was not agreeable to his holy Will: And I have +felt a renewed Confirmation, in the Time of this Voyage, that the Lord, +in his infinite 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.</p> + +<p>To feel the Substance pointed at in this Figure, Man must know Death, as +to his own Will.</p> + +<p>"No Man can see God, and live." This was spoken by the Almighty to +<i>Moses</i> the Prophet, and opened by our blessed Redeemer.</p> + +<p>As Death comes on our own Wills, and a new Life is formed in us, the +Heart is purified and prepared to understand 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."</p> + +<p>The natural Mind is active about the Things of this Life; and, in this +natural Activity, Business is proposed, and a Will in us to go forward +in it. As long as this natural Will remains unsubjected, so long there +remains an Obstruction against the Clearness of divine Light operating +in us; but when we love God with all our Heart,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> 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 outward Circumstances, may be to us as the <i>Jews</i> were +to the <i>Samaritans</i>. Who is my Neighbour? See this Question answered by +our Saviour, <i>Luke</i> x. 30.</p> + +<p>In this Love we can say, that Jesus is the Lord; and the Reformation in +our Souls is manifested in a full Reformation of our Lives, wherein all +Things are new, and all Things are of God; <i>2 Cor.</i> v. 18. in this the +Desire of Gain is subjected.</p> + +<p>When Employment is honestly followed in the Light of Truth, and People +become diligent in Business, "fervent in Spirit, serving the Lord;" +<i>Rom.</i> xii. 11. here the Name is opened: "This is the Name by which he +shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." <i>Jerem.</i> xxiii. 6. O! how +precious is this Name! it is like Ointment poured out. The chaste +Virgins are in Love with the Redeemer; and, for the promoting 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 Employments they become extensively careful to give none +Offence, neither to <i>Jews</i> nor <i>Heathen</i>, nor the Church of Christ.</p> + +<p>On the thirty-first Day of the Month, and first of the Week, we had a +Meeting in the Cabbin, with near all the Ship's Company; the Whole being +near thirty. In this Meeting, the Lord, in Mercy, favoured us with the +Extendings of his Love.</p> + +<p>The second Day of the sixth Month. Last Evening the Seamen found Bottom +at about seventy Fathoms.</p> + +<p>This Morning, fair Wind, and pleasant. 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 a humble Dependence on him, my Soul +might be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> strengthened in his Love, and kept inwardly waiting for his +Counsel.</p> + +<p>This Afternoon we saw that Part of <i>England</i> called the <i>Lizard</i>.</p> + +<p>Some Dunghill-fowls yet remained of those the Passengers took for their +Sea-store; 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 +<i>Delaware</i>, 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 <i>England</i>, when +they again crowed a few Times.</p> + +<p>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 to that of caring for the +Sparrows; and 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 in us, that we do not lessen that Sweetness of Life, in the animal +Creation, which the great Creator intends for them in our Government.</p> + +<p>The fourth Day of the Month. About Noon a Pilot came off from <i>Dover</i>; +where my beloved Friend, <span class="smcap">Samuel Emlen</span>, went on Shore, and thence to +<i>London</i>; but I felt easy in staying in the Ship.</p> + +<p>The seventh Day of the Month, and first of the Week. 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. We had a +Head-Wind up the <i>Thames</i>; lay sometimes at Anchor; 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 on the People +employed on the Seas, so affected my Heart, that I cannot easily convey +the Feeling I have had to another.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER XI</h3> + +<blockquote><p><i>His attending the Yearly-meeting in</i> London; <i>and, after it, proceeding +towards</i> Yorkshire, <i>visiting several Quarterly and other Meetings in +the Counties of</i> Hertford, Warwick, Oxford, Nottingham, York, <i>and</i> +Westmoreland; <i>and thence again into</i> Yorkshire, <i>and to the City of</i> +York; <i>with some instructive Thoughts and Observations, and Letters on +divers Subjects</i>—<i>His hearing of the Decease of</i> <span class="smcap">William Hunt</span>; <i>and +some Account of him</i>—<i>His Sickness at</i> York; <i>and End of his Pilgrimage +there</i></p></blockquote> + + +<p>On the eighth Day of the sixth Month, 1772, we landed at <i>London</i>; and I +went straightway to the Yearly-meeting of Ministers and Elders, which +had been gathered (I suppose) about half an Hour.</p> + +<p>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 of +publick Worship; and I felt my Mind united in true Love to the faithful +Labourers now gathered at this Yearly-meeting.</p> + +<p>On the fifteenth Day of the Month, I left <i>London</i>, and went to a +Quarterly-meeting at <i>Hertford</i>.</p> + +<p>The first Day of the seventh Month. I have been at Quarterly-meetings at +<i>Sherrington</i>, <i>Northampton</i>, <i>Banbury</i>, and <i>Shipston</i>; and had sundry +Meetings between: My Mind hath been bowed under a Sense of divine +Goodness manifested amongst us; my Heart hath been often enlarged in +true Love, both amongst Ministers and Elders, and in publick Meetings; +that through the Lord's Goodness, I believe it hath been a fresh +Visitation to many, in particular to the Youth.</p> + +<p>The seventeenth Day of the Month. Was this Day<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> at <i>Birmingham</i>: Have +been at Meetings at <i>Coventry</i>, <i>Warwick</i>, in <i>Oxfordshire</i>, and sundry +other Places; have felt the humbling Hand of the Lord upon me; and +through his tender Mercies find Peace in the Labours I have gone +through.</p> + +<p>The twenty-sixth Day of the Month. I have continued travelling +northward, visiting Meetings: Was this Day at <i>Nottingham</i>; which, in +the Forenoon especially, was, through divine Love, a Heart-tendering +Season: Next Day had a Meeting in a Friend's House with Friends Children +and some Friends; this, through the strengthening Arm of the Lord, was a +Time to be thankfully remembered.</p> + +<p>The second Day of the eighth Month, and first of the Week. Was this Day +at <i>Sheffield</i>, a large inland Town: Have been at sundry Meetings last +Week; and feel inward Thankfulness for that divine Support, which hath +been graciously extended to me.</p> + +<p>The ninth Day of the Month, and first of the Week, was at <i>Rushworth</i>: +Have lately passed through some painful Labour; but have been comforted, +under a Sense of that divine Visitation, which I feel extended toward +many young People.</p> + +<p>The sixteenth Day of the Month, and first of the Week, I was at +<i>Settle</i>: It hath of late been a Time of inward Poverty; under which my +Mind hath been preserved in a watchful tender State, feeling for the +Mind of the holy Leader, and I find Peace in the Labours I have passed +through.</p> + +<p>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 Traffick, carried on in impure Channels. +Great is the Trade to <i>Africa</i> for Slaves! and, in loading these Ships, +abundance 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, Superfluities; of which we have many +large Testimonies on Record; but, for Want of Faithfulness, some gave +way; even some, whose Examples were of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> Note in our 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; and this hath spread from +less to more, till Superfluity of some Kinds is common amongst us.</p> + +<p>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; and 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 example in a +plain frugal Life, and pay Wages, to such as they may hire, more +liberally than is now customary in some Places.</p> + +<p>The twenty-third Day of the Month. Was this Day at <i>Preston-Patrick</i>, +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 hath +opened for Conversation with such in private, in which Divine Goodness +hath favoured us together with heart-tendering Times.</p> + +<p>I rested a few Days, in Body and Mind, with our Friend <span class="smcap">Jane Crosfield</span>; +who was once in <i>America</i>: Was, on the sixth Day of the Week, at +<i>Kendal</i> in <i>Westmoreland</i>; and at <i>Greyrig</i> Meeting the thirtieth Day +of the Month, and first of the Week.</p> + +<p>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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p> + +<p>The sixth Day of the ninth Month, and first of the Week. Was this Day at +<i>Counterside</i>, a large Meeting-house, and very full; and, through the +Opening of pure Love, it was a strengthening Time to me, and (I believe) +to many more.</p> + +<p>The thirteenth Day of the Month. Was this Day at <i>Richmond</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>At this Place I heard that my Kinsman <span class="smcap">William Hunt</span>, from +<i>North-Carolina</i>, who was on a religious Visit to Friends in <i>England</i>, +departed this Life on the ninth Day of the ninth Month, Instant, of the +Small-pox, at <i>Newcastle</i>.—He appeared in the Ministry when a Youth; +and his Labours therein were of good Savour. He travelled much in that +Work in <i>America</i>. I once heard him say, in publick Testimony, that his +Concern was (in that Visit) to be devoted 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.</p> + +<p>On this Visit to <i>England</i> I have felt some Instructions sealed on my +Mind, which I am concerned to leave in Writing, for the Use of such as +are called to the Station of a Minister of Christ.</p> + +<p>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 experience the renewing thereof, in the Appointment of +Meetings.</p> + +<p>I felt a Concern, in <i>America</i>, to prepare for this Voyage; and, being, +through the Mercy of God, brought safe 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-course, where a Weight of Water lay upon it; and in these Labours +there appeared a fresh Visitation to many, especially the Youth; but +sometimes, after this, I felt empty and poor, and yet felt a Necessity +to appoint Meetings.</p> + +<p>In this State I was exercised to abide in the pure Life<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> of Truth, and +in all my Labours to watch diligently against the Motions of Self in my +own Mind.</p> + +<p>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 Creature; and herein I was united with the +suffering Seed, and found inward Sweetness with these mortifying +Labours.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Thus I have been more and more instructed, as to the Necessity of +depending, not upon a Concern which I felt in <i>America</i>, to come on a +Visit to <i>England</i>, but upon the fresh Instructions of Christ, the +Prince of Peace, from Day to Day.</p> + +<p>Now, of late, I felt a Stop in the Appointment of Meetings, not wholly, +but in Part; and I do not feel Liberty to appoint them so quick one +after another as I have heretofore.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>O! how deep is divine Wisdom! Christ puts forth his Ministers, and goeth +before them: And O! how great is the Danger of departing from the pure +Feeling of that which leadeth safely!</p> + +<p>Christ knoweth the State of the People; and, in the pure Feeling of the +Gospel-Ministry, their States are opened to his Servants.</p> + +<p>Christ knoweth when the Fruit-bearing Branches themselves have Need of +purging.</p> + +<p>O! that these Lessons may be remembered by me! and that all who appoint +Meetings may proceed in the pure Feeling of Duty.</p> + +<p>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 +been so pressed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> 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.</p> + +<p>Now I find that, in the pure Obedience, the Mind learns Contentment, 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.</p> + +<p>The Gift is pure; and, while the Eye is single in attending thereto, the +Understanding is preserved clear: Self is kept out. We rejoice in +filling up that which remains of the Afflictions of Christ, for his +Body's Sake, which is the Church.</p> + +<p>The natural Man loveth Eloquence, and many love to hear eloquent +Orations; and, if there is not a careful Attention 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 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p>A few Days after writing these Considerations, our dear Friend, in the +Course of his religious Visits, came to the City of <i>York</i>, and attended +most of the Sittings of the Quarterly-meeting there; but, before it was +over, was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> taken ill of the Small-pox. Our Friend, <span class="smcap">Thomas Priestman</span>, and +others who attended him, preserved the following Minutes of his +Expressions in the Time of his Sickness and of his Decease.</p> + +<p>First-day, the twenty-seventh of the ninth Month, 1772. His Disorder +appeared to be the Small-pox.</p> + +<p>Second-day. He said he felt the Disorder to affect his Head, so that he +could think little, and but as a Child.</p> + +<p>Third-day he uttered the following Prayer.—O 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 shewed to us in the +most affecting Example of thy Son, and thou taughtest me to follow him, +and I said, "Thy Will, O Father! be done."</p> + +<p>Fourth-day-morning, being asked how he felt himself, he meekly answered, +I do not 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 must be +hard to bear; but, if he escaped them now, he must sometime 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, 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 +provided for. And a little after said, This Trial is made<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> easier than I +could have thought, my Will being wholly taken away; for if I were +anxious for the Event, it would have been harder; but I am not, and my +Mind enjoys a perfect Calm.</p> + +<p>In the Night a young Woman having given him something to drink, he said, +My Child, thou seemest very kind to me, a poor Creature, the Lord will +reward thee for it. A While after he cried out with great Earnestness of +Spirit, O my Father! my Father! and soon after he said, O 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 +replied, 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 excuse me from Exercises of this Kind; and 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 whatever 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 Whirlwind 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 nor 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 <span class="smcap">George Fox</span> and <span class="smcap">William +Dewsberry</span>, and he saw the different States of the People, as clear as he +had ever seen Flowers in a Garden; but in his going along he was +suddenly stopt, though he could not see for what End; but, looking +towards Home, fell into a Flood of Tears which waked him.</p> + +<p>At another Time he said, My Draught seemed strongest towards the North, +and I mentioned, in my own Monthly-meeting,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> that attending the +Quarterly-meeting at <i>York</i>, and being there, looked like Home to me.</p> + +<p>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 Distress, What shall I do now? He answered with +great Composure, Rejoice evermore, and in every Thing give Thanks; but +added a little after, this is sometimes hard to come at.</p> + +<p>Sixth-day-morning, he broke forth early in Supplication on this wise: O +Lord! it was thy Power that enabled me to forsake Sin in my Youth, and I +have felt thy Bruises for Disobedience; but, as I bowed under them, thou +didst heal 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 stedfast unto thee.——Upon his giving Directions to a Friend +concerning some little Things, she said, I will take Care, but hope thou +wilt 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 it so happen, 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 faithful 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, perceiving a Friend to weep, +he said, I would rather thou wouldst guard against weeping for me, my +Sister; I sorrow not, though I have had some painful Conflicts; but 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.</p> + +<p>First-day, fourth 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> 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 relieved by them, and their Distresses, at such a Time as this, in +some degree softened, by the administering suitable Things!</p> + +<p>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 he thought it might, he spoke with an audible Voice on +this wise:—My Dependance 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 trying 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.</p> + +<p>About a Quarter before six, 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!</p> + + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">End of the Journal</span></p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="THE_LAST_EPISTLE_OTHER_WRITINGS_OF_JOHN_WOOLMAN" id="THE_LAST_EPISTLE_OTHER_WRITINGS_OF_JOHN_WOOLMAN"></a>THE LAST EPISTLE & OTHER WRITINGS OF JOHN WOOLMAN</h2> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span></p> +<h3>THE INTRODUCTION</h3> + +<p>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 frequently +introduce Oppression, and bring forth Wars and grievous Calamities.</p> + +<p>It is with Reverence that I acknowledge the Mercies of our Heavenly +Father, who, in Infinite Love, did visit 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.</p> + +<p><i>While the Eye is single, the whole Body is full of Light</i>, Mat. vi. 22. +but for want of this, selfish Desires, and an imaginary Superiority, +darken the Mind; hence Injustice frequently proceeds; and where this is +the Case, to convince the Judgment, is the most effectual Remedy.</p> + +<p>Where violent Measures are pursued in opposing Injustice, 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 +acquainted with the pure Principle of Divine Love, as they were before; +but where People walk in that pure Light in which all their <i>Works are +wrought in God</i>, John iii. 21. and under Oppression persevere in the +meek Spirit, and abide firm in the Cause of Truth, without actively +complying with oppressive Demands, through those the Lord hath often +manifested his Power, in opening<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> the Understandings of others, to the +promoting Righteousness in the Earth.</p> + +<p>A Time, I believe, is coming, wherein this Divine Work will so spread +and prevail, that <i>Nation shall not lift up Sword against Nation, nor +learn War any more</i>, Isaiah ii. 4. 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 prevalent, 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.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span></p> +<h3>CONSIDERATIONS ON PURE WISDOM AND HUMAN POLICY</h3> + +<p>To have our Trust settled in the Lord, and not to seek after, nor desire +outward Treasures, any further than his Holy Spirit leads us therein, is +a happy State, as saith the Prophet, <i>Blessed is the Man that trusteth +in the Lord, and whose Hope the Lord is</i>.</p> + +<p>Pure Wisdom leads People into Lowliness of Mind, in which they learn +Resignation to the Divine Will, and Contentment in suffering for his +Cause, when they cannot keep a clear Conscience without suffering.</p> + +<p>In this pure Wisdom the Mind is attentive to the Root, and original +Spring of Motions and Desires; and as we know <i>the Lord to be our +Refuge</i>, and find no Safety but in humbly walking before him, we feel an +Holy Engagement, that every Desire which leads therefrom may be brought +to Judgment.</p> + +<p>While we proceed in this precious Way, and find ardent 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.</p> + +<p>When I have considered that Saying of Christ, <i>Mat.</i> vi. 19, <i>Lay not up +for yourselves Treasures upon Earth</i>, his Omnipotence hath often +occurred to my Mind.</p> + +<p>While we believe that he is every where present with his People, and +that perfect Goodness, Wisdom and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> Power are united in him, how +comfortable is the Consideration.</p> + +<p>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 dangerous to give way to that in us, which craves Riches +and Greatness in this World.</p> + +<p>As the Heart truly contrite, earnestly desires <i>to know Christ, and the +Fellowship of his Sufferings</i>, Phil. iii. 10. 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 concerned, according to +their Measure, <i>to fill up that which is behind of the Afflictions of +Christ</i>, Col. i. 24. in patiently suffering for the promoting +Righteousness in the Earth; but have an Eye toward the Power of Men, and +the outward Advantage of Wealth, these are often attentive to those +Employments which appear profitable, even though the Gains arise from +such Trade and Business which proceeds from the Workings of that Spirit, +which is estranged from the self-denying Life of an humble contrite +<i>Christian</i>.</p> + +<p>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 those Difficulties.</p> + +<p>To such I may say, in the feeling of our Heavenly 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 +Expence of every Kind, and learn Contentment, in a plain simple Life.</p> + +<p>May we, in Lowliness, submit to the Leadings of his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>If that, called the Wisdom of this World, had no Resemblance of true +Wisdom, the Name of Wisdom, I suppose, had not been given to it.</p> + +<p>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 opposite Vices, is good in itself, and hath a Resemblance of +Wisdom; but while People thus provident, have it principally 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 into 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 is often applied otherwise; nor can we depart from +the Leadings of our Holy Shepherd, without going into Confusion.</p> + +<p>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 apprehend, that Wealth may be a Snare to them; +and prove an Injury to others, over whom their Wealth may give them +Power.</p> + +<p>To be redeemed from that Wisdom which is from beneath, and walk in the +Light of the Lord, is a precious<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> 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 Adversities, superior +to the greatest outward Helps, and a Comfort more certain than any +worldly Advantages can afford.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span></p> +<h3>ON LABOUR</h3> + +<p>Having from my Childhood been used to Bodily Labour for a Living, I may +express my Experience therein.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Moderate Exercise opens the Pores, gives the Blood a lively Circulation, +and the better enables us to judge rightly respecting that Portion of +Labour which is the true Medium.</p> + +<p><i>The Fowls of the Air sow not, nor gather into Barns, yet our Heavenly +Father feedeth them</i>, Mat. vi. 26. nor do I believe that Infinite +Goodness and Power would have allotted Labour to us, had he not seen +that Labour was proper for us in this Life.</p> + +<p>The original Design, and true Medium of Labour, is a Subject that, to +me, appears worthy of our serious Consideration.</p> + +<p>Idle Men are often a Burden to themselves, neglect the Duty they owe to +their Families, and become burdensome to others also.</p> + +<p>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, hath a contrary Effect.</p> + +<p>I have observed, that too much Labour not only makes the Understanding +dull, but so intrudes upon the Harmony 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.</p> + +<p>From too much Labour in the Heat, frequently proceeds immoderate Sweats, +which do often, I believe, open the Way for Disorders, and impair our +Constitutions.</p> + +<p>When we go beyond the true Medium, and feel Weariness<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> 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.</p> + +<p>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 which we should endeavour to live +in.</p> + +<p>Thus toiling in the Heat, and drinking strong Liquor, makes Men more +resolute, and less considerate, and tends very much to disqualify from +successfully following him who is meek and low of Heart.</p> + +<p>As laying out Business, more 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 too much strong Drink is often used, and +hereby many proceed to Noise and Wantonness, and some, though more +considerate, do often suffer Loss, as to a true Composedness of Mind.</p> + +<p>I feel sincere Desires in my Heart that no Rent, nor Interest, might be +laid so high as to be a Snare to Tenants. 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.</p> + +<p>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 lamentably neglected by many, who assign them +their Portion of Labour.</p> + +<p>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 to promoting the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> +Slave-trade, and to speak as favourably as may be, with regard to +continuing those in Bondage who are amongst us, we cannot say there is +no Partiality in it; for whatever Tenderness may be manifested by +Individuals in their Life-time towards them, yet for People to be +transmitted from a Man to his Posterity, in the helpless Condition of +Slaves, appears inconsistent with the Nature of the Gospel 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 unexperienced Men, who know +but little about the Weakness of old Age, nor understand the Language of +declining Life.</p> + +<p>Where Parents give their Estates to their Children, and then depend on +them for a Maintainance, they sometimes meet with great Inconveniences; +but if the Power of Possession, thus obtained, doth often reverse 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.</p> + +<p>For Men to behold the Fruits of their Labour withheld from them, and +possessed by others, and in old Age find themselves destitute of those +comfortable Accommodations, and that tender Regard which their Time of +Life requires:</p> + +<p>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 unsympathising Man:</p> + +<p>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 <i>will be a Refuge for the Oppressed</i>, Psalm ix. 9.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p> +<h3>ON SCHOOLS</h3> + +<blockquote><p><i>Suffer the little Children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of +such is the Kingdom of God</i>, Mark x. 14.</p></blockquote> + +<p>To encourage Children to do Things with a View to get 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 of 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, <i>All their Works which they +do is for to be seen of Men</i>, Mat. xxiii. 5.</p> + +<p>That Divine Light which enlightens all Men, I believe, does often shine +in the Minds of Children very early, and to humbly wait for Wisdom, that +our Conduct toward them may tend to forward their Acquaintance with it, +and strengthen them in Obedience thereto, appears to me to be a Duty on +all of us.</p> + +<p>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 Measures 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.</p> + +<p>If Tutors are not acquainted with Sanctification of Spirit, nor +experienced in an humble waiting for the Leadings of Truth, but follow +the Maxims of the Wisdom of this World, such Children who are under +their Tuition, appear to me to be in Danger of imbibing Thoughts, and +Apprehensions, reverse to that Meekness, and Lowliness of Heart, which +is necessary for all the true Followers of Christ.</p> + +<p>Children at an Age fit for Schools, are in a Time of Life which requires +the patient Attention of pious People,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> and if we commit them to the +Tuition of such, whose Minds we believe are not rightly prepared to +<i>train them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord</i>, we are in +Danger 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.</p> + +<p>It is a lovely Sight to behold innocent Children; and when they are sent +to such 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 +Conversation of such Children who do not live in Innocence, it is a Case +much to be lamented.</p> + +<p>While a pious Tutor hath 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 outward +Learning, but to open their Understandings with respect to the true +<i>Christian</i> Life; but where a Person hath 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 Omission he not only suffers, as to the State of +his own Mind, but the Minds of the Children are in Danger of suffering +also.</p> + +<p>To watch the Spirit of Children, to nurture them in 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.</p> + +<p>Instruction, thus administered, reaches the pure Witness in the Minds of +such Children who are not hardened, and begets Love in them toward those +who thus lead them on;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> but where too great a Number are committed to a +Tutor, and he, through much Cumber, omits a careful Attention to the +Minds of Children, there is Danger of Disorders gradually increasing +amongst them, till the Effects thereof appear in their Conduct, too +strong to be easily remedied.</p> + +<p>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 in our Power, to help them on their Way to become the Children +of our Father, who is in Heaven.</p> + +<p>Meditating on the Situation of Schools in our Provinces, my Mind hath, +at Times, been affected with Sorrow, and under these Exercises it hath +appeared to me, that if those who have large Estates, were faithful +Stewards, and laid no Rent, nor Interest, nor other Demands, higher than +is consistent with universal Love; and those in lower Circumstances +would, under a moderate Employ, shun unnecessary Expence, 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.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span></p> +<h3>ON THE RIGHT USE OF THE LORD'S OUTWARD GIFTS</h3> + +<p>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, those Approaches to him are obstructed, and the deceivable +Spirit gains Strength.</p> + +<p>These Truths, being as it were engraven upon our Hearts, and our +everlasting Interest in Christ evidently concerned herein, 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 <i>whatsoever we do in +Word or Deed, may be done in his Name</i>, Col. iii. 17.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Thus the Way gradually opens to cease from that Spirit which craves +Riches and Things fetched far, which so mixeth 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. And as the Minds of People +are settled in a steady Concern, not to hold nor possess any Thing but +what may be held consistent with the Wisdom from above, they consider +what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> they possess as the Gift of God, and are inwardly exercised, that +in all Parts of their Conduct they may act agreeable to the Nature of +the peaceable Government of Christ.</p> + +<p>A little supports such a Life; and in a State truly resigned 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 launching further.</p> + +<p>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 doth suffice.</p> + +<p>Here the real Comforts of Life are not lessened. Moderate Exercise, in +the Way of true Wisdom, is pleasant both to Mind and Body.</p> + +<p>Food and Raiment sufficient, though in the greatest Simplicity, is +accepted with Content and Gratitude.</p> + +<p>The mutual Love, subsisting between the faithful Followers of Christ, is +more pure than that Friendship which is not seasoned with Humility, how +specious soever the Appearance.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>In beholding the customary Departure from the true Medium of Labour, and +that unnecessary Toil which many go through, in supporting outward +Greatness, and procuring Delicacies.</p> + +<p>In beholding how the true Calmness of Life is changed into Hurry, and +that many, by eagerly pursuing outward Treasure, are in great Danger of +withering as to the inward State of the Mind.</p> + +<p>In meditating on the Works of this Spirit, and on the Desolations it +makes amongst the Professors of <i>Christianity</i>, I may thankfully +acknowledge, that I often feel pure Love beget Longings in my Heart, for +the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> Exaltation of the peaceable Kingdom of Christ, and an Engagement to +labour according to the Gift bestowed on me, for the promoting an +humble, plain, temperate Way of living. A Life where no unnecessary +Care, nor Expences, may incumber our Minds, nor lessen our Ability to do +Good; where no Desires after Riches, or Greatness, may lead into hard +Dealing; where no Connections with worldly-minded Men, may abate our +Love to God, nor 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.</p> + +<p>When the Prophet <i>Isaiah</i> had uttered his Vision, and declared that a +Time was coming wherein <i>Swords should be beat into Plowshares, and +Spears into pruning Hooks, and that Nation shall not lift up Sword +against Nation, nor learn War any more</i>; he immediately directs the +Minds of People to the Divine Teacher, in this remarkable Language; <i>O +House of</i> Jacob! <i>come ye, and let us walk in the Light of the Lord</i>, +Isaiah ii. 5.</p> + +<p>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 Traffick, which <i>is not of the Father, +but of the World</i>, 1 John ii. 16 we fail in our Testimony to the Purity +and Peace of his Government, and get into that which is for +Chastisement.</p> + +<p>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, does necessarily require a Support, which pure Wisdom does +not provide for; hence there is no Probability of our being <i>a peculiar +People, so zealous of good Works, as to have no Fellowship with Works of +Darkness</i>, Titus ii. 14. Ephes. v. 11. while we have Wants to supply +which have their Foundation in Custom, and do not come within the +Meaning of those Expressions, <i>your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have +need of all these Things</i>, Mat. vi. 32.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p> + +<p>These Things which he beholds 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 +<i>from these Things which he knoweth that we have need of</i>.</p> + +<p>As my Meditations have been on these Things, Compassion hath filled my +Heart toward my Fellow Creatures, involved in Customs, grown up in <i>the +Wisdom of this World, which is Foolishness with God</i>, 1 Cor. iii. 19. +And O 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 unfailing Refuge, through the various +Dangers attending this uncertain State of Being!</p> + +<p>If those whose Minds are redeemed from the Love of Wealth, and who are +content with a plain, simple Way of living, do yet find that to conduct +the Affairs of a Family, without giving Countenance to unrighteous +Proceedings, or having Fellowship with Works of Darkness, the most +diligent Care is necessary.</p> + +<p>If Customs, distinguishable from universal Righteousness, 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:</p> + +<p>If this be the Case, how lamentably do they expose themselves to +Temptations, who give way to the Love of Riches, conform to expensive +Living, and reach forth for Gain, to support Customs, which our Holy +Shepherd leads not into.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CONSIDERATIONS_ON_THE_TRUE_HARMONY_OF_MANKIND_AND_How_it_is_to_be" id="CONSIDERATIONS_ON_THE_TRUE_HARMONY_OF_MANKIND_AND_How_it_is_to_be"></a>CONSIDERATIONS ON THE TRUE HARMONY OF MANKIND, AND +<br /> How it is to be maintained.</h2> + +<h3>By JOHN WOOLMAN</h3> + +<blockquote><p><i>And the Remnant of</i> Jacob <i>shall be in the midst of many People, +as the Dew from the Lord, as the Showers upon the Grass, that +tarrieth not for Man, nor waiteth for the Sons of Men</i>, Micah v. 7.</p></blockquote> + + +<p class="center"><i>LONDON</i>:<br /> +Re-printed by <span class="smcap">Mary Hinde</span>.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span></p> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span></p> +<h3>THE INTRODUCTION</h3> + +<p>As Mankind 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 is it that the professed Followers of +Christ keep sacred his Holy Name, and be employed about Trade and +Traffick no farther than Justice and Equity evidently accompanies? 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 Knowledge of God, and his Son Jesus Christ, +amongst our Fellow Creatures, which through his infinite Love some feel +to be more precious than any other Treasure.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span></p> +<h3>CONSIDERATIONS ON THE TRUE HARMONY OF MANKIND &c.</h3> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h3>CHAPTER I</h3> + +<p class="center"><i>On serving the Lord in our outward Employments</i></p> + + +<p>Under the 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 +Harmony, may with Singleness of Heart be waited for and followed.</p> + +<p>I trust there are many under that Visitation, which if faithfully +attended to, will make them quick of Understanding in the Fear of the +Lord, and qualify with Firmness to be true Patterns of the <i>Christian</i> +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.</p> + +<p>And 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 Leadings of Christ, +he owneth us as his Friends, <i>Ye are my Friends if ye do whatsoever I +command you</i>; and to be a Friend to Christ, is to be united to him, who +hath all Power in Heaven and in Earth; and though a Woman may forget her +sucking Child, yet will he not forget his faithful Ones.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Condition of many who dwell in Cities hath often 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 Life, 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 the +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 Kingdom of +Christ on Earth as it is in Heaven.</p> + +<p>Now if we indulge a Desire to imitate our Neighbours in those Things +which harmonise not with the true <i>Christian</i> 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 Departure from that pure Feeling of Truth, which if +faithfully attended to, would teach Contentment in the Divine Will, even +in a very low Estate.</p> + +<p>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." <i>Cave's</i> Prim. +<i>Christi.</i> Page 31.</p> + +<p>"It is not enough," says <i>Tertullian</i>, "that a <i>Christian</i> 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 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.</p> + +<p>"The Garments we wear," says <i>Clemens</i>, "ought to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> 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 Curiosity." Page 49.</p> + +<p>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, till 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.</p> + +<p>Our Holy Shepherd, to encourage his Flock in Firmness and Perseverance, +reminds them of his Love for them; <i>As the Father hath loved me, so have +I loved you; continue ye in my Love.</i> And in another Place graciously +points out the Danger of departing therefrom, by going into unsuitable +Employments; this he represents in the Similitude of Offence from that +useful active Member, the Hand; and to fix the Instruction the deeper, +names the right Hand; <i>If thy right Hand offend thee, cut it off and +cast it from thee</i>—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.</p> + +<p>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; <i>If thy right Eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee.</i> +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 Trial, but put our Trust in +him, even in him who sent an Angel to feed <i>Elijah</i> 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.</p> + +<p>The Prophet <i>Isaiah</i> represents the unrighteous Doings of the +<i>Israelites</i> toward the Poor, as the Fruits of an effeminate Life; <i>As +for my People, Children are their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> 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.</i> Then he mentions the Haughtiness of the +Daughters of <i>Sion</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>And I may here add, that at Times, when I have felt true Love open my +Heart towards my Fellow Creatures, and being 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.</p> + +<p>I have here 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 tho' some have been affected with a Sense of their +Difficulties, and 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.</p> + +<p>There is Balm, there is a Physician; and O what Longings 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.</p> + +<p><i>Behold how good and how pleasant it is, for Brethren to dwell together +in Unity.</i> The Nature of this Unity is thus opened by the Apostle; <i>If +we walk in the Light, as Christ<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> is in the Light, we shall have +Fellowship one with another, and the Blood of Christ will cleanse us +from all Sin.</i></p> + +<p>The Land may be polluted with innocent Blood, which like the Blood of +<i>Abel</i> may cry to the Almighty; but those who <i>walk in the Light, as +Christ is in the Light</i>, they know the <i>Lamb of God, who taketh away +Sin</i>.</p> + +<p>Walking is a Phrase frequently used in Scripture, to represent our +Journey thro' Life, and appears to comprehend the various Affairs and +Transactions properly relating to our being in this World.</p> + +<p>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 this Foundation is laid, and mutually kept to, by +Families conversant with each other, the Way is open for these Comforts +in Society, which our Heavenly Father intends as a Part of our Happiness +in this World; and then 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 absolute Power over them, or otherwise laying on them +unequitable 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 +Righteousness: Thus the Harmony of Society is broken, and from hence +Commotions and Wars do frequently arise in the World.</p> + +<p><i>Come out of</i> Babylon <i>my People, that ye be not Partakers of her Sins, +and that ye receive not of her Plagues</i>. Rev. xv. 3, 4. This <i>Babel</i>, or +<i>Babylon</i>, was built in the Spirit of Self-exaltation: <i>Let us build us +a City and a Tower, whose Top may reach to Heaven, and let us make us a +Name</i>. Gen. xi. 4. In departing from an humble Trust in God, and +following a selfish Spirit, People have Intentions to get the upperhand +of their Fellow Creatures, privately meditate on Means to obtain their +Ends, have a Language<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> in their Hearts which is hard to understand. In +<i>Babel</i> the Language is confounded.</p> + +<p>This City is represented as a Place of Business, and those employed in +it, as Merchants of the Earth: <i>The Merchants of the Earth are waxed +rich through the Abundance of her Delicacies</i>. Rev. xviii. 3.</p> + +<p>And it is remarkable in this Call, that the Language from the Father of +Mercies is, my People, <i>Come out of</i> Babylon <i>my People</i>. Thus his +tender Mercies are toward us 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 <i>Babel</i>, represented by the inspired Prophet in +the <i>returning of a pure Language</i>. Zeph. iii. 9.</p> + +<p>Happy for them who humbly attend to the Call, <i>Come out of</i> Babylon <i>my +People</i>. For though in going forth we may meet with Trials, which for a +Time may be painful, yet as we bow in true Humility, and continue in it, +an Evidence is felt that God only is wise; and that in weaning us from +all that is selfish he prepares the Way to a quiet Habitation, where all +our Desires are bounded by his Wisdom. And 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 <i>Christian</i> Walking.</p> + +<p>Our blessed Saviour, speaking on Worldly Greatness, compares himself to +one waiting and attending on a Company at Dinner; <i>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.</i> Luke xxii. 27.</p> + +<p>Thus in a World greatly disordered, where Men aspiring to outward +Greatness were wont to oppress others to support their Designs, he who +was of the highest Descent,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> 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 Shew of outward Greatness, +from any supposed Superiority in themselves, or derived from their +Ancestors.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Such was the Example of our blessed Redeemer, of whom the beloved +Disciple said, <i>He that saith he abideth in him, ought also to walk even +as he walked.</i></p> + +<p><i>John Bradford</i>, who suffered Martyrdom under Queen <i>Mary</i>, 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." <i>Fox's</i> Acts and Mon. Page 1177.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER II</h3> + +<p class="center"><i>On the Example of CHRIST</i></p> + + +<p>As my Mind hath 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; 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 sympathize with them.</p> + +<p>It was the Saying of our blessed Redeemer, <i>Ye cannot serve God and +Mammon</i>. 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 <i>the Way of Holiness</i>; 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 Product of it.</p> + +<p>Now 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.</p> + +<p>How agreeable to the true Harmony of Society, is that Exhortation of the +Apostle? <i>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.</i></p> + +<p>A Person in outward Prosperity may have the Power of obtaining Riches, +but the same Mind being in him which is in Christ Jesus, he may feel a +Tenderness of Heart towards those of low Degree; and instead of setting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> +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 Example of Humiliation, that +the pure Witness may be reached in many Minds; and the Way opened for a +harmonious walking together.</p> + +<p>Jesus Christ, in promoting the Happiness of others, was not deficient in +looking for the Helpless, who lay in Obscurity, nor did he save any +Thing to render himself honourable amongst 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, <i>took not upon him the Nature of +Angels</i>, but our imperfect Natures, and therein wrestled with the +Temptations which attend us in this Life; and being the Son of him who +is greater than Earthly Princes, yet became a Companion to poor, +sincere-hearted Men; and though he gave the clearest Evidence that +Divine Power attended him, yet the most unfavourable Constructions were +framed by a self-righteous People; those 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 till 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 sincere, +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 <i>sorrowful even unto Death</i>; here the human Nature +struggled to be excused from a Cup so bitter; but his Prayers centered +in Resignation, <i>Not my Will but thine be done</i>. In this Conflict, so +great was his Agony, that <i>Sweat like Drops of Blood fell from him to +the Ground</i>.</p> + +<p>Behold now, as foretold by the Prophet, he is in a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> judicial Manner +<i>numbered with the Transgressors</i>! Behold him as some poor Man of no +Reputation, standing before the High Priest and Elders, and before +<i>Herod</i> and <i>Pilate</i>, where Witnesses appear against him, and he mindful +of the most gracious Design of his Coming, declineth to plead in his own +Defence, <i>but as a Sheep that is dumb before the Shearer</i>, so under many +Accusations, Revilings, and Buffetings, remained silent. And though he +signified to <i>Peter</i>, that he had Access to Power sufficient 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 <i>in his Humiliation +his Judgment was taken away</i>, and he, like some vile Criminal, <i>led as a +Lamb to the Slaughter</i>. Under these heavy Trials (tho' poor unstable +<i>Pilate</i> was convinced of his Innocence, yet) the People generally +looked upon him as a Deceiver, a Blasphemer, and the approaching +Punishment as a just Judgment upon him; <i>They esteemed him smitten of +God and afflicted.</i> So great had been the Surprize of his Disciples, at +his being taken by armed Men, that they <i>forsook him, and fled</i>; thus +they hid their Faces from him, he was despised, and by their Conduct it +appeared as though <i>they esteemed him not</i>.</p> + +<p>But contrary to that Opinion, of his being smitten of God and afflicted, +it was for our Sakes that <i>he was put to Grief</i>; <i>he was wounded for our +Transgressions</i>; <i>he was bruised for our Iniquities</i>; and under the +Weight of them manifesting the deepest Compassion for the Instruments of +his Misery, laboured as their Advocate, and in the Deeps of Affliction, +with an unconquerable Patience, cried out, <i>Father, forgive them, they +know not what they do!</i></p> + +<p>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 promote, 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> 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 <i>he was +manifested to destroy the Works of the Devil</i>, and thus to <i>take away +the Sins of the World</i>, may experience the Will of our Heavenly Father, +<i>may be done on Earth as it is in Heaven</i>. Strong are the Desires I +often feel, that this Holy Profession may remain unpolluted, and 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.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER III</h3> + +<p class="center"><i>On</i> <span class="smcap">Merchandizing</span></p> + + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>In being crucified to the World, broken off from that 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 Disintanglement from those Snares which attends +the Love of Money; and where the faithful Friends of Christ are so +situated that Merchandize appears to be their Duty, they feel a +Restraint from proceeding farther than he owns their Proceeding; being +convinced that <i>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</i>, 2 Cor. v. +15. Thus they are taught, not only to keep to a moderate 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.</p> + +<p>The Prophet <i>Isaiah</i> spake of the gathered Church, in the Similitude of +a City, where many being employed were all preserved in Purity; <i>They +shall call them the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord, and thou +shalt be called sought out, a City not forsaken</i>, Isa. lxiii. 10. And +the Apostle, after mentioning the Mystery of Christ's Sufferings, +exhorts, <i>Be ye Holy in all Manner of Conversation</i>, 1 Pet. i. 15. There +is a Conversation necessary in Trade; and there is a Conversation so +foreign from the Nature of Christ's Kingdom, that it is represented in +the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> Similitude of one Man pushing another with a warlike Weapon; <i>There +is that speaketh like the Piercings of a Sword</i>, Prov. xii. 18. Now in +all our Concerns 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 <i>in all Things are +circumspect</i>, Exod. xxiii. 13, that nothing 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.</p> + +<p>Where Morality is kept to, and supported by the Inhabitants of a +Country, there is a certain Reproach attends those Individuals amongst +them, who manifestly deviate therefrom. But where Iniquity is committed +openly, and the Authors of it are not brought to Justice, nor put to +Shame, their Hands grow strong. Thus the general Corruption of the +<i>Jews</i> shortly before their State was broke up by the <i>Chaldeans</i>, is +described by their Boldness in Impiety; for as their Leaders were +connected together in Wickedness they strengthened one another, and grew +confident; <i>Were they ashamed when they had committed Abominations? Nay, +they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush</i>, Jer. vi. 15, on +which Account the Lord thus expostulates with them, <i>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 +rejoicest</i>, Jer. xi. 15.</p> + +<p>Now the faithful Friends of Christ, who hunger and thirst after +Righteousness, and inwardly breathe that his Kingdom may come on Earth +as it is in Heaven, he teacheth them 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> 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, <i>The Lord +our Righteousness</i>, Jer. xiii. 6, and feel him to be <i>made unto us +Wisdom and Sanctification</i>.</p> + +<p>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 unacceptable; +and from those esteemed Leaders of the People may be 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; and O how +necessary it is, to consider the Weight of a Holy Profession!</p> + +<p>The Conduct of some formerly gave Occasion of Complaint against them; +<i>Thou hast defiled thy Sanctuaries by the Multitude of thine Iniquities, +by the Iniquity of thy Traffick</i>, Ezek. xxviii. 18, and in several +Places it is charged against <i>Israel</i>, that they had polluted the Holy +Name.</p> + +<p>The Prophet <i>Isaiah</i> 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; <i>They walk righteously, and speak uprightly.</i> By +<i>walking</i> he represents the Journey through Life, as a righteous +Journey; and <i>by speaking uprightly</i>, seems to point at that which +<i>Moses</i> appears to have had in View, when he thus express'd himself; +<i>Thou shall not follow a Multitude to do Evil, nor speak in a Cause to +decline after many to wrest Judgment</i>, Exod. xxiii. 2.</p> + +<p>He goes on to shew their Firmness in Equity; representing them as +Persons superior to all the Arts of getting Money, which have not +Righteousness for their Foundation; <i>They despise the Gain of +Oppressions</i>: And further shews how careful they are that no Prospects +of Gain may induce them to become partial in Judgment respecting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> an +Injury; <i>They shake their Hands from holding Bribes.</i></p> + +<p>Again, where any Interest is so connected with shedding 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's stopping his Ears to prevent a Sound from entering his Head; <i>They +stop their Ears from hearing Blood</i>: And where they know that Wickedness +is committed, he points out with Care, that they do not by an unguarded +Friendship with the Authors of it, appear like unconcerned Lookers on, +but as People so deeply affected with Sorrow, that they cannot endure to +stand by and behold it; this he represents in the Similitude of a Man +<i>shutting his Eyes from seeing Evil</i>.</p> + +<p><i>Who amongst us shall dwell with devouring Fire? Who amongst us shall +dwell with everlasting Burnings? He that walketh righteously and +speaketh uprightly. 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</i>, Isa. xxxiii. +15.</p> + +<p>He proceeds in the Spirit of Prophecy to shew how the Faithful, being +supported under Temptations, would be preserved from that Defilement +that there is in the Love of Money; that as they who in a reverent +Waiting on God, feel their Strength renewed, are said to <i>mount upward</i>; +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; <i>They shall dwell on high</i>; +and points out the Stability and Firmness of their Condition; <i>His Place +of Defence shall be the Munition of Rocks</i>; and that under all the +outward Appearances of Loss, in denying himself of gainful Profits for +Righteousness Sake, yet through the Care of him who provides for the +Sparrows, he should have a Supply answerable to his infinite Wisdom; +<i>Bread shall be given him, his Waters shall be sure</i>. And as our Saviour +mentions the Sight of God to be attainable by <i>the Pure in Heart</i>, so +here the Prophet pointed out, how in true Sanctification the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> +Understanding is opened, to behold the peaceable harmonious Nature of +his Kingdom; <i>thine Eyes shall see the King in his Beauty</i>: And that +looking beyond all the Afflictions which attend the Righteous, to <i>a +Habitation eternal in the Heavens</i>, they with an eye divinely open +<i>shall behold the Land that is very far off</i>.</p> + +<p><i>He shall dwell on high, his Place of Defence shall be the Munition of +Rocks, Bread shall be given him, his Waters shall be sure. Thine Eyes +shall see the King in his Beauty; they shall behold the Land that is +very far off</i>, Isa. xxxiii. 16.</p> + +<p>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, <i>before whom +the Nations are as the Drop of a Bucket</i>, is <i>no Respecter of Persons</i>. +Happy for them, who like the inspired Prophet, <i>in the Way of his +Judgments wait for him</i>, Isa. xxvi. 8.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>The Prophet in a Sight of a divine Work amongst many People, declared in +the Name of the Lord, <i>I will gather all Nations and Tongues, and they +shall come and see my Glory</i>, Isa. lxvi. 18. And again, <i>from the rising +of the Sun to the going down of the same, my Name shall be great amongst +the</i> Gentiles, <i>and in every Place Incense shall be offered to my Name, +and a pure Offering</i>, Malachi i. 11.</p> + +<p>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 <i>take the +Heathen for his Inheritance, and the utmost Parts of the Earth for his +Possession</i>, Psal. ii. 8. That <i>he was given for a Light to the</i> +Gentiles; <i>and for Salvation to the Ends of the Earth</i>, Isa. xlix. 6.</p> + +<p>When we meditate on this divine Work, as a Work of Ages; a Work that the +Prophets felt long before Christ appeared visibly on Earth, and remember +the bitter Agonies he endured when he <i>poured out his Soul unto<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> Death</i>, +that the Heathen Nations, as well as others, might come to the Knowledge +of the Truth and be saved.</p> + +<p>When we contemplate on this marvellous Work, as that which <i>the Angels +desire to look into</i>, 1 Pet. i. 12. 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 indifferent +with respect to publishing the glad Tidings amongst the <i>Gentiles</i>, as +yet sitting in Darkness and entangled with many Superstitions; but +aspiring after Wealth and worldly Honours, take hold of Means to obtain +their Ends, tending to stir up Wrath and Indignation, and to beget an +Abhorrence in them to the Name of <i>Christianity</i>. When these Things are +weightily attended to, how mournful is the Subject?</p> + +<p>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 the promoting of it in +the Earth.</p> + +<p><i>Policarp</i>, who was reputed a Disciple of the Apostle <i>John</i>, 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! O God of the Angels and Powers, and of every living Creature, +and of all Sorts of just Men which 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 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 +everlasting High Priest, Jesus Christ, thy well-beloved Son; to whom, +with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all Glory, World without End. <i>Amen.</i>"</p> + +<p>Bishop <i>Latimer</i>, when Sentence of Death by Fire was pronounced against +him, on Account of his Firmness in the Cause of Religion, he said, "I +thank God most heartily, that he hath prolonged my Life to this End;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> +that I may in this Case glorify him by this Kind of Death." <i>Fox's</i> Acts +and Mon. 936.</p> + +<p><i>William Dewsbury</i>, who had suffered much for his Religion, in his last +Sickness, encouraging his Friends to Faithfulness, made mention, like +good old <i>Jacob</i>, 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. See Introduction to his Works.</p> + +<p>I mention these as a few Examples, out of many of the powerful +Operations 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 Government opened in +their Understandings, how loud is that Call wherewith we are called to +Faithfulness; that in following this pure Light of Life, we, <i>as Workers +together with him</i>, 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 +<i>Christianity</i> is become hateful to many of the <i>Heathen</i>.</p> + +<p>When <i>Gehazi</i> had obtained Treasures which the Prophet 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 a +specious Living.</p> + +<p><i>Is it a Time to receive Money and Garments, Men Servants and Maid +Servants? The Leprosy therefore of</i> Naaman <i>shall cleave to thee, and to +thy Seed for ever</i>, 2 Kings v. 26. And 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.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER IV</h3> + +<p class="center"><i>On</i> <span class="smcap">Divine Admonitions</span></p> + + +<p>Such are the Perfections of our Heavenly Father, that in all the +Dispensations of his Providence, it is our Duty, <i>in every Thing, to +give Thanks</i>. Though from the first Settlement of this Part of +<i>America</i>, 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 eat the +Roots, that the Surface, being loosened from the Soil beneath, might be +taken off in great Sheets.</p> + +<p>These Kind of devouring Creatures appearing seldom, and coming in such +Multitudes, their Generation appears different from most other Reptiles, +and by the Prophet were call'd <i>God's Army sent amongst the People</i>, +Joel ii. 25.</p> + +<p>There have been Tempests of Hail, which have very much destroyed the +Grain where they extended. Through long Drought in Summer, Grain in some +Places hath been less than half the usual Quantity;<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> 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 languished; and with Reverence my Mind +hath been turned towards him, who being perfect in Goodness, in Wisdom +and Power, doeth all Things right. And after long Drought, when the Sky +hath grown dark with a Collection of Matter, and Clouds like Lakes of +Water hung over our Heads, from whence the thirsty Land hath been +soaked; I have at Times, with Awfulness, beheld the vehement Operation +of Lightning, made sometimes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> 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 give striking Admonitions, that we do +not misapply those Gifts, in which an Almighty Power is exerted, in +bestowing them upon us.</p> + +<p>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 behold +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 no +more venture to use, or apply his Gifts, in a Way contrary to pure +Wisdom.</p> + +<p>Should we continue to reject those merciful Admonitions, 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 Distress than hath +yet been felt by these Provinces; with what sorrow of Heart might we +meditate on that Subject, <i>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 forsaken the Lord thy God, and that my Fear is +not in thee, saith the Lord of Hosts</i>, Jer. ii. 17, 19.</p> + +<p>My Mind hath often been affected with Sorrow, in beholding a wrong +Application of the Gifts of our Heavenly Father; and those Expressions +concerning the Defilement of the Earth have been opened to my +Understanding; <i>The Earth was corrupt before God, and the Earth was +filled with Violence</i>, Gen. vi. 11. Again, Isaiah xxiv. 5. <i>The Earth +also is defiled under the Inhabitants thereof.</i><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span></p> + +<p>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 <i>in our Skirts are found the Blood of +the Souls of poor Innocents; not by a secret Search, but upon all +these</i>,<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> Jer. ii. 34.</p> + +<p>When Blood shed unrighteously remains unatoned for, and the Inhabitants +are not effectually 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 polluted with Blood, <i>Deut</i>. xxi. 6.</p> + +<p>Moreover, when the Earth is planted and tilled, and the Fruits brought +forth are applied to support unrighteous Purposes; here the gracious +Design of infinite Goodness, in these his Gifts being perverted, the +Earth is defiled; and the Complaint formerly uttered becomes applicable; +<i>Thou hast made me to serve with thy Sins; thou hast wearied me with +thine Iniquities</i>, Isaiah xliii. 24.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="AN_EPISTLE_TO_THE_QUARTERLY_AND_MONTHLY_MEETINGS_OF_FRIENDS" id="AN_EPISTLE_TO_THE_QUARTERLY_AND_MONTHLY_MEETINGS_OF_FRIENDS"></a>AN EPISTLE TO THE QUARTERLY AND<br /> MONTHLY MEETINGS OF FRIENDS.</h2> + +<h3>By JOHN WOOLMAN.</h3> + + +<p class="center"><i>LONDON</i>:<br /> +Re-printed by <span class="smcap">Mary Hinde</span>.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span></p> +<h3>AN EPISTLE, &c.</h3> + + +<p>Beloved Friends,—Feeling at this Time a renewed Concern that the pure +Principle 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 may so walk that our Conduct +may reach the pure Witness in the Hearts of such who are not in +Profession with us.</p> + +<p>And, dear Friends, while we publickly own that the Holy Spirit is our +Leader, the Profession is in itself weighty, and the Weightiness thereof +increaseth in Proportion as we are noted among the Professors of Truth, +and active in dealing with such who walk disorderly.</p> + +<p>Many under our Profession, for Want of due Attention, 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 +increasing 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 Conduct hath appeared more dishonourable in +the World.</p> + +<p>Now as my Mind hath been exercised before the Lord, I have seen, that +the Discipline of the Church of Christ 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 +Circumstances, 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 the Purity of Discipline, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span> +over that Holiness of Life, which Christ leads those into, <i>in whom, the +Love of God is verily perfected</i>, 1 John ii. 5.</p> + +<p>When we labour in true Love with Offenders, and they remain obstinate, +it sometimes is necessary to proceed as far as our Lord directed; <i>Let +him be to thee as an heathen Man, or a Publican</i>, Mat. xviii. 17.</p> + +<p>Now 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 such 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;—<i>Judge not</i>, said our Lord, <i>that ye +be not Judged.</i> Now this forbidding alludes to Man's Judgment, and +points out the Necessity of our humbly attending to that sanctifying +Power, under which the Faithful experience the Lord to be <i>a Spirit of +Judgment to them</i>, Isa. xxviii. 6. And as we feel his Holy Spirit to +mortify the Deeds of the Body in us, and can say, <i>It is no more I that +live, but Christ that liveth in me</i>, here right Judgment is known.</p> + +<p>And while Divine Love prevails in our Hearts, and Self in 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 <i>this is the Love +of God, that we keep his Commandments</i>, John i. 3.</p> + +<p>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, <i>Thy Name, O Father I be hallowed. Thy Kingdom come. Thy +Will be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven.</i>—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 his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> Holy Name sacred, but +by humbly abiding under the Cross of Christ. The Apostle laid a heavy +Complaint against some who prophaned this Holy Name by their Manner of +Living, <i>Through you</i>, he says, <i>the Name of God is blasphemed among +the</i> Gentiles, <i>Rom.</i> ii. 24.</p> + +<p>Some of our Ancestors, through many Tribulations, were gathered into the +State of true Worshippers, and had Fellowship in that which is pure; and +as one was inwardly moved to kneel down in their Assemblies, and +publickly 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 remember that to unite in Worship, is an Union in Prayer, and +that Prayer acceptable to the Father, is only 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; <i>If ye abide in me</i>, +saith Christ, <i>and my Words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will in +my Name, and it shall be done unto you.</i>—Now 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.</p> + +<p>How weighty are our solemn Meetings when the Name of Christ is kept +Holy!</p> + +<p>"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!" <i>R. Barclay's</i> Apology, Page 404.</p> + +<p>How necessary is it that we who profess these Principles, and are +outwardly active in supporting them, should faithfully abide in Divine +Strength, that <i>as he who has called us, is Holy, so we may be Holy in +all manner of Conversation</i>, 1 Pet. i. 15.</p> + +<p>If one professing to be influenced by the Spirit of Christ, propose to +unite in a Labour to promote Righteousness<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> in the Earth, and in Time +past he hath manifestly deviated from the Paths of Equity, then to act +consistent with this Principle, his first Work is to make Restitution so +far as he may be enabled; for if he attempts to contribute 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 +entangle 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.</p> + +<p>Again, if I propose to assist in supporting those Doctrines 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 then 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.</p> + +<p>To be convinced of the pure Principle of Truth, and diligently exercised +in walking answerable thereto, is necessary before I can consistently +recommend this Principle to others.—I often feel a Labour in Spirit, +that we who are active Members in religious Society, may experience in +ourselves the Truth of those Expressions of the Holy One; <i>I will be +sanctified in them that come nigh me</i>, Lev. x. 3.——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 +incited in me, that we who profess the inward Principle of Light to be +our Teacher, may be a Family united in that Purity of Worship, which +comprehends a Holy Life, and ministers Instruction to others.</p> + +<p>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 +inwardly 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 Thoughts of such being entangled with Customs, +contrary to pure Wisdom,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> conveyed to them through our Hands, doth often +very tenderly, and movingly affect my Heart, and when I look towards, +and think on the succeeding Generation, fervent Desires are raised in +me, that we by yielding to that Holy Spirit which leads into all Truth, +may not do the Work of the Lord deceitfully, may not live contrary to +the Purity of the Divine Principle we profess; but that as faithful +Labourers in our Age, we may be instrumental in removing +Stumbling-blocks out of the Way of those who may succeed us.</p> + +<p>So great was the Love of Christ, that he gave himself for the Church, +<i>that he might sanctify and cleanse it, that it should be Holy, and +without Blemish, not having Spot or Wrinkle, or any such Thing</i>, Eph. v. +25. and where any take the Name of Christ upon them, professing to be +Members of his Church, and 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, <i>viz.</i> in his Body the Church.</p> + +<p>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 +Newness 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; and when under a Travail of Spirit, we behold a +visited People entangled by the Spirit of the World with its Wickedness +and Customs, and thereby rendered incapable of being faithful Examples +to others, Sorrow and Heaviness under a Sense of these Things, is often +experienced, and thus in some Measure is filled up that which remains of +the Afflictions of Christ.</p> + +<p>Our blessed Saviour speaking concerning Gifts offered in Divine Service, +says, <i>If thou bring thy Gift to the Altar, and there remembrest that +thy Brother hath ought against thee, leave there thy Gift before the +Altar, and go thy Way,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> first be reconciled to thy Brother, and then +come and offer thy Gift</i>, Mat. v. 23, 24. 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 +Contradiction which some of their Fruits bear to the pure spiritual +Worship, here it appears necessary to lay to Heart this Command, <i>Leave +thy Gift by the Altar</i>.</p> + +<p>Christ graciously calls his People Brethren; <i>Whosoever shall do the +Will of God, the same is my Brother</i>, Mark iii. 35. Now 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, <i>Leave</i>, saith he, <i>thy Gift by the Altar, first go +and be reconciled to thy Brother</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>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 Possibility of proceeding as an Assembly of +the Lord's People in the pure Council 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, relating to a visible +gathered Church, the Members whereof are guided by the Holy Spirit.</p> + +<p>The Church is called <i>the Body of Christ</i>, Col. i. 24.</p> + +<p>Christ is called <i>the Head of the Church</i>, Eph. i. 22.</p> + +<p>The Church is called <i>the Pillar, and Ground of Truth</i>, 1 Tim. iii. 15.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span></p> + +<p>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 +Profession 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 such which Christ is the Author of.</p> + +<p>Now 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 +prophaning the Holy Name, and of going back toward that Wilderness of +Sufferings and Persecution, out of which, through the tender Mercies of +God, a Church hath been gathered; <i>Christ liveth in sanctified Vessels</i>, +Gal. ii. 20. and where they behold his Holy Name prophaned, and the pure +Gospel Light eclipsed, through the Unfaithfulness of any who by their +Station appear to be Standard-bearers under the Prince of Peace, the +living Members in the Body of Christ in 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 less waited for and followed, so the true Suffering Seed is more +and more oppressed.</p> + +<p>My Mind is often affected with a Sense of the Condition of +sincere-hearted People in some Kingdoms, where Liberty of Conscience is +not allowed, many of whom being burthened in their Minds with prevailing +Superstition joined with Oppressions, are often under Sorrow; and where +such have attended to that pure Light which hath in some degree opened +their Understandings, and for their Faithfulness thereto, have been +brought to Examination and Trial, how heavy are the Persecutions which +in divers Parts of the World are exercised upon them! How mighty, as to +the outward, is that Power by which they are borne down, and oppressed!</p> + +<p>How deeply affecting is the Condition of many upright-hearted People who +are taken into the <i>Papal</i> Inquisition! What lamentable Cruelties, in +deep Vaults, in a private Way, are exercised on many of them! And how +lingering<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> is that Death by a small slow Fire, which they have +frequently indured, who have been faithful to the End!</p> + +<p>How many tender spirited <i>Protestants</i> have been sentenced to spend the +Remainder 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 Conscience of the Parents, that by +dissenting from them, they have hazarded their Liberty, Lives, and all +that was dear to them of the Things of this World!</p> + +<p>There have been in Time past severe Persecutions under the <i>English</i> +Government, and many sincere-hearted People have suffered Death for the +Testimony of a good Conscience, whose Faithfulness in their Day hath +ministred 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 length, through the tender Mercies of God, hath +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.</p> + +<p>As these Things are often fresh in my Mind, and this great Work of God +going on in the Earth has been open before me, that Liberty of +Conscience with which we are favoured, hath appeared not as a light +Matter.</p> + +<p>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 like laying the Foundation for future Sufferings.</p> + +<p>I feel a living Invitation in my Mind to such 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 Conscience toward God, not obtained but through<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> 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 endure, or our Hands be strong, if we desert a +Cause so precious, if we turn aside from a Work, under which so many +have patiently laboured?</p> + +<p>May the deep Sufferings of our Saviour be so dear to us, that we may +never trample under Foot the adorable Son of God, nor count the Blood of +the Covenant unholy!</p> + +<p>May the Faithfulness of the Martyrs when the Prospect of Death by Fire +was before them, be remembred. And may the patient constant Sufferings +of the upright-hearted Servants of God in latter Ages be revived in our +Minds. And may we so follow on to know the Lord, that neither the +Faithful in this Age, nor those in Ages to come, may ever be brought +under Suffering, through our sliding back from the Work of Reformation +in the World.</p> + +<p>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 Disorders 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 this Church, continue in a manifest Opposition to the Purity +of our Principles, this, as the Prophet <i>Isaiah</i> x. 18. expresseth it, +is like <i>as when a Standard-bearer fainteth</i>; and thus the Way opens to +great and prevailing Degeneracy, and to Sufferings for such 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.</p> + +<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> +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 Will, the pure Light shines into the Soul, and where the +Fruits of that Spirit which is of the 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 gathered Church, the Sincere in Heart who +abide in true Stillness, and are exercised therein before the Lord for +his Name's Sake, have a Knowledge of Christ in the Fellowship 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 gathered +Church, without, the pure Leadings of the Spirit of Christ.</p> + +<p>While aught remains in us different from a perfect Resignation of our +Wills, it is like a Seal to a Book wherein is written, <i>that good, and +acceptable, and perfect Will of God concerning us</i>, Rom. xii. 2. but +when our Minds entirely yield to Christ, that Silence is known, which +followeth the opening of the last of the Seals, <i>Rev.</i> viii. 1. In this +Silence we learn abiding 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, and 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.</p> + +<p>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 unprofitable, 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 Stop which in +relation to good Order in the visible gathered Church, is of the +greatest Consequence to be observed; thus <i>Robert Barclay</i> in his +Treatise on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> Discipline holds forth, Page 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."</p> + +<p>Now in this Stop I have learned the Necessity of waiting on the Lord in +Humility, that the Works of all may be brought to the 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 gathered Church +brought forth in Man's Wisdom, remain to be unprofitable.</p> + +<p>Where People are divinely gathered into a Holy Fellowship, and +faithfully abide under the Influence of that Spirit which leads into all +Truth, <i>they are the Light of the World</i>, Mat. v. 14. Now holding this +Profession, to me hath appeared 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.</p> + +<p>I trust there are many who at Times, under Divine Visitation, feel an +inward Enquiry 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 of our Conduct carry a Contradiction to the Truth as +it is in Jesus, or be a Means of prophaning his Holy Name, and be a +Stumbling-block in the Way of those sincere Enquirers!</p> + +<p>When such Seekers, who wearied with empty Forms, look toward uniting +with us as a People, and behold active Members among us depart in their +customary Way of Living, from that Purity of Life, which under humbling +Exercises hath 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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> +harmonious Principle, and Testimony of Truth amongst Mankind!</p> + +<p>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 <i>doing to others as we would they should do unto +us</i>, 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; and 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.</p> + +<p>May each of us query with ourselves, have the Treasures I possess been +gathered in that Wisdom which is from above, so far as hath appeared to +me?</p> + +<p>Have none of my Fellow Creatures an equitable Right to any Part which is +called mine?</p> + +<p>Have the Gifts, and Possessions received by me from others, been +conveyed in a Way free from all Unrighteousness, so far as I have seen?</p> + +<p>The Principle of Peace in which our Trust is only in the Lord, and our +Minds weaned from a Dependance on the Strength of Armies, hath appeared +to me very precious, and I often feel strong Desires, that we who +profess this Principle, may so walk, as to give just Cause for none of +our Fellow Creatures to be offended at us; 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, <i>Call no Man your Father +upon the Earth; for one is your Father which is in Heaven</i>, Mat. xxiii. +9. 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, as an Inheritance from him,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> who formed, +and supports the World. Now in this Condition the true Enjoyment of the +good Things of this Life is understood, and that Blessing felt, in which +is real Safety; this is what I apprehend our blessed Lord had in View, +when he pronounced, <i>Blessed are the Meek, for they shall inherit the +Earth</i>.</p> + +<p>Selfish Worldly-minded Men may hold Lands in the selfish Spirit, and +depending on the Strength of the outward Power, be perplexed with secret +Uneasiness, lest the Injured should sometime overpower them, and that +Measure 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 the Heavenly Father, free from all the +Defilements, and Perplexities of Unrighteousness.</p> + +<p>Where Proceedings have been in that Wisdom which is from beneath, and +inequitable Gain gathered by a Man, and left as a Gift to his Children, +who being entangled by the same Worldly Spirit, have not attained to +that Clearness 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 Exercise of Mind, that the Sins of the +Fathers are embraced by the Children, and become their Sins, and thus of +the Days of Tribulation, the Iniquities in the Fathers are visited upon +these Children, who take hold of the Unrighteousness of their Fathers, +and live in that Spirit in which those Iniquities were committed; to +which agreeth the Prophecy of <i>Moses</i>, concerning a rebellious People; +<i>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</i>, Lev. xxvi. 39. and our blessed Lord in beholding the Hardness of +Heart in that Generation, and feeling in himself, that they lived in the +same Spirit in which the Prophets had been persecuted unto Death, +signified, <i>That the Blood of all the Prophets which was shed from the +Foundation of the World, should be required of that Generation, from the +Blood of</i> Abel, <i>unto the Blood of</i> Zacharias, <i>who perished between the +Altar and the Temple</i>, Luke xi. 51.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span></p> + +<p>Tender Compassion fills my Heart towards 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.</p> + +<p>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 ourselves to his Holy Will; in this Condition, all our Wants and +Desires are bounded by pure Wisdom, and our Minds wholly attentive to +the Counsel of Christ inwardly communicated, which hath appeared to me +as a Habitation of Safety for the Lord's People, in Times of outward +Commotion 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.</p> + + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">John Woolman.</span></p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0"><span class="smcap">Mount-Holly</span>, <span class="smcap">New-Jersey</span>,<br /></span> +<span class="i2"><i>4th Month 1772</i>.<br /></span> +</div></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="REMARKS_ON_SUNDRY_SUBJECTS" id="REMARKS_ON_SUNDRY_SUBJECTS"></a>REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS.</h2> + +<h3>By JOHN WOOLMAN.</h3> + +<p class="center"><i>LONDON</i>:<br /> +Printed by <span class="smcap">Mary Hinde</span>.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span></p> +<h3>REMARKS &c.</h3> + + +<h3>CHAPTER I</h3> + +<p class="center"><i>On loving our Neighbours as ourselves</i></p> + +<p>When we love the Lord with all our Hearts, and his Creatures in his +Love, we are then preserv'd in Tenderness 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 disordering the +Affairs of Society.</p> + +<p>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 Necessaries of Life, this requires his +serious Attention.</p> + +<p>If several principal Men in Business unite in setting the Wages of those +who work for Hire, and therein have Regard to a Profit to themselves +answerable to unnecessary Expence in their Families, while the Wages of +the other 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.</p> + +<p>Now I feel a Concern in the Spring of pure Love, that all who have +Plenty of outward Substance, may Example others in the right Use of +Things; may carefully look into the Condition of poor People, and beware +of exacting on them with Regard to their Wages.</p> + +<p>While hired Labourers, by moderate Industry, through the Divine +Blessing, may live comfortably, raise up Families, and give them +suitable Education, it appears reasonable for them to be content with +their Wages.</p> + +<p>If they who have Plenty love their Fellow Creatures<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> 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 requiring Attention, and the more we possess, the greater is our +Trust, and with an Increase of Treasure, an Increase of Care becomes +necessary.</p> + +<p>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 farther 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.</p> + +<p>A Desire for Treasures on any other Motive, appears to be against that +Command of our blessed Saviour, <i>Lay not up for yourselves Treasures +here on Earth</i>, Mat. vi. 19.</p> + +<p>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 <i>yourselves</i>, +<i>Lay not up for</i> yourselves <i>Treasures here on Earth</i>.</p> + +<p>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 <i>ourselves</i>, but to him who died for us. And as we are +thus united in Spirit to Christ, we are engaged to labour in promoting +that Work in the Earth for which he suffer'd.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>In great Treasure, there is a great Trust. A great Trust requireth great +Care. But the laborious Mind wants Rest.</p> + +<p>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 Unrighteousness, but is careful lest at any Time his Heart +be over-charg'd.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span></p> + +<p>In the harmonious Spirit of Society <i>Christ is all in all</i>, Col. iii. +11.</p> + +<p>Here it is that <i>old Things are past away, all Things are new, all +Things are of God</i>, 2 Cor. v. 17, 18, and the Desire for outward Riches +is at an End.</p> + +<p>They of low Degree who have small Gifts, enjoy their Help who have large +Gifts; those with their small Gifts, have a small degree of Care, while +these with their 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.</p> + +<p>But when they who have much Treasure, are not faithful Stewards of the +Gifts of God, great Difficulties attend it.</p> + +<p>Now 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 Wars and great Calamities in the World, and a +Labour attends me to open it to others.</p> + +<p>Now 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 Living, as he whose Gifts of +Mind are greater, and whose Cares are more extensive.</p> + +<p>If some endowed with strong Understandings as Men, abide not in the +harmonious State, in which we <i>love our Neighbours as ourselves</i>, but +walk in that Spirit in which the Children of this World are wise in +their Generation; 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 <i>Treasures +for ourselves</i>; and great Treasures managed in any other Spirit, than +the Spirit of Truth, disordereth the Affairs of Society, for hereby the +good Gifts of God in this outward Creation are turned into the Channels +of Worldly Honour, and frequently applied to support Luxury, while the +Wages<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> of poor Labourers are such, that with moderate Industry and +Frugality they may not live comfortably, raise up Families, and give +them suitable Education, but through the Streightness of their +Condition, are often drawn on to labour under Weariness, to toil through +Hardships themselves, and frequently to oppress those useful Animals +with which we are intrusted.</p> + +<p>From Age to Age, throughout all Ages, Divine Love is that alone, in +which Dominion has been, is, and will be rightly conducted.</p> + +<p>In this the Endowments of Men are so employed, that the Friend and the +Governor are united in one, and oppressive Customs come to an End.</p> + +<p>Riches in the Hands of Individuals in Society, is 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 Government.</p> + +<p>The Earth, through the Labour of Men under the Blessing of him who +formed it, yieldeth a Supply for the Inhabitants from Generation to +Generation, and they who walk in the pure Light, their Minds are +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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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>I will be +a Father to them, and they shall be my Sons and Daughters</i>, 2 Cor. vi. +18.</p> + +<p>When Wages in a fruitful Land bear so small a Proportion to the +Necessaries of Life, that poor honest People<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> 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 +Oppression, or else omit that which appears to be a Duty.</p> + +<p>While this is the Case with the Poor, there is an Inclination 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 +these Hardships which the Poor pass through.</p> + +<p>Now this Subject requireth 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 these our Labours are consistent with universal +Righteousness; but if in striving to shun Poverty, we do not walk in +that State where <i>Christ is our Life</i>, then we wander; <i>He that hath the +Son, hath Life</i>, 1 John v. 12. <i>This Life is the Light of Men</i>, 1 John +1. 4. If we walk not in this Light, we walk in Darkness, and <i>he that +walketh in Darkness, knoweth not whither he goeth</i>, John xii. 35.</p> + +<p>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. <i>Christ is +given to be a Leader and Commander of the People</i>, Isaiah lv. 4. Again; +<i>The Lord shall guide thee continually</i>, Isaiah lviii. 12. Again; <i>Lord, +thou wilt ordain Peace for us, for thou also hast wrought all our Works +in us</i>, Isaiah xxvi. 12.</p> + +<p><i>In the Lord have we Righteousness and Strength</i>, Isaiah xlv. 24.</p> + +<p>In this State our Minds are preserved watchful in following the Leadings +of his Spirit in all our Proceedings in this World, 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 Narrowness +of natural Love, are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> afraid that their Children will be 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 embolden'd to +continue in a Way of Proceeding, without waiting for the Divine Leader.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Now to keep faithful to the pure Counsellor, and under trying +Circumstances suffer Adversity for Righteousness Sake, in this there is +a Reward.</p> + +<p>If we, being poor, are hardly dealt with by those who are rich, and +under this Difficulty are frugal and industrious, and in true Humility +open our Case to them who oppress us, this may reach the pure Witness in +their Minds; 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.</p> + +<p>When we feel what it is to suffer in the true suffering State, then we +experience the Truth of those Expressions, that, <i>as the Sufferings of +Christ abound in us, so our Consolation aboundeth by Christ</i>, 2 Cor. i. +5.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>If we who are of a middle Station between Riches and Poverty, are +affected at Times with the Oppressions of the Poor, and feel a tender +Regard for our Posterity after us, O how necessary is it that we wait +for the pure Counsel of Truth!</p> + +<p>Many have seen the Hardships of the Poor, felt an eager Desire that +their Children may be put in a Way to escape<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> these Hardships; but how +few have continued in that pure Love which openeth our Understandings to +proceed rightly under these Difficulties!</p> + +<p>How few have faithfully followed that Holy Leader who prepares his +People to labour for the Restoration of true Harmony amongst our Fellow +Creatures!</p> + +<p><i>In the pure Gospel Spirit we walk by Faith and not by Sight</i>, 2 Cor. v. +7.</p> + +<p>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 enlarg'd toward +Mankind universally; but in departing from the true Light of Life, many +in striving to get Treasures have stumbled upon the dark Mountains.</p> + +<p>Now 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 open'd before me as a Place of Retirement for the Children of +the Light, where we may stand separated from that which disordereth and +confuseth the Affairs of Society, and where we may have a Testimony of +our Innocence in the Hearts of those who behold us.</p> + +<p>Through departing from the Truth as it is in Jesus, through introducing +Ways of Life attended with unnecessary Expences, many Wants have arisen, +the Minds of People have been employ'd in studying to get Wealth, and in +this Pursuit some departing from Equity, have retain'd a Profession of +Religion; others have look'd at their Example, and thereby been +strengthen'd to proceed further in the same Way: Thus many have +encourag'd the Trade of taking Men from <i>Africa</i>, and selling them as +Slaves.</p> + +<p>It hath been computed that near One Hundred Thousand Negroes have of +late Years been taken annually from that Coast, by Ships employed in the +<i>English</i> Trade.</p> + +<p>As I have travell'd on religious Visits in some Parts of <i>America</i>, I +have seen many of these People under the Command of Overseers, in a +painful Servitude.</p> + +<p>I have beheld them as <i>Gentiles</i> under People professing <i>Christianity</i>, +not only kept ignorant of the Holy Scriptures,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> but under great +Provocations to Wrath; of whom it may truly be said, <i>They that rule +over them make them to howl, and the Holy Name is abundantly +blasphemed</i>, Isaiah lii. 5.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>But where Youth are pinched for want of the Necessaries 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 Disadvantages they lie under! And how forcibly do these Things work +against the Increase of the Government of the Prince of Peace!</p> + +<p><i>Humphrey Smith</i>, in his Works, p. 125, speaking of the tender Feelings +of the Love of God in his Heart when he was a Child, 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-mindedness and wrathful Nature so provoked +me, that I was estranged from it.</p> + +<p>"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."</p> + +<p>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 hath been great.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>I have read some Books wrote by People who were acquainted with the +Manner of getting Slaves in <i>Africa</i>.</p> + +<p>I have had verbal Relations of this Nature from several Negroes brought +from <i>Africa</i>, who have learn'd to talk <i>English</i>.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span></p> + +<p>I have sundry Times heard <i>Englishmen</i> speak on this Subject, who have +been at <i>Africa</i> on this Business; and from all these Accounts it +appears evident that great Violence is committed, and much Blood shed in +<i>Africa</i> in getting Slaves.</p> + +<p>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 Inconvenience arise from their Number; but Slaves are taken +by Violence, and frequently endeavour to kill the white People, that +they may return to their Native Land. Hence they are frequently kept +under some Sort of Confinement, by Means of which a Scent ariseth in the +Hold of a Ship, and Distempers 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 +<i>America</i>, 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 Thousands are computed to die every Year, in what +is called the Seasoning.</p> + +<p>Thus it appears evident, that great Numbers of these People are brought +every Year to an untimely End; many of them being such who never injured +us.</p> + +<p>When the Innocent suffer under hard-hearted Men, even unto Death, and +the Channels of Equity are so obstructed, that the Cause of the +Sufferers is not judged in Righteousness, <i>the Land is polluted with +Blood</i>, Numb. xxxv. 33.</p> + +<p>When Blood hath been shed unrighteously, and remains unatoned for, the +Cry thereof is very piercing.</p> + +<p>Under the humbling Dispensations of Divine Providence, this Cry hath +deeply affected my Heart, and I feel a Concern to open, as I may be +enabled, that which lieth heavy on my Mind.</p> + +<p>When <i>the Iniquity of the House of</i> Israel <i>and of</i> Judah<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> <i>was +exceeding great, when the Land was defiled with Blood, and the City full +of Perverseness</i>, Ezek. ix. 9. <i>some were found sighing and crying for +the Abominations of the Times</i>, Ezek. ix. 4. and such who live under a +right Feeling of our Condition as a Nation, these I trust will be +sensible that the 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 thro' the Examples one of another, +have often been unmoved at the most serious Warnings.</p> + +<p>Our blessed Saviour speaking of the People of the old World, said, <i>They +eat, they drank, they married, and were given in Marriage, until the Day +that</i> Noah <i>went into the Ark, and the Flood came and destroy'd them +all</i>, Luke xvii. 27.</p> + +<p>The like he spake concerning the People of <i>Sodom</i>, who are also +represented by the Prophet as haughty, luxurious, and oppressive; <i>This +was the Sin of</i> Sodom, <i>Pride, Fulness of Bread, and Abundance of +Idleness was found in her, and in her Daughters; neither did she +strengthen the Hands of the Poor and Needy</i>, Ezek. xvi. 49.</p> + +<p>Now in a Revolt so deep as this, when much Blood has been shed +unrighteously, in carrying on the Slave Trade, and 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!</p> + +<p>While this Practice is continued, and under a great Load of Guilt there +is more Unrighteousness committed, the State of Things is very moving!</p> + +<p>There is a Love which stands in Nature, and a Parent beholding his Child +in Misery, hath a Feeling of the Affliction; but in Divine Love the +Heart is enlarged towards Mankind universally, and prepar'd to +sympathize with Strangers, though in the lowest Station in Life.</p> + +<p>Of this the Prophet appears to have had a Feeling, when he said, <i>Have +we not all one Father? Hath not one God created us? Why then do we deal +treacherously every Man with his Brother, in prophaning the Covenant of +our Fathers?</i> Mal. ii. 10.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span></p> + +<p>He who of old heard the Groans of the Children of <i>Israel</i> under the +hard Task-masters in <i>Egypt</i>, I trust hath looked down from his Holy +Habitation on the Miseries of these deeply oppress'd People. Many Lives +have been shorten'd through extreme Oppression while they labour'd to +support Luxury and Worldly Greatness; and tho' 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.</p> + +<p>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 Advocate; 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.</p> + +<p>The unoffending Aged and Infirm made to labour too hard, kept on a Diet +less comfortable than their weak State required, and exposed to great +Difficulties under 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 of my Parents.</p> + +<p>Innocent Youth taken by 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; placed under People, where +their Lives have been attended with great Provocation to Anger and +Revenge.</p> + +<p>With the Condition of these Youth, my Mind hath 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 minister'd to them, my +Tears have been often poured out before the Lord.</p> + +<p>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 Conduct towards them, manifested a Disposition answerable to +the pure Principle in their Hearts, how might the Holy Name<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> have been +honoured amongst the <i>Gentiles</i>, and how might we have rejoiced in the +fulfilling of that Prophecy, <i>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 shall be known amongst the</i> +Gentiles, <i>and their Offspring amongst the People: All that see them +shall acknowledge them, that they are the Seed which the Lord hath +blessed</i>, Isaiah lxi. 8, 9.</p> + +<p>But in the present State of Things, how contrary is this 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!</p> + +<p>How are the Sufferings of our blessed Redeemer set at nought, and his +Name blasphemed amongst the <i>Gentiles</i>, through the unrighteous +Proceedings of his profess'd Followers!</p> + +<p>My Mind hath 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.</p> + +<p>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; +this Work to me has been precious, and the Spreading the Knowledge of +the Truth amongst the <i>Gentiles</i> been very desirable. And the professed +Followers of Christ joining in Customs evidently unrighteous, which +manifestly tend to stir up Wrath, and increase Wars and Desolations, +hath often covered my Mind with Sorrow.</p> + +<p>If we bring this Matter home, and as <i>Job</i> proposed to his Friends, <i>Put +our Soul in their Soul's stead</i>, Job xvi. 4.</p> + +<p>If we consider ourselves and our Children as exposed to the Hardships +which these People lie under in supporting an imaginary Greatness.</p> + +<p>Did we in such Case behold 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 after us.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span></p> + +<p>Under all this Misery, had we none to plead our Cause, nor any Hope of +Relief from Man, how would our Cries ascend to the God of the Spirits of +all Flesh, who judgeth the World in Righteousness, and in his own Time +is a Refuge for the Oppressed!</p> + +<p>If they who thus afflicted us, continued to lay Claim to Religion, and +were assisted in their Business by others, esteemed pious People, who +through a Friendship with them strengthened their Hands in Tyranny.</p> + +<p>In such a State, when we were Hunger-bitten, and could not have +sufficient Nourishment but saw them in fulness pleasing their Taste with +Things fetched from far:</p> + +<p>When we were wearied with Labour, denied the Liberty to rest, and saw +them spending their Time at Ease: When Garments answerable to our +Necessities were denied us, while we saw them cloathed in that which was +costly and delicate:</p> + +<p>Under such Affliction, how would these painful Feelings rise up as +Witnesses against their pretended Devotion! And if the Name of their +Religion was mention'd in our Hearing, how would it sound in our Ears +like a Word which signified Self-exaltation, and Hardness of Heart!</p> + +<p>When a Trade is carried on, productive of much Misery, and they who +suffer by it are some Thousands Miles off, the Danger is the greater, of +not laying their Sufferings to Heart.</p> + +<p>In procuring Slaves on the Coast of <i>Africa</i>, many Children are stolen +privately; Wars also are encouraged amongst the Negroes, but all is at a +great Distance.</p> + +<p>Many Groans arise from dying Men, which we hear not.</p> + +<p>Many Cries are uttered by Widows and Fatherless Children, which reach +not our Ears.</p> + +<p>Many Cheeks are wet with Tears, and Faces sad with unutterable Grief, +which we see not.</p> + +<p>Cruel Tyranny is encouraged. The Hands of Robbers are strengthened, and +Thousands reduced to the most abject Slavery, who never injured us.</p> + +<p>Were we for the Term of one Year only to be an Eye-witness to what +passeth in getting these Slaves:</p> + +<p>Was the Blood which is there shed to be sprinkled on our Garments:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span></p> + +<p>Were the poor Captives bound with Thongs, heavy laden with Elephants +Teeth, to pass before our Eyes on their Way to the Sea:</p> + +<p>Were their bitter Lamentations Day after Day to ring in our Ears, and +their mournful Cries in the Night to hinder us from Sleeping:</p> + +<p>Were we to hear the Sound of the Tumult when the Slaves on board the +Ships attempt to kill the <i>English</i>, and behold the Issue of those +bloody Conflicts:</p> + +<p>What pious Man could be a Witness to these Things, and see a Trade +carried on in this Manner, without being deeply affected with Sorrow?</p> + +<p>Through abiding in the Love of Christ we feel a Tenderness 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 strength'ning +them in Error.</p> + +<p>It was the Command of the Lord through <i>Moses, Thou shalt not suffer Sin +upon thy Brother: Thou shalt in anywise rebuke thy Brother, and shalt +not suffer Sin upon him</i>, Lev. xix. 17.</p> + +<p>Again; <i>Keep far from a false Matter; and the Innocent and Righteous +slay thou not</i>, Exod. xxiii. 7.</p> + +<p>The Prophet <i>Isaiah</i> mentions Oppression as that which the true Church +in Time of outward Quiet should not only be clear of, but should be <i>far +from it</i>; <i>Thou shalt be far from Oppression</i>, Isaiah liv. 14. Now these +Words, <i>far from</i>, appear to have an extensive Meaning, and to convey +Instruction in regard to that of which <i>Solomon</i> speaks, <i>Though Hand +join in Hand, the Wicked shall not go unpunished</i>, Prov. xvi. 5.</p> + +<p>It was a Complaint against one of old, <i>When thou sawest a Thief, thou +consentedst with him</i>, Psal. l. 18.</p> + +<p>The Prophet <i>Jeremiah</i> represents the Degrees of Preparation toward +Idolatrous Sacrifice, in the Similitude of a Work carried on by +Children, Men, and Women: <i>The Children gather Wood, the Fathers kindle +the Fire, and the Women knead the Dough to bake Cakes for the Queen of +Heaven</i>, Jer. vii. 18.</p> + +<p>It was a complaint of the Lord against <i>Israel</i>, through<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span> his Prophet +<i>Ezekiel</i>, that <i>they strengthen'd the Hands of the Wicked, and made the +Hearts of the Righteous sad</i>, Ezek. xiii. 12.</p> + +<p>Some Works of Iniquity carried on by the People were represented by the +Prophet <i>Hosea</i>, in the Similitude of Ploughing, Reaping, and eating the +Fruit; <i>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>, Hosea x. 13.</p> + +<p>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 Traffick, carried on in impure Channels. +Great is the Trade to <i>Africa</i> for Slaves; and in loading these Ships +abundance of People are employ'd in the Manufactories.</p> + +<p>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, and this hath spread from less to more, till Superfluity +of some Kind is common amongst us.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>And 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> example in a plain frugal Life, +and pay Wages to such whom they may hire, more liberally than is now +customary in some Places.</p> + +<p>The Prophet, speaking of the true Church, said, <i>Thy People also shall +be all righteous.</i></p> + +<p>Of the Depth of this Divine Work several have spoken.</p> + +<p><i>John Gratton</i>, in his Journal, p. 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."</p> + +<p><i>Gilbert Latey</i>, 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 Visits to those great Men, he found a Place +in their Minds; and that King <i>James</i> the Second, in the Times of his +Troubles, made particular Mention in a very respectful Manner of what +<i>Gilbert</i> once said to him.</p> + +<p>The said <i>Gilbert</i> found a Concern to write an Epistle, in which are +these Expressions; "Fear the Lord, ye Men of all Sorts, Trades, and +Callings, and leave off all the Evil that is in them, for the Lord is +grieved with all the Evils used in your Employments which you are +exercised in.</p> + +<p>"It is even a Grief to see how you are Servants to Sin, and Instruments +of Satan." See his Works, Page 42, <i>etc.</i> <i>George Fox</i>, in an Epistle, +writes thus: "Friends, stand in the Eternal Power of God, Witness +against the Pomps and Vanities of this World.</p> + +<p>"Such Tradesmen who stand as Witnesses in the Power of God, cannot +fulfil the People's Minds in these Vanities, and therefore they are +offended at them.</p> + +<p>"Let all trust in the Lord, and wait patiently on him; for when Trust +first broke forth in <i>London</i>, many Tradesmen 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;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> yet by +their patient waiting on the Lord in their good Life and Conversation, +they answer'd the Truth in People's Hearts, and thus their Business +increased." Book of Doctrinals, Page 824.</p> + +<p>Now 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 respect different from +those which attended the Faithful in foregoing Ages, and through the +Constrainings of pure Love, are engaged to open the Feelings they have +to others.</p> + +<p>In faithfully following Christ, the Heart is weaned from the Desires 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 Allurements of that Gain, which we know is the Gain of +Unrighteousness.</p> + +<p>The Apostle speaking on this Subject, asketh this Question; <i>What +Fellowship hath Righteousness with Unrighteousness?</i> 2 Cor. vi. 14. And +again saith, <i>Have no Fellowship with the unfruitful Works of Darkness, +but rather reprove them</i>, Ephes. v. 11. Again, <i>Be not Partaker of other +Men's Sins, keep thyself pure</i>, 1 Tim. v. 22.</p> + +<p>Where People through the Power of Christ are thoroughly settled in a +right Use of Things, freed from all unnecessary Care and Expence, 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>It appeareth evident, that some Channels of Trade are defiled with +Unrighteousness, that the Minds of many are intent on getting Treasures +to support a Life, in which there are many unnecessary Expences.</p> + +<p>And I feel a living Concern attend my Mind, that under<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> 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 outwardly with clean Provender, that hath been winnowed with the +Shovel and the Fan, where we may <i>sow to ourselves in Righteousness, +reap in Mercy</i>, Hosea x. 12. and not be defiled with the Works of +Iniquity.</p> + +<p>Where Customs contrary to pure Wisdom are transmitted to Posterity, it +appears to be an Injury committed against them; and I often feel tender +Compassion toward a young Generation, and Desires that their +Difficulties may not be increased through Unfaithfulness in us of the +present Age.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER II</h3> + +<p class="center"><i>On a</i> <span class="smcap">Sailor's</span> LIFE</p> + + +<p>In the Trade to <i>Africa</i> 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.</p> + +<p>Now what pious Father beholding his Son placed in one of these Ships, to +learn the Practice of a Mariner, could forbear mourning over him?</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>But I feel it in my Mind to write concerning the Seafaring Life in +general.</p> + +<p>In the Trade carried on from the <i>West-Indies</i>, and from some Part of +the Continent, the Produce of the Labour of Slaves is a considerable +Part.</p> + +<p>And Sailors who are frequently at Ports where Slaves abound, and +converse often with People who oppress without the Appearance of +Remorse, and often with Sailors employ'd in the Slave Trade, how +powerfully do these evil Examples spread amongst the Seafaring Youth!</p> + +<p>I have had many Opportunities to feel and understand the general State +of the Seafaring Life amongst us, and my Mind hath often been sad on +Account of so many Lads and young Men been trained up amidst so great +Corruption.</p> + +<p>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 Nations 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.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> Fewer People would be +employed in Vanities and Superfluities.</p> + +<p>The Inhabitants of Cities would be less in Number.</p> + +<p>Those who have much Lands would become Fathers to the Poor.</p> + +<p>More People would be employed in the sweet Employment of Husbandry, and +in the Path of pure Wisdom, Labour would be an agreeable, healthful +Employment.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>He, our blessed Saviour, exhorting his Followers to love one another, +adds, <i>As I have loved you</i>. John xiii. 34.</p> + +<p>He loved <i>Lazarus</i>, yet in his Sickness 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.</p> + +<p>He loved his Disciples, but sent them forth on a Message attended with +great Difficulty, amongst Hard-hearted People, some of whom would think +that in killing them they did God Service.</p> + +<p>So deep is Divine Love, that in stedfastly abiding in it, we are +prepar'd to deny ourselves of all that Gain which is contrary to pure +Wisdom, and to follow Christ, even under Contempt, and through +Sufferings.</p> + +<p>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 +Superfluities, and spread by little and little, even among the foremost +Rank in Society, and from thence others took Liberty in that Way more +abundantly.</p> + +<p>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. And in striving to supply these Wants many +have exacted on the Poor, many have enter'd on Employments, in which +they often labour in upholding Pride and Vanity. Many have looked on one +another, been strengthen'd in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> these Things, one by the Example of +another, and as to the pure Divine Seeing, Dimness hath come over many, +and the Channels of true Brotherly Love been obstructed.</p> + +<p>People may have no intention to oppress, yet by entering on expensive +Ways of Life, their Minds may be so entangled therein, and so engag'd to +support expensive Customs, as to be estranged from the pure sympathizing +Spirit.</p> + +<p>As I have travell'd in <i>England</i>, 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.</p> + +<p>There is a Proportion between Labour and the Necessaries of Life, and in +true Brotherly Love the Mind is open to feel after the Necessities of +the Poor.</p> + +<p>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 Publick.</p> + +<p>Such who are strong and healthy may do that Business, which to the +Weakly may be oppressive; and in performing that in a Day which is +esteem'd a Day's Labour, by weakly Persons in the Field and in the +Shops, and by weakly Women who spin and knit in the Manufactories, they +often pass through Weariness; and many Sighs I believe are uttered in +secret, unheard by some who might ease their Burdens.</p> + +<p>Labour in the right Medium is healthy, but in too much of it there is a +painful Weariness; and the Hardships of the Poor are sometimes increased +through Want of a more agreeable Nourishment, more plentiful Fewel for +the Fire, and warmer Cloathing in the Winter than their Wages will +answer.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>There are few, if any, could behold their Fellow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> 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 heavy on the Poor, while they who live in these Customs are so +entangled in a Multitude of unnecessary Concerns that they think but +little of the Hardships which the poor People go through.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span></p> +<h3>CHAPTER III</h3> + +<p class="center"><i>On</i> <span class="smcap">Silent Worship</span></p> + + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>Great Expence ariseth in Relation to that which is call'd Divine +Worship.</p> + +<p>A considerable Part of this Expence is applied toward outward Greatness, +and many poor People in raising of Tithe, labour in supporting Customs +contrary to the Simplicity that there is in Christ, toward whom my Mind +hath often been moved with Pity.</p> + +<p>In pure silent Worship, we dwell under the Holy Anointing, and feel +Christ to be our Shepherd.</p> + +<p>Here the best of Teachers ministers to the several Conditions of his +Flock, and the Soul receives immediately from the Divine Fountain, that +with which it is nourished.</p> + +<p>As I have travelled at Times where those of other Societies have +attended our Meetings, and have perceiv'd how little some of them knew +of the Nature of silent Worship; I have felt tender Desires in my Heart +that we who often sit silent in our Meetings, may live answerable to the +Nature of an inward Fellowship with God, that no Stumbling-block through +us, may be laid in their Way.</p> + +<p>Such is the Load of unnecessary Expence which lieth on that which is +called Divine Service in many Places, and so much are the Minds of many +People employ'd in outward Forms and Ceremonies, that the opening of an +inward silent Worship in this Nation to me hath appeared to be a +precious Opening.</p> + +<p>Within the last four Hundred Years, many pious People have been deeply +exercised in Soul on Account of the Superstition which prevailed amongst +the professed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> Followers of Christ, and in support of their Testimony +against oppressive Idolatry, some in several Ages have finished their +Course in the Flames.</p> + +<p>It appears by the History of the Reformation, that through the +Faithfulness of the Martyrs, the Understandings of many have been +opened, and the Minds of People, from Age to Age, been more and more +prepared for a real spiritual Worship.</p> + +<p>My Mind is often affected with a Sense of the Condition of those People +who in different Ages have been meek and patient, following Christ +through great Afflictions: And while I behold the several Steps, of +Reformation, and that Clearness, to which through Divine Goodness, 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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="SOME_EXPRESSIONS_OF_JOHN_WOOLMAN_IN_HIS_LAST_ILNESS" id="SOME_EXPRESSIONS_OF_JOHN_WOOLMAN_IN_HIS_LAST_ILNESS"></a>SOME EXPRESSIONS OF JOHN WOOLMAN IN HIS LAST ILNESS.</h2> + + +<p class="center"><i>LONDON</i>:<br /> +Printed by <span class="smcap">Mary Hinde</span>.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span></p> +<h3>SOME EXPRESSIONS, &c.</h3> + + +<p>Being in the Course of his religious Visit at <i>York</i>, and having +attended most of the Sittings of the Quarterly-Meeting there, held in +the Ninth Month, 1772, he was taken ill of the <i>Small Pox</i>, in which +Disorder he continued about two Weeks, at Times under great Affliction +of Body, and then departed in full Assurance of a happy Eternity, as the +following Expressions, amongst others, taken from his own Mouth, do +plainly evidence.</p> + +<p>One Day 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." +Some Time after he said, "He was sensible the Pains of Death must be +hard to bear, but if he escaped them now, he must some Time pass through +them, and did not know he could be better prepared, but had no Will in +it." Said, "He had settled his outward Affairs to his Mind; 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 an Hope they will be provided +for." And a little after said, "This Trial is made easier than I could +have thought, by my Will being wholly taken away; for if I was anxious +as to the Event, it would be harder, but I am not, and my Mind enjoys a +perfect Calm."</p> + +<p>In the Night a young Woman having given him something to drink, he said, +"My Child, thou seemest very kind to me, a poor Creature, the Lord will +reward thee for it." A while after he cried out with great Earnestness +of Spirit, "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 replied, "My Child, I cannot tell what +to say to it:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> I seem nearly arrived where my Soul shall have Rest from +all its Troubles." After giving in something to be put into his Journal, +he said, "I believe the Lord will now excuse me from Exercises of this +Kind, and 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 whatever 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 come over his Mind +like a Whirlwind, yet it had hitherto been kept steady, and center'd in +everlasting Love." Adding, "And if that's mercifully continued, I ask +nor desire no more."</p> + +<p>At another Time he said, "He had long had a View of visiting this +Nation; and some Time before he came, he 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 <i>George +Fox</i> and <i>William Dewsbury</i>; and he saw the different States of People +as clear as ever he had seen Flowers in a Garden; but in his going on he +was suddenly stopt, though he could not see for what End, but looked +towards Home, and in that fell into a Flood of Tears, which waked him." +At another Time he said, "My Draught seem'd strongest to the North, and +I mentioned in my own Monthly-Meeting, that attending the +Quarterly-Meeting at <i>York</i>, and being there, looked like Home to me."</p> + +<p>Having repeatedly consented to take a Medicine with a View to settle his +Stomach, but without Effect, the Friend then waiting on him, said, +through Distress, "What shall I do now?" He answered with great +Composure, "Rejoice evermore, and in every Thing give Thanks." But added +a little after, "This is sometimes hard to come at."</p> + +<p>One Morning early he brake forth in Supplication on this wise; "Oh Lord! +it was thy Power that enabled me to forsake Sin in my Youth, and I have +felt thy<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> Bruises since for Disobedience, but as I bowed under them thou +healedst me; and though I have gone through many Trials and sore +Afflictions, thou hast been with me, continuing a Father and a Friend. I +feel thy Power now, and beg that in the approaching trying Moments, thou +wilt keep my Heart steadfast unto thee." Upon his giving the same Friend +Directions concerning some little Matters, she said, "I will take Care, +but hope thou mayst live to order them thyself;" he replied, "My Hope is +in Christ; and though I may now seem a little better, a Change in the +Disorder may soon happen, and my little Strength be dissolved, and if it +so happen, I shall be gather'd to my everlasting Rest." On her saying, +"She did not doubt that, but could not help mourning to see so many +faithful Servants removed at so low a Time," he said, "All Goodness +cometh from the Lord, whose Power is the same, and he can work as he +sees best." The same Day, after giving her Directions about wrapping his +Corpse, and perceiving her to weep, he said, "I had rather thou wouldst +guard against Weeping or Sorrowing for me, my Sister; I sorrow not, +though I have had some painful Conflicts; but now they seem over, and +Matters all settled, and I look at the Face of my dear Redeemer, for +sweet is his Voice, and his Countenance comely."</p> + +<p>Being very weak, and in general difficult to be understood, he uttered a +few Words in Commemoration of the Lord's Goodness to him; and added, +"How tenderly have I been waited upon in this Time of Affliction, in +which I may say in <i>Job's</i> Words, <i>Tedious Days and wearisome Nights are +appointed unto me</i>; 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 relieved by them, and their Distresses +at such a Time as this, in some degree softened by the administring of +suitable Things."</p> + +<p>An Apothecary who attended him of his own Accord (he being unwilling to +have any sent for) appeared very anxious to assist him, with whom +conversing, he queried about the Probability of such a Load of Matter +being thrown off his weak Body, and the Apothecary making<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> some Remarks, +implying he thought it might, he spoke with an audible Voice on this +wise: "My Dependance is in the Lord Jesus Christ, 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 trying to assist Nature, in order to +lengthen out my Life, I submit." After this, 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, being the 7th of the Tenth Month, +1772, 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 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 so expired without Sigh, Groan, or Struggle.</p> + +<hr style="width: 45%;" /> + +<p><i>Note</i>, He often said, "It was hid from him, whether he might recover, +or not, and he was not desirous to know it; but from his own Feeling of +the Disorder, and his feeble Constitution, thought he should not."</p> + + +<p class="center">FINIS</p> + +<p class="center">THE TEMPLE PRESS, PRINTERS, LETCHWORTH</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> When Crops fail. I often feel a tender Care that the Case +of poor Tenants may be mercifully considered.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> See a <i>Caution and Warning to Great Britain and her +Colonies</i> Page 31.</p></div> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + +<div class="figcenter"> +<img src="images/end.jpg" alt=""/> +</div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of John Woolman's Journal, by John Woolman + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOHN WOOLMAN'S JOURNAL *** + +***** This file should be named 37311-h.htm or 37311-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/3/1/37311/ + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Michael, Mary Meehan and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: John Woolman's Journal + +Author: John Woolman + +Commentator: Vida Scudder + +Release Date: September 4, 2011 [EBook #37311] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOHN WOOLMAN'S JOURNAL *** + + + + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Michael, Mary Meehan and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + + + EVERYMAN'S LIBRARY + + EDITED BY ERNEST RHYS + + + BIOGRAPHY + + + JOHN WOOLMAN'S JOURNAL + + WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY + VIDA D. SCUDDER + + +THE PUBLISHERS OF _EVERYMAN'S LIBRARY_ WILL BE PLEASED TO SEND FREELY TO +ALL APPLICANTS A LIST OF THE PUBLISHED AND PROJECTED VOLUMES TO BE +COMPRISED UNDER THE FOLLOWING TWELVE HEADINGS: + + + TRAVEL + SCIENCE + FICTION + THEOLOGY & PHILOSOPHY + HISTORY + CLASSICAL + FOR YOUNG PEOPLE + ESSAYS + ORATORY + POETRY & DRAMA + BIOGRAPHY + ROMANCE + + +IN TWO STYLES OF BINDING, CLOTH, FLAT BACK, COLOURED TOP, AND LEATHER, +ROUND CORNERS, GILT TOP. + + LONDON: J. M. DENT & SONS, LTD. + NEW YORK: E. P. DUTTON & CO. + +A GOOD BOOK IS THE PRECIOUS LIFE-BLOOD OF A MASTER SPIRIT EMBALMED & +TREASURED UPON PURPOSE TO A LIFE BEYOND LIFE--MILTON + + + + +THE JOURNAL _with other_ WRITINGS _of_ JOHN WOOLMAN + + + LONDON: PUBLISHED + by J. M. DENT & SONS LTD + AND IN NEW YORK + BY E. P. DUTTON & CO + + _All rights reserved_ + + + + +INTRODUCTION + + +From the days of Charles Lamb to those of Dr. Eliot of Harvard, the +unique charm and worth of the _Journal of John Woolman_ have been +signalled by a thinker of distinction here and there, and the book, if +not widely known, has quietly found its way to many hearts and been +reprinted in sundry editions. The more formal works, however, in which +this gentle and audacious eighteenth-century Quaker-preacher spoke out +his whole careful mind have been for the most part neglected. These +works are sometimes prosy, always indifferent to style in their +unflinching quest for "pure wisdom," often concerned with the dead issue +of negro slavery. Yet even in this last case they have much value as +historic documents; no full knowledge of Woolman's spirit is possible +without them; and not to know that spirit in its entirety is a distinct +loss. + +The present edition, while making no claim to critical completeness, +presents the main accessible body of Woolman's writings. Here is a well +of purest water, "dug deep," to use the Quaker phrase. The mere +limpidity of the water will be joy enough for some: others gazing into +it may feel that they see down to the proverbial Truth--the very origin +of things, the foundations of the moral universe. + +A studious moderation of utterance is the first quality to make itself +felt in Woolman's works. To casual or jaded readers who crave the +word-embroidery, the heightened note, of the romanticist in style, the +result may seem colourless. Here is a lack of adjectives, an entire +absence of emphasis, a systematic habit of under-statement that, in the +climax of a paragraph or the crisis of an emotion, seems at times almost +ludicrous. Yet to the reader of severer taste, this very absence of +emphasis, so quaintly sober, so sensitive in its unfaltering reticence, +becomes the choicest grace of Woolman's style. As is the style, so is +the man. Woolman "studied to be quiet," and his steady self-discipline +was rewarded by a scrupulous yet instinctive control over the finest +shades of verity in speech and life. In the youthful trouble of deep +religious feeling, when he "went to meetings," as he expressively tell +us, "in an awful frame of mind," he spoke a few words one day, under "a +strong exercise of spirit." "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 +anything." The mistake was not often repeated; for as he writes in +memorable words: "As I was thus humbled and disciplined under the Cross, +my understanding became more strengthened to distinguish the pure spirit +that inwardly moves upon the heart, and taught me to wait in silence, +sometimes for many weeks together, till I felt that rise which prepares +the creature to stand like a trumpet through which the Lord speaks to +His flock." A fine passage towards the end of the _Journal_ shows that +the danger of speaking without this "pure spirit" was ever present to +him. "Many love to hear eloquent orations, and if there is not a careful +attention 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 they +going from the Gift have kindled; and that in hearers which has gone +from the meek suffering state into the worldly wisdom, may be warmed +with this fire and speak highly of these labours. In this journey, a +labour hath attended my mind that the ministers amongst us may be +preserved in the meek, feeling life of truth." No man could so keenly +analyse the snare of fluency and popularity, who had not spent a life on +guard. The reserve of his writings is a natural consequence. One +searches these pages in vain, often controversial though they be, for a +single point in which the note is forced or emotion escapes control. + +Yet the emotional intensity concealed beneath this equable habit of +soul, is evident from the first line to the last. In the fine phrase of +the Friends after his death, Woolman "underwent many deep baptisms;" how +deep, the _Journal_ reveals. He was a man of impassioned tenderness. +Even as a child he saw "that as the mind is moved by an inward principle +to love God as an invisible, incomprehensible Being, so by the same +principle it is moved to love Him in all his manifestations in the +visible world. That as by his breath the flame of life has kindled in +all sensible creatures, to say that 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." Woolman did +not only say these things, he felt them. He is among the great lovers of +the world. His tenderness for animals was always keen, from the days in +which, as he has told us, he suffered childish remorse from having +killed a robin, to his last voyage, when in the midst of personal +suffering, he noted pityingly the dull and pining appearance of the +"dunghill fowls" on board. "I believe," he writes, "where the love of +God is verily perfected, a care will be felt that we do not lessen that +sweetness of life in the animal creation which the great Creator intends +for them under our government." + +He who so sympathised with the robin and the cock was filled with a +yearning compassion for the sorrows of humanity. Of him as of Shelley it +might well be said, "He was as a nerve o'er which do creep the else +unfelt oppressions of the earth." We read of his appetite failing +through the agitation of his mind over human pain and his relations to +it. In his last illness he broke forth in words that might have been +uttered by S. Catherine of Siena: "O 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-beings separated from +the divine harmony, and it was heavier than I could bear; I was crushed +down under it." All great lovers are great sufferers: Woolman was no +exception to the rule. + +If he knew deep sorrow he knew deep joy also, as all must do who like +him "live under the Cross and simply follow the operations of Truth." +More is unuttered than uttered in the _Journal_, yet through its +silences we may read an inner experience akin to that of Bunyan or +Pascal. Like these great protagonists of the Spirit, he knew a peace +given "not as the world giveth." For peace can be where ease is not. +Decorous son of an unillumined century, John Woolman is of the company +of the Mystics. He is of those led by the Shepherd of Souls beside the +still waters. He has suggested his own secret: "Some glances of real +beauty may be seen in their faces who dwell in true meekness. There is a +harmony in the 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 those who have not felt it; but this white stone and new +name are known rightly only to such as have them." "Pure" is the central +word of the _Journal_, and the beauty of pure contemplative quietude is +the final impression conveyed by this record so full of anguish over the +sorrows of humanity and of unflinching witness against wickedness, borne +at the expense of the crucifixion of the natural man. + + * * * * * + +A chief value of Woolman's works consists in his serene application of +his mystical intuitions to the affairs of this world. He who "dwelt deep +in an inward stillness" studied his age with a penetrating sagacity that +allowed no evasions. The man so carefully on his guard against +extravagance was a reformer who pushed his demands, as some would think, +almost beyond the border of sanity. No temper was ever more opposed to +fanaticism: yet many readers may question whether he escaped the doom of +the fanatic. And the most pertinent reason for a re-issue of his works +at this juncture is, that in our own day so many hearts are troubled +like his own. A generation seeking guidance on the path of social duty +will find here a precursor of Ruskin and Tolstoi, a man whose thought, +despite the quaintness of his diction, has a quite extraordinary +modernness, and whose searchings of conscience are none of them +familiar. + +The main contemporary issue that agitated Woolman was of course the +slave-trade, and he was long regarded all but exclusively as a herald of +the anti-slavery movement. But the Fabian Society did well to suggest, +in reprinting one of his tracts, the broader scope of his thinking. It +will be evident from this edition that his horror of chattel slavery was +one incident only in that general attitude toward civilisation which +drew from him the bitter cry: "Under a sense of deep revolt and an +overflowing stream of unrighteousness, my life has often been a life of +mourning." The central evil which he opposed was, in brief, the +exploitation of labour: the ideal which he sought was a society in which +no man should need to profit by the degradation of his fellow-men. For +economic analysis of the modern type one naturally looks in vain; moral +analysis of social relations has, however, rarely been carried farther. +These little essays "On Labour," "On the Right Use of the Lord's Outward +Gifts," "On Loving our Neighbour," these "Considerations on the True +Harmony of Mankind," this "Word of Remembrance and Caution to the Rich," +reveal through their quaint formalities of phrase a searching spirit not +to be outdone to-day. + +Woolman felt "a concern in the spring of pure love, that all who have +plenty of outward substance may example others in the right use of +things, may carefully look into the condition of poor people, and beware +of exacting of them in regard to their wages." He was solicitous, as +many have been since his day, over the perplexities of those who seek to +combine a due care for their own families with consideration for the +wage-earner, "in a fruitful land where the wages bear so small a +proportion to the necessaries of life." "There are few if any," he says +truly, "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 heavy +upon the poor, while they who live in these customs are so entangled in +a multitude of unnecessary concerns that they think but little of the +hardships the poor people go through." To lessen these "concerns," thus +to emancipate the labourer from a part of the crushing burden of +production, became his central thought. "In beholding that unnecessary +toil which many go through in supporting outward greatness, and +procuring delicacies; in beholding how the true calmness of life is +changed into hurry, and that many, by eagerly pursuing outward treasure, +are in danger of withering as to the inward state of the mind; in +meditating on the works of this spirit, and the desolations it makes +among the professors of Christianity, I may thankfully acknowledge that +I often feel pure love beget longings in my mind for the exaltation of +the peaceable Kingdom of Christ, and an engagement to labour according +to the Gift bestowed upon me for promoting an humble, plain, temperate +way of living." + +The Simple Life is then Woolman's plea, and the necessity for social +sacrifice the burden of his teaching. This plea he presents with no +vagueness or Wagnerian sentimentality, but with an alarming precision of +outline. + +No man ever described better the insensible growth of worldly convention +into that custom which "lies upon us with a weight heavy as frost and +deep almost as life." Noting the gradual lapse of the Friends from their +earlier standards of unworldliness, he says: "These things, though done +in calmness without any show of disorder, do yet deprave the mind in +like manner and with as great certainty as prevailing cold congeals +water." And again, "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, till a departure from +the simplicity that is in Christ becomes as distinguishable as light +from darkness to such who are crucified to the world." So the +generations as they pass slip further and further from "pure wisdom," +for "the customs of their parents, and their neighbours, working upon +their minds, and they from thence conceiving 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." Woolman is too +wise to feel resentment against those so hardened; rather he says, +"Compassion hath filled my heart toward my fellow-creatures involved in +customs, grown up in the wisdom of this world, which is foolishness with +God." + +To his own spirit, we may well apply the description in the little essay +on "Merchandising," of the growing sensitiveness among the faithful +friends of Christ, who "inwardly breathe that His Kingdom may come on +earth" and "learn to be very attentive to the means He may appoint for +promoting pure righteousness." His ideal is "that state in which Christ +is the Light of our life," so that "our labours stand in the true +harmony of society." "In this state," he writes, "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." When we consider the deepening +desire in our own day to lessen for the next generation that intolerable +burden of social compunction which rests upon ourselves, may we perhaps +dare to hope that this blessed "state," in which John Woolman himself +constantly abode, is becoming common? + +The definite issues suggested in these pages are often surprisingly +modern. Now the fine old Quaker is perturbed over the question of +tainted money: "Have the gifts and possessions received by me from +others been conveyed in a way free from all unrighteousness so far as I +have seen?" Now he notes the evils of over-work: "I have observed that +too much labour not only makes the understanding dull, but so intrudes +upon the harmony of the body that, after ceasing from our toil, we have +another to pass through before we can enjoy the sweetness of rest," and +proceeds to plead with energy for mercy and moderation in the standard +of toil exacted from the poor. "The condition of many who dwell in +cities," had "affected him with brotherly sympathy." Again we find him +touching on the problem of dangerous trades, or analysing with the +puzzle of the pioneer the ancient fallacy that the production of +luxuries relieves economic distress--a fallacy to which he gives in +quaint phrase a sound refutal. In the fifth chapter of the "Word of +Remembrance," the interested reader will find a remarkable and very +beautiful prophecy of the central principle of the settlement movement. +And so we might go on. + +In the twelfth century Woolman's solution would probably have been found +in withdrawal from the evil world to the purity of desert or convent. +Not so in the eighteenth. He remained among his brethren, bearing on his +heart the burden of the common guilt: he was one of the first people to +perceive that the moral sense must control not only our obvious but also +our hidden relations with our fellows. And his experience may be said to +mark the exact point where the individualism of the Puritan age broke +down, unable to stand the strain of the growing sense of social +solidarity. The intense but often naively self-centred conception of the +religious life common to a Bunyan and an Edwardes had proved inadequate, +and a new demand for an extension of Christianity to the remotest +reaches of practical life, till human society be transformed in its +depth and its breadth by a supernatural power, was consciously born. + +Yet if Woolman's problem be social, his solution is individualistic. It +is found in a resolute endeavour to clear his own life of any dependence +on evil. Among the many experiments on the same lines, none more +thorough-going is recorded; he pushed consistency to a farther point +than Tolstoi or Thoreau. It is the story of this experiment that he +tells us in the _Journal_, with a rare sincerity. See him as a lad, +starting out peaceably at his trade of tailor, easily reaching +commercial success--for Woolman possessed practical ability,--but +"perceiving merchandise to be attended with much cumber," and deciding +accordingly not to develop his business. Watch from this time the +interaction of two co-operating forces, a craving for personal purity, +and a horror of profiting by human pain,--and note that while the first +impulse never waned, the second became more and more constraining. The +record of his various "concerns" is delightfully human and appealing. He +hated to be morally fussy, and the necessity of violating good breeding +at the call of conscience caused him acute distress, for he had an +ingrained instinct of good manners. Yet though "the exercise was heavy," +he bravely took his elders to task on occasion: refused to accept free +hospitality from slave-holders, forcing money on them for his +entertainment; and, what is still harder, laboured with his friends. +"Thou who travels in the work of the ministry, and art made very welcome +by thy friends, it is good for thee to dwell deep that thou mayest feel +and understand the spirits of people.... 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 disqualified by a superficial friendship.... 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." A man, sensitive, humble, and +well-bred as Woolman evidently was, who can write thus, is pretty sure +to know "deep exercises that are mortifying to the creaturely will." +Some of his concerns, as those relating to the payment of taxes and the +entertainment of soldiers, were common to the Friends; others are +apparently inventions of his own. As time went on they increased and +multiplied, all practically springing from the common root, the desire +to avoid the oppression of the poor. Greed and the wish for ease came to +seem a root of all evil. Travelling among the Indians, he felt the +intimate relation of their misfortunes to the hunger of the English race +for luxury and land. The use of dyes harmful to the worker forced him to +wear undyed garments, even though to his meek distress a passing fashion +of white hats made him run the danger of being confounded with the +children of this world. A concern came upon him to go on foot in his +preaching journeys: at first apparently that he might, like his Master, +appear in the form of a servant; later, that he might have no complicity +in the miseries suffered by the little post-boys employed in the +chaises. Nothing is clearer to the reader of the _Journal_ than the +rapid increase of this holy or foolish sensitiveness. Seeking not to +trade with oppressors, he refuses to gratify his palate with sugars +prepared by the slave labour: under inward pressure to visit the West +Indies, he has anxious scruples about taking passage on a ship owned by +the West India Company, but decides that he may do so if he pays a sum +sufficiently larger than that demanded to compensate the labour involved +on another basis than that of slavery. At last--and here the crisis of +his experience draws near--he feels himself inwardly bound to go to +England; and decides that it is his duty to travel in the steerage, +because forsooth the adornments of the cabin have cost vain and +degrading labour. The horrors of a steerage passage in those days are +well known to us from other sources; and among our visions of the +martyrs of Truth we may well preserve the picture of John Woolman, his +patient Quaker face upturned at midnight through the hatch, panting for +a breath of air. Through the studied quiet of the narrative, the +shrinking of the flesh can plainly be felt. The whole story at this +point palpitates with a solemn pain and an exceeding peace. As usual, +the sufferings of others form the larger part of his pain: he is wracked +with sympathy for the sailors, and moved to a grieved indignant study of +their temptations and afflictions which is good reading still to-day. +Arrived in England, his experience deepens. As usual, he writes without +emphasis: but his distress and tenderness are in every line. In a +passage that reads as if penned by Engels or Rowntree, he makes careful +pitying note of the scale of wages and cost of living, and cries out +sharply, "Oh, may the wealthy consider the poor! May those who have +plenty lay these things to heart!" We perceive that he is realising with +increasing perplexity the extraordinary intricacy with which "the spirit +of oppression" is entwined with the most innocent and necessary +pursuits. "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' so to direct us in our outward employments +that pure universal love may shine forth in our proceedings." In +"bowedness of spirit" he proceeds northward, and it is evident that the +body is growing weaker as he makes his silent laborious way on foot, +bearing from town to town the message of his Lord. He is offered to +drink when thirsty, in silver vessels, and declines, "telling his case +with weeping." Disgusted, "being but weakly," with "the scent arising +from that filth which more or less infects the air of all closely +settled towns," he feels distress both in body and mind with that which +is impure, and a longing "that people might come in to cleanness of +spirit, cleanness of person, and cleanness about their houses and +garments:" noting at the same time, with his accustomed sagacity, that +"some who are great carry delicacy to a great height themselves, and yet +real cleanliness is not generally promoted." So continues his travail of +soul, recorded in these pathetic and illumined pages, and before long +the fatal disorder, small-pox, seizes upon him. He dies among strangers +after lying patiently through his illness in the spirit of prayer, still +saying characteristically to the young apothecary Friend with whom he +had "found a freedom to confer," "that if anything should be proposed as +to medicine that did not come through defiled channels or oppressive +hands, he should be willing to consider and take it so far as he found +freedom." Almost his last words, when already he could hardly be +understood, are charged with his steady social compunction. + +Dear John Woolman! Pure and high spirit, incapable of evasion, +noteworthy no less for restraint and gentleness than for the resolute +determination to translate the undimmed vision of the Perfect Right into +terms of our daily existence! Whither would his "concerns" have carried +him, had not the Angel of Small-Pox ended his wistful and unrelenting +quest? He died in 1772, having lived his life before the industrial +revolution, in days which we are wont to envy as simpler and less beset +by social problems than our own. Certainly they were days in which the +network of human relations was far less intricate than now. Yet the +process in which he was engaged reached out to limits beyond our power +to scan, and his experience is in one point of view an heroic _reductio +ad absurdum_. No more instructive attempt was ever made to attain +personal purity while neither withdrawing from the world nor +transforming it. To-day the number is on the increase of persons who +suffer under the sense of social guilt. All who know such suffering and +are inclined to think the conversion of individuals adequate as an +ultimate remedy, will do well to ponder these pages. For the conclusion +is forced on us that Woolman was in an _impasse_: and while we love and +reverence the heavenly sturdiness of soul possessed by this +eighteenth-century saint, we must recognise with amusement touched by +tenderness the hopelessness of his efforts to attain personal purity, +the ridiculous extremes of isolation into which such a conscientious +effort, if logically carried out, would lead us. The definite inference +from Woolman's life and thought will be for most modern people the +conviction of the hopelessness of the attempt to achieve, by individual +means and private effort, a satisfying social righteousness in an +unchanged world. + +After all, Woolman's trouble and sorrow and tumult of spirit, so +suggestive, so helpful to modern souls, were transitory. At the heart of +his "endless agitation" subsisted a "central peace." His was the grace +to know that "deep humility is a strong bulwark," and to "look less at +the effects of the labour than at the pure motion and reality of the +concern." The gentleness with which he delivered his fiery message was +more than a manner due to Quaker training, or even than a result of +resolute self-discipline: it was the index of an inward stillness in +which his soul dwelt undisturbed. Let us hope that the days may come +when the "concern" about profiting by the painful or degrading labour of +others will have an interest as exclusively historic as the "concern" +about holding slaves has already attained. Tremulously it may be, yet +soberly and joyously, many clear-minded and practical people are +beginning to hope for such a day. When it comes, the immediate message +of Woolman will be less cogent, but he will still continue to be read by +those who care for the revelations of a beautiful soul. These pages +offer more than light on the path of social duty; they offer fellowship +with a spirit that "dwelt deep," and attained an abiding loveliness +because responsive through all turmoil of spirit and all outward +suffering, to the "gentle movings of Uncreated Purity." "That purity of +life," wrote he, "which proceeds from faithfulness in following the +Spirit of Truth, 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 disordereth and confuseth the affairs of +society." Such a "place of retirement for the Children of the Light," +this book affords. + +VIDA D. SCUDDER. + + + + +BIBLIOGRAPHY + + +Some Considerations on the Keeping of Negroes, recommended to the +Professors of Christianity of every Denomination, Part I., 1754; Part +II., 1762; many later issues of both parts; Considerations on Pure +Wisdom and Human Policy, on Labour, Schools, and the Right Use of the +Lord's Outward Gifts, 1768, and numerous later reprints; Considerations +on the True Harmony of Mankind, and how it is to be Maintained, 1770, +and later reprints; an Epistle to the Quarterly and Monthly Meetings of +Friends, 1772; Remarks on Sundry Subjects, 1773, and later reprints; +Serious Considerations on Various Subjects of Importance (containing the +four above works, and some expressions of John Woolman in his last +illness), 1773; A First Book for Children, 1774 (?); A Journal of the +Life, Gospel, Labours, and Christian Experiences of John Woolman, 1774, +and many later editions; with Introduction by John Greenleaf Whittier, +1871; with Introduction by A. Smellie, and Appreciation by J. G. +Whittier (Books of the Heart), 1898; new century edition, with +bibliography, etc., 1900; with foreword by Rev. R. J. Campbell, 1903; A +Word of Remembrance and Caution to the Rich, 1793; later editions, +published by Fabian Society, 1898, 1908. + +LETTERS: Edited by J. Kendall (Letters on Religious Subjects, vol. ii.), +1820; by J. and I. Comly (_Friends' Miscellany_, vol. i.), 1834; in +_Journal_, and in _Friends' Review_, vols. v.-xxviii. + +WORKS: 1774; 5th edition, 1818. + +LIFE: Saint John Woolman (_Eclectic Review_), 1861; David Duncan, +paper read at Manchester Friends' Institute, 1871; Dora Greenwell, +1871; W. Garrett Horder, A Quaker Saint (_The Young Man_), 1874; +reprinted in Quaker Worthies, 1896; T. Green, 1885, with Introduction by +H. C. G. Moule, 1897; Sketch of the Life of John Woolman (Booklet +Series, No. 6), 1896; in Present Day Papers, vol. iii., 1900; a poem by +Bernard Barton, "A Tribute to the Memory of John Woolman," appeared in +vol. iii. of _The Friend_, and references to Woolman are found in Lamb, +and in H. Crabb Robinson's Diary. + + + + +CONTENTS + + + ADVERTISEMENT TO THE READER 3 + + THE TESTIMONY OF FRIENDS IN YORKSHIRE 5 + + A TESTIMONY OF THE MONTHLY-MEETING OF FRIENDS 9 + + A JOURNAL OF THE LIFE AND TRAVELS OF JOHN WOOLMAN 17 + + THE LAST EPISTLE AND OTHER WRITINGS 159 + + CONSIDERATIONS ON THE TRUE HARMONY OF MANKIND 177 + + AN EPISTLE TO THE QUARTERLY AND MONTHLY-MEETINGS OF + FRIENDS 203 + + REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS 219 + + SOME EXPRESSIONS OF JOHN WOOLMAN IN HIS LAST ILLNESS 245 + + + + +THE JOURNAL + + + + +ADVERTISEMENT TO THE READER + + +The manuscript JOURNAL of our late Friend JOHN WOOLMAN, was ended in +_England_; where he also finished all his Labours. It appears, by a +Letter which he sent, in his last Illness, to a Friend in _London_, that +he did not intend the whole should be printed, and that he desired the +said Friend to revise what he had written in this Nation, and leave out +such Parts as he should think proper. It was, notwithstanding, sent +entire, without any Alteration, to _America_; where it was soon after +printed, together with several Tracts which had been published in his +Life-time. But, as some Passages in the Journal contain Observations +which appear to have been intended as private Memorandums only, and +others relate to Circumstances which happened in his native Country, not +expedient to be preserved on Record in this Nation, it is apprehended +that the following ABRIDGEMENT of it will be acceptable to Friends, and +may be of general Service; and, as many weighty Arguments and pertinent +Advices, relative to Slavery and the Oppression of the Negroes in the +Plantations, are contained in the Journal, it was therefore apprehended +that two small Tracts on that Subject might be omitted in this +Abridgement. + + + + +THE TESTIMONY OF FRIENDS IN YORKSHIRE + +_At their Quarterly-meeting held at York, the 24th 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 7th 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 in full Concurrence and near Sympathy +with his Friends and Brethren at home, as appeared by Certificates 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_ the beginning of the last +Yearly-meeting, and, after attending that Meeting, travelled northward, +visiting the Quarterly-meetings of _Hertfordshire_, _Buckinghamshire_, +_Northamptonshire_, _Oxfordshire_, and _Worcestershire_, and divers +particular Meetings in his Way. + +He visited many Meetings on the West Side of this County; also some in +_Lancashire_ and _Westmorland_; from whence he came to our +Quarterly-meeting in the last ninth Month; and though much out of +Health, yet was enabled to attend all the Sittings of that Meeting +except the last. + +His Disorder, then, which proved the Small-pox, increased speedily upon +him, and was very afflicting; under which he was supported in much +Meekness, 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 he +broke forth thus: + +"O 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, and 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, 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 shewed to us in the +most affecting Example of thy Son, and 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 in Print. + +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 Baptisms, he became thereby sanctified and fitted for +the Lord's Work, and was truly serviceable in his Church: 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 toward the City +of God: Skilful in dividing the Word, he was furnished by Him, in whom +are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom 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 Circumspection and +Attention to the Guidance of divine Wisdom, which rendered his whole +Conversation uniformly edifying. + +He was fully perswaded that as the Life of Christ comes to reign in the +Earth, all Abuse and unnecessary Oppression, both of the human and brute +Creation, will come to an End; but, under the Sense of a deep Revolt and +overflowing Stream of Unrighteousness, his Life has been 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 Account, we understand he hath not only written +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 his 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 miserable 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 before 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 we may, as way may open, +represent their Sufferings, in an Individual, if not a Society Capacity, +to those in Authority. + +Deeply sensible that the Desire to gratify People's Inclinations in +Luxury and Superfluities is the principal Ground of Oppression, and the +Occasion of many unnecessary 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 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 Standard 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 confuseth the Affairs of +Society, and where we may have a Testimony of our Innocence 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 infinite Wisdom, he hath greatly stripped the Church, by removing +of late divers faithful Ministers and Elders, he may be pleased to send +forth many more faithful Labourers into his Harvest. + +_Signed in, by Order, and on Behalf of, said Meeting_: + + THOMAS BENNETT, + JOHN STORR, + JOSEPH EGLIN, + THOMAS PERKINSON, + JOSEPH WRIGHT, + SAMUEL BRISCOE, + JOHN TURNER, + JOSHUA ROBINSON, + THOMAS PRIESTMAN, and + divers other Friends. + + + + +A TESTIMONY OF THE MONTHLY-MEETING OF FRIENDS + +_Held in_ Burlington, _the first 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 _Burlington_, 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 esteemed a Blessing to him, even in his young Years, tending to +preserve him from the Infection of wicked Children; but, through the +Workings of the Enemy, and 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 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 evident by his +Visits to them; whom he frequently relieved 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 suffering 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 Almighty +with a degree of Confidence, for his Interposition and Relief; being +particularly careful, as to himself, 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, 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 Pollutions, but those +also which, appearing in a more refined Dress, are not sufficiently +guarded against by some well-disposed People. In the latter Part of his +Life he was remarkable 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 believed himself called unto, and was favoured +with Peace therein, although it carried the Appearance of great +Austerity 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 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 +were truly great, recommending to Parents and those who have the Charge +of them, to chuse conscientious and pious Tutors, saying, "It is a +lovely Sight to behold innocent Children," and that "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 others, especially the Youth, not to be discouraged +at the Difficulties which occur, but 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 private Way in that Plainness which Truth dictates, +shewing great Tenderness and _Christian_ Forbearance. He was a constant +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 Concurrence of the +Monthly-meeting to which he belonged, and, we have Reason to believe, +had good Service therein, generally 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 +Observations and Reflections. "As looking over the Minutes, made by +Persons 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 +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 Meeting that he 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 Meeting in that City. During his short Visit to Friends in that +Kingdom, we are informed that his Services were acceptable and edifying. +In his last Illness he uttered many lively and comfortable Expressions, +being "perfectly resigned, 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 Friend, _Thomas Priestman_, he died +of the Small-pox, on the seventh Day of the tenth Month, 1772, and was +buried in Friends Burying-ground in that City, on the ninth of the same, +after a large and solid Meeting held on the Occasion at their great +Meeting-house, aged near fifty-two Years; a Minister upwards of +thirty Years, during which Time he belonged to _Mount-Holly_ +Particular-meeting, 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 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_. + + + + +A JOURNAL OF THE LIFE, GOSPEL-LABOURS, AND CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCES, OF +THAT FAITHFUL MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST, + +JOHN WOOLMAN; + +Late of MOUNT-HOLLY, in the Province of NEW-JERSEY. + +ISAIAH xxxii. 17. + + "The Work of Righteousness shall be Peace; and the Effect of + Righteousness, Quietness and Assurance for ever." + + LONDON: + Printed and sold by JAMES PHILLIPS, in + George-Yard, Lombard-Street. + + M.DCC.LXXV. + + + + +A JOURNAL OF THE LIFE AND TRAVELS OF JOHN WOOLMAN, IN THE SERVICE OF THE +GOSPEL + + +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_--_And his Considerations, while young, on the keeping of + 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 22d Chapter of the _Revelations_: "He shewed me a pure River of +Water of Life, clear as Chrystal, proceeding out of the Throne of God +and of the Lamb, _etc._" 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 that 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, People 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 Firmness, 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 expressed 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, as having, in a sportive Way, killed an innocent Creature while +she was careful for her Young: I beheld her lying dead, and thought +these 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-proverb 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 Principle in the human +Mind, which incites to exercise Goodness towards every living Creature; +and this being singly attended to, People become tender hearted and +sympathising; 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 +Wickedness, I felt Remorse in my Mind, and, getting home, I retired 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 prophane Language, or +scandalous Conduct, still I perceived a Plant in me which produced much +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 Backslidings 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 was more +and more alienated from the Truth, and I hastened toward Destruction. +While I meditate on the Gulph towards which I travelled, and reflect on +my youthful Disobedience, for these Things I weep, mine Eyes run down +with Water. + +Advancing in Age, the Number of my Acquaintances increased, and thereby +my Way grew more difficult; though I had found Comfort in reading the +holy Scriptures, and thinking on heavenly Things, I was now estranged +therefrom: I knew I was going from the Flock of Christ, and had no +Resolution to return; hence serious Reflections were uneasy to me, and +youthful Vanities and Diversions my greatest Pleasure. Running in this +Road I found many like myself; and we associated in that which is the +reverse of 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 was +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 Contrition; and in the multitude of his Mercies I found inward +Relief, and felt a close Engagement, that, if he was pleased to restore +my Health, I might walk humbly before him. + +After my Recovery, this Exercise remained with me a considerable Time; +but, by Degrees, giving Way to youthful Vanities, they gained Strength, +and, getting with wanton young People, I lost Ground. The Lord had been +very gracious, and spoke 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. I was not so hardy as to commit Things scandalous; +but to exceed in Vanity, and promote Mirth, was my chief Study. Still I +retained a Love 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 once, having spent a Part of +the Day in Wantonness, as I went to Bed at Night, there lay in a Window, +near my Bed, a Bible, which I opened, and first cast my Eye on this +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 Conscience; +which I soon cast off again. + +Thus Time passed on: My Heart was replenished with Mirth and Wantonness, +and 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 again, Sorrow and Confusion took hold of me. 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 remember 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 Desarts and lonely +Places, and there, with Tears, did confess my Sins to God, and humbly +craved Help of him. And I may say with Reverence, he was near to me in +my Troubles, and in those Times of Humiliation 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 Instructions 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. + +I kept steadily to Meetings; spent First-day Afternoons chiefly in +reading the Scriptures and other good Books; and was early convinced in +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 was moved, by an inward Principle, to love +God as an invisible incomprehensible Being, by the same Principle it was +moved to love him in all his Manifestations in the visible World.--That, +as by his Breath the Flame of Life was kindled in all animal sensible +Creatures, to say we love God, and, at the same Time exercise Cruelty +toward the least Creature, 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 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 it, nor any Means to convey to another a clear Idea of it. I looked +on 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 increased in me: This will be understood by such as +have trodden 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 +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 shew forth that inward Life to +such as have not felt it: But this white Stone and new Name is known +rightly to such only as have it. + +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 +withdrew 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-keeping 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 Prospect of being much in +the Way of Company, I felt frequent and fervent Cries in my Heart to +God, the Father of Mercies, that he would preserve me from all +Corruption; that in this more publick 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 +employed 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 after my Settlement here I was visited by +several young People, my former Acquaintance, who knew not but Vanities +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 Difficulties, and had fresh Occasion to bewail the +Follies of Time past, in contracting a Familiarity with libertine +People; 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_, +Servants, from on-board a Vessel, and brought them to _Mount-Holly_ to +sell; one of which 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, 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 expecting me as one of +their Company; and I began to be known to some whose Conversation was +helpful to me: And now, 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 Compassion for the Youth, who remained +entangled in Snares, like those which had entangled me from one Time to +another: 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 that 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 thankful 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: +And, 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 that rise which prepares the +Creature. + +From an inward purifying, and stedfast abiding under it, springs a +lively operative Desire for the Good of others: All the Faithful are not +called to the public Ministry; 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 +Conditions of others. + +This Truth was clearly fixed in my Mind; and I was 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 worldly +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 Support; 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 Business no farther, than as Truth opened my Way therein. + +About the Time called _Christmas_, I observed many People from the +Country, and Dwellers in Town, who, resorting to Public-Houses, spent +their Time in drinking and vain 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 incumbent 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 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 Company, I went to him, and told him, I wanted to speak +with him; so we went aside, and there, in the Fear of the Almighty, I +expressed to him what rested on my Mind; which he took kindly, and +afterward shewed 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 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; but, at the executing 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 have been excused from it, as a Thing +against my Conscience; for such it was. And, 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 to his Wife, he had accepted of her. + + +CHAPTER II + + _His first Journey, on a religious Visit, into_ East-Jersey, _in + Company with_ ABRAHAM FARRINGTON--_His Thoughts on merchandizing, + and his learning a Trade_--_His second Journey, with_ ISAAC ANDREWS, + _into_ Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, _and_ North Carolina--_His + third Journey, with_ PETER ANDREWS, _through Part of_ West _and_ + East-Jersey--_Some Account of his Sister_ ELIZABETH, _and her + Death_--_His fourth Journey, with_ PETER ANDREWS, _through_ New-York + _and_ Long-Island, _to_ New-England--_And his 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 Province, and having no Companion, +he proposed to me to go with him; and, after a Conference with some +elderly Friends, I agreed to go: We set out the fifth Day of the ninth +Month, in the Year 1743; 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 many People came, amongst +whom were several Members of the Assembly, they being in Town on 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 +_Woodbridge_, _Raway_, and _Plainfield_; and had six or seven Meetings +in Places where Meetings of Friends 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; and, when I spake, it was with much Care, that I might +speak only what Truth opened: 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 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, 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; as believing the Business +proposed would be attended with more outward Care than 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 Taylor, 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 Employer, and +we soon agreed on Terms; and then, when I had Leisure from the Affairs +of Merchandize, I worked with his Man. I believed the Hand of Providence +pointed out this Business for me; and was taught to be content 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 deep 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 Neighbours; and, soon after this, he left +shop-keeping, and we parted. I then wrought at my Trade, as a Taylor; +carefully 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_; and, being thoughtful about a Companion, I expressed it to +my beloved Friend, ISAAC ANDREWS, who then told me that he had Drawings +to the same Places; also to go through _Maryland_, _Virginia_, and +_Carolina_. After considerable Time past, 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 twelfth 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 together in his Service. Then we crossed the River +_Susquehannah_, and had several Meetings in a new Settlement, called the +_Red-Lands_; the oldest of which, as I was informed, did not exceed ten +Years. It is the poorer Sort of People that commonly begin to improve +remote Desarts: 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 sympathise with them in +their Hardships in the Wilderness; 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 enlarged 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 _Monoquacy_, _Fairfax_, _Hopewell_, and _Shanando_, and +had Meetings; some of which were comfortable and edifying. From +_Shanando_ 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 the next +Day to part with him; and did so. In two Days after, we reached to our +Friend _John Cheagle's_, in _Virginia_; so we took the Meetings in our +Way through _Virginia_; were, in some Degree, baptized into a feeling +Sense of the Conditions of the People; and our Exercise 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 Encouragement and the +Refreshment of the sincere-hearted. We 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. So we turned again to _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 journeying 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 _Patowmac_, 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 honestly as Way +opened, in the Love of Truth: And thence taking sundry Meetings in our +Way, we passed homeward; where, through the Favour of divine Providence +we reached the sixteenth Day of the sixth Month, in the Year 1746; and I +may say that, through the Assistance of the Holy Spirit, 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 ate, drank, and lodged at 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 of the Burthen, and lived frugally, so +that their Servants 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; this +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, was frequently the Subject of my +serious Thoughts: And I saw in these southern Provinces so many Vices +and Corruptions, increased by this Trade and this Way of Life, that it +appeared to me as a Gloom over the Land; and though now many willingly +run into it, yet, in future, the Consequence will be grievous to +Posterity: I express it as it hath appeared to me, not at once nor +twice, but as a Matter fixed on my Mind. + +Soon after my Return Home, I felt an increasing Concern for Friends on +our Sea-coast; and, on the eighth 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, +we set forward, and visited Meetings generally about _Salem_, _Cape +May_, _Great_ and _Little Egg-Harbour_; and had Meetings at _Barnagat_, +_Mannahocking_, and _Mane-Squan_, and so to the Yearly-meeting at +_Shrewsbury_. 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 with our dear Friends +MICHAEL LIGHTFOOT and ABRAHAM FARRINGTON, who had good Service there. + +The Winter following my eldest Sister, ELIZABETH WOOLMAN, jun. died of +the Small-pox, aged thirty-one Years. She was, from her Youth, of a +thoughtful Disposition; and very compassionate to her Acquaintance 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 strengthened to live a self-denying +exemplary Life, giving herself much to Reading and Meditation. + +The following Letter may shew, in some Degree, her Disposition. + + HADDONFIELD, _1st Day, 11th Month_, 1743. + + Beloved Brother, JOHN WOOLMAN,--In that Love which desires the + Welfare of all Men, I write unto thee: I received thine, dated + second Day of the tenth Month last, with which I was comforted. My + Spirit is bowed with Thankfulness that I should be remembered, who + am unworthy; but the Lord is full of Mercy, and his Goodness is + extended to the meanest of his Creation; therefore, in his infinite + Love, he hath pitied, and spared, and shewed 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, + ELIZ. WOOLMAN, jun. + +In the fore Part of her Illness she was in great Sadness and Dejection +of Mind, of which she told one of her intimate Friends, and said, When I +was a young Girl I was wanton and airy, but I thought I had thoroughly +repented of it; and added, I have of late had great Satisfaction in +Meetings. Though she was thus disconsolate, still she retained a Hope, +which was as an Anchor to her: And sometime 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 dangerous, 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 accordingly 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 as a Fountain of +Tears, that I might weep Day and Night, until acquainted with my God. + +II. O 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. O Lord, that I may be acquainted with thy Presence, 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, having obtained Certificates from our +Monthly-meeting, set forward on the sixteenth 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 _England_, JOHN GRIFFITH, JANE +HOSKINS, and ELIZBETH HUDSON, from _Pennsylvania_, and JACOB ANDREWS, +from _Chesterfield_. Several of whom were favoured in their publick +Exercise; 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 Mercies of God we 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 Testimony; but +it was I believe, a good Meeting: At the latter, 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 +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 in 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, 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 stedfast to that inward Convincement, they were made +a Blessing to some of their former Companions; so that, through the +Power of Truth, several were brought into a close Exercise concerning +the eternal Well-being of their Souls. These young People continued for +a Time to frequent their publick Worship; and, besides that, had +Meetings of their own; which Meetings were a while allowed by their +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 as stood firm to their Duty, as it was inwardly manifested, +had many Difficulties to go through. And their Meetings were in a while +dropped; some of them returning to the _Presbyterians_; and others of +them, after a Time, joined our religious Society. I had Conversation +with some of the latter, to my Help and Edification; and believe several +of them are acquainted 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 _Connecticut_, chiefly inhabited by _Presbyterians_, who +were generally civil to us; 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 to _Boston_; and proceeded eastward as far as _Dover_; and 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 near a +Week; and from thence came over to _Dartmouth_: And having finished our +Visit in these Parts, we crossed the _Sound_ from _New-London_ to +_Long-Island_; and, taking some Meetings on the Island, proceeded +homeward; where we reached the thirteenth Day of the seventh Month, in +the Year 1747, having rode about fifteen hundred Miles, and sailed about +one hundred and fifty. + +In this Journey, I may say, in general, we were sometimes in much +Weakness, and laboured under Discouragements; and at other Times, +through the renewed Manifestations 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 Counties on _Delaware_, +and on the eastern Shore of _Maryland_, and having an Opportunity to +join with my well-beloved ancient Friend, JOHN SYKES, we obtained +Certificates, and set off the seventh 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 the +chief of the Meetings on the eastern Shore; and so Home by 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, +appeared to me to be in a declining Condition; yet, I believe, 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 Journies into the + upper Part of_ New-Jersey, _and afterwards into_ + Pennsylvania--_Considerations on keeping Slaves, and his Visits to + the Families of Friends at several Times and Places_--_An Epistle + from the General Meeting_--_His Journey to_ + Long-Island--_Considerations on Trading, and on the Use of + spirituous Liquors and costly Apparel_--_And his 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 agreeable to his +Will; and he was pleased to give me a well-inclined Damsel, SARAH ELLIS; +to whom I was married the eighteenth 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 +shewed him; and he perused the Manuscript, proposed a few Alterations, +and appeared well satisfied that I found a Concern on that Account: And +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 having the +perfect Use of his Understanding, he asked me concerning the Manuscript, +whether 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. + +By his Direction I had wrote his Will in a Time of Health, and that +Night he desired me to read it to him, which I did; and he said it was +agreeable to his Mind. He then made mention of his End, which he +believed was near; and signified, that, though he was sensible of many +Imperfections in the Course of his Life, yet his Experience of the Power +of Truth, and of the Love and Goodness of God from Time to Time, even +till 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 died a few Days before: He then 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 till near the last. + +On the second 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 inward 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, we travelled about two +Weeks, visiting Friends in _Bucks-County_. We laboured in the Love of +the Gospel, 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: And, 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 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: And I told the Man, that I +believed the Practice of continuing Slavery to this People was not +right; and had a Scruple in my Mind against doing Writings 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 Concerns in the +Practice; and I thought he was displeased with me. In this Case I had a +fresh Confirmation, that acting contrary to present outward Interest, +from a Motive of divine Love, and in Regard to Truth and Righteousness, +opens the Way to a Treasure better than Silver, and to a Friendship +exceeding the Friendship of Men. + +The Manuscript before-mentioned having lain 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, I found my Mind drawn to join in a Visit to Friends +Families belonging to _Chesterfield_ Monthly-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 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. And again, 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 acknowledge, 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 Continent; 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 first of the fourth Month, + inclusive, 1755. + + To Friends on the Continent of _America_. + + Dear Friends,--In an humble Sense of divine Goodness, and the + gracious 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 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_. Isa. + xl. 22. + + We (being convinced that the gracious Design of the Almighty in + sending his Son into the World, was to repair 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." _Heb._ xiii. 5. And as we, through + the gracious Dealings of the Lord our God, have had Experience of + that Work which is carried on, "not by _earthly_ Might, nor by + Power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts:" _Zech._ iv. 6. + 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 for ever; 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 ourselves 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." _Zech._ ix. 10. to the Completion of those Prophecies + already begun, that "Nation shall not lift up a Sword against + Nation, nor learn War any more." _Isa._ ii. 4. _Micah_ iv. 3. + + 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 sufficiently disintangled from the + surfeiting Cares of this Life, and redeemed from the Love of the + World, that no earthly Possessions nor Enjoyments may bias our + Judgments, 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." _Jer._ 1. + 34. And if, for the farther promoting his most gracious Purposes in + the Earth, he should give us to taste of that bitter Cup which his + faithful Ones have often partaken of; O! that we may be rightly + prepared to receive it. + + And now, dear Friends, with Respect to the Commotions 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 so many as do partake of + it, so many will be straitened and perplexed with it: But they who + are single to the Truth, waiting daily to feel the Life and Virtue + of it in their Hearts, these shall 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 Stalls; yet will _they_ rejoice in the + Lord, and joy in the God of _their_ Salvation." _Hab._ iii. 17, 18. + + 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 reason of the wild Grapes it produced, (_Isa._ v. 5.) remains + unchangeable; And if, for the Chastisement of Wickedness, and the + farther 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 so evidently felt my +own Will set aside, I think it good to mention a few of them.--Tradesmen +and Retailers of Goods, 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 any Necessity to question the +Judgment or Honesty of elderly Men, and more especially of such as have +a fair Reputation. Deep-rooted Customs, though wrong, are not easily +altered; but it is the Duty of every 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, from no other Motives than the Negro's +Good; but Man, as Man, knows not what shall be after him, nor hath +Assurance that his Children will attain to that Perfection in Wisdom and +Goodness necessary rightly to exercise such Power: 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. And, 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 have been 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 directed their Freedom; and then 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 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 Bed side, read it to him; and then told +him, in a friendly Way, that I could not write any Instruments by which +my Fellow-creatures were made Slaves, without bringing Trouble on my own +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 proposed: +We then had a serious Conference on the Subject; 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 +twelfth 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; the next Day, being the first of the Week, I was at the Meeting +in _New-town_; in which we experienced 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 publick and private; +and, at several Places, 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 began; at which were +our Friends JOHN SCARBOROUGH, JANE HOSKINS, and SUSANNA BROWN, from +_Pennsylvania_: The publick 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, 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 set a while 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 Providence, Men are +sometimes fitted for his 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 prophetic 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 disagreeable to my own Inclination. After this I +went homeward, taking _Woodbridge_, and _Plainfield_ in my Way; 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 I was out 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 farther Labour amongst them, I was bowed +in Reverence before him, with fervent Desires that I might find Strength +to resign myself up to his heavenly Will. + +Until this Year, 1756, I continued to retail Goods, besides following my +Trade as a Taylor; about which Time, I grew uneasy on Account of my +Business growing too cumbersome: I had begun with selling Trimmings for +Garments, and from thence 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, I believed Truth did not require me to engage in +much cumbering Affairs: 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 weaken me as a _Christian_. + +The Increase of Business became my Burthen; for, though my natural +Inclination was toward Merchandize, yet I believed Truth required me to +live more free from outward Cumbers: and there was now a Strife in my +Mind between the two; and 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 outward Business; and, as I had Opportunity, +told my Customers of my Intention, that they might consider what Shop to +turn to: And, in a while, wholly laid down Merchandize, following my +Trade, as a Taylor, myself only, having no Apprentice. I also had a +Nursery of Appletrees; in which I employed some of my Time in hoeing, +grafting, 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 expected, not having wherewith to pay, their +Creditors often sue for it at Law. Having often observed Occurrences 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 Custom of wearing too costly +Apparel, led some People into great Inconveniences; and these two Things +appear to be often connected; for, by not attending to that Use of +Things which is consistent with universal Righteousness, there is an +Increase of Labour which extends beyond what our heavenly Father intends +for us: And by great Labour, and often by much Sweating, there is, even +among such as are not Drunkards, a craving of some Liquors to revive the +Spirits; that, partly by the luxurious Drinking of some, and partly by +the Drinking of others (led to it through immoderate Labour), very great +Quantities of Rum are every Year expended in our Colonies; 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 elevated with +Strong-drink, and so indulge their Appetite as to disorder their +Understandings, neglect their Duty as Members in a Family or 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 Connection with Evil, those who +profess to be Disciples of Christ, and are looked upon as Leaders of the +People, should have that Mind in them which was also in Christ, and so +stand separate from every wrong Way, as 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 Bounds to our Desires, and +leads those, who faithfully follow it, to apply all the Gifts of divine +Providence to the Purposes for which they were intended. Did such, as +have the Care of great Estates, attend with Singleness of Heart to this +heavenly Instructor, which so opens and enlarges the Mind, that Men love +their Neighbours as themselves, they would have Wisdom given them to +manage, without finding Occasion to employ some People in the Luxuries +of Life, or to make it necessary for others to labour too hard; but, for +want of steadily regarding this Principle of divine Love, a selfish +Spirit takes Place in the Minds of People, which is attended with +Darkness and manifold Confusion 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 +thyself? 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, mayst 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 Impossibility to advance forward; 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; "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 Operation of the Hand of God upon us, to prepare +our Hearts truly to adore him, and 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 Prospect 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 Parents +love their Children and delight in their Happiness, 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 Ears +opened to Discipline. + +And now that, 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 Conversation proceeding from Men deeply +rooted in an earthly Mind, and can sympathize with others in such +Conflicts, in that much Weakness still attends me. + +I find that to be a Fool as to worldly Wisdom, and commit 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; that when we look at the Way of the Righteous, 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 a holy Emulation, to +advance forward in _Christian_ Firmness. Deep Humility is a strong +Bulwark; and, as we enter into it, we find Safety: The Foolishness of +God is wiser than Man, and the Weakness 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 Journey to_ Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, _and_ + North-Carolina: _Considerations on the State of Friends there; and + the Exercise he was under in travelling among those so generally + concerned in keeping Slaves: With some Observations in Conversation, + at several Times, 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_ + +Feeling an Exercise in Relation to a Visit to the southern Provinces, I +acquainted our Monthly-meeting therewith, and obtained their +Certificate: Expecting 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, +whereupon I had Conversation 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 obtaining a Certificate +suitable to the Occasion, we set off in the fifth Month of the Year +1757; and, coming to _Nottingham_ Week-day Meeting, lodged at JOHN +CHURCHMAN'S; and here I met with our Friend BENJAMIN BUFFINGTON, from +_New-England_, who was returning from a Visit to the southern Provinces. +Thence we crossed the River _Susquehannah_, and lodged at WILLIAM COX'S +in _Maryland_; and, soon after I entered this Province, a deep and +painful Exercise came upon me, which I often had some Feeling of since +my Mind was drawn towards these Parts, and with which I had acquainted +my Brother before 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 Singleness of Heart to the Voice of the true Shepherd, and +be so supported as to remain unmoved at the Faces of Men. + +The Prospect of so weighty a Work 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," Numb. xi. 15. 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 Abasement, 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." Psalm cxxxi. 2. 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, trusting that the Lord +Jesus Christ, as I faithfully attended to him, would be a Counsellor to +me in all Difficulties. + +The seventh 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 +_Potapsco_ Meeting; then crossed _Patuxent_ River, and lodged at a +Public-house. On the ninth breakfasted at a Friend's House; who, +afterward, 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 Mind to be at the Yearly-meeting in _Virginia_; and, in +my travelling on the Road, I often felt a Cry rise from the Center of my +Mind, thus: O Lord, I am a Stranger on the Earth, hide not thy Face from +me. + +On the eleventh Day of the fifth Month, we crossed the Rivers +_Patowmack_ and _Rapahannock_, and lodged at _Port-Royal_; and on the +Way we happening in Company with a Colonel of the Militia, who appeared +to be a thoughtful Man, I took Occasion to remark on the Difference in +general betwixt a People used to labour moderately for their Living, +training 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 Labourers 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, cultivating, and providing for their +Families; but Negroes, labouring to support others who claim them as +their Property, and expecting nothing but Slavery during Life, had not +the like Inducement to be industrious. + +After some farther 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 are great odds, in +regard to us, on what Principle we act; and so the Conversation on that +Subject ended: And I may here add, that another Person, some Time +afterward, mentioned the Wretchedness of the Negroes, 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 Motive of our +purchasing them, that Spirit of Tenderness, being attended 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 unhappy in _Africa_, is far from being an Argument in +our Favour: And I farther said, the present Circumstances of these +Provinces to me appear difficult; that 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 outward Prospects +of Gain to all other Considerations, and do not act conscientiously +toward them as fellow Creatures, I believe that Burthen will grow +heavier and heavier, till Times change in a Way disagreeable to us: At +which 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 thus 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 attended me; and, in an uncommon Distress of +Mind, I cried in secret to the Most High, O Lord, be merciful, I beseech +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; that it was the Design of +Providence they should be Slaves, as a Condition 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: That _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, inhabited +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 its 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." _Gen._ vii. 21. I farther reminded them, how the Prophets +repeatedly declare, "That the Son shall not suffer for the Iniquity of +the Father; but every one be answerable for his own Sins." I was +troubled to perceive the Darkness of their Imaginations; and in some +Pressure of Spirit said, the Love of Ease and Gain is the Motive in +general for keeping Slaves, and Men are wont to take hold of weak +Arguments to support a Cause which is unreasonable; and added, 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 Oppressed, will, +in his own Time, plead their Cause; and happy will it be for such as +walk in Uprightness before him: And thus our Conversation ended. + +On the fourteenth 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 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 _Fort-Creek_, and so to +_Cedar-Creek_ again; at which Place I 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, that it was a Time of +mutual Refreshment from the Presence of the Lord. I lodged at JAMES +STANDLEY'S, Father of WILLIAM STANDLEY, one of the young Men who +suffered Imprisonment at _Winchester_, last Summer, on Account of their +Testimony against Fighting; and I had some satisfactory Conversation +with him concerning it. Hence I went to the _Swamp_ Meeting, and to +_Wayanoke_ Meeting; and then crossed _James-River_, and lodged near +_Burleigh_. From the Time of my entering _Maryland_ I had been much +under Sorrow, which 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 Goodness, looked +upon my Affliction, and in my private Retirement 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 heavy upon me. It +appeared to me, that, through the prevailing of the Spirit of this +World, the Minds of many were brought to an inward Desolation; and, +instead of the Spirit of Meekness, Gentleness, and heavenly Wisdom, +which are the necessary Companions of the true Sheep of Christ, a Spirit +of Fierceness, and the Love of Dominion, too generally prevailed. From +small Beginnings in Errors, great Buildings, by degrees, are raised; and +from one Age to another are more and more strengthened by the general +Concurrence of the People; and, 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_ arise to that 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." _Isaiah_ +lix. 4. Or for the Almighty to call upon the great City of _Jerusalem_, +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." _Jer._ v. 1. 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, deeply bowed my Mind in this +Journey; and, though, to briefly relate how 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 Purpose, 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 Labour on the first +Day of the Week. + +The Correction, ensuing on their Disobedience to Overseers, or +Slothfulness in Business, is often very severe, and sometimes desperate. + +The Men and Women have many Times scarce 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 Luxuries of +Life: These are the People who have made no Agreement to serve us, and +who have not forfeited their Liberty that we know of: These are 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 whom he hath sent, +and are thus acquainted with the 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 Lodging I went to _Burleigh_ Meeting, where I felt my Mind drawn +into a quiet resigned State; and, after 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 Business 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 the 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 Testimony 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 their Alteration; and, +referring to the last-mentioned Query, added, as purchasing any +Merchandize, taken by the Sword, was always allowed 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 admitted as +they had altered it. As some of their Members have heretofore traded in +Negroes, as in other Merchandize, this Query being admitted, will be one +Step farther than they have hitherto gone: And 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 make Way for the +spreading of Truth on the Earth, by Means agreeable to his infinite +Wisdom. But, in Regard 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 Experience 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 selfish 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: Some, amongst them, at +this Time, manifested a Concern in Regard to taking more Care in the +Education of their Negroes. + +On the twenty-ninth 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 Engagement to speak freely and plainly to them +concerning their Slaves; mentioning, how they, as the first Rank in the +Society, whose Conduct in that Case was much noticed 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 Education and +otherwise, they might be instrumental in helping forward a Work so +necessary, and so much neglected amongst them. At the twelfth Hour the +Meeting of Worship began, which was a solid Meeting. + +On the thirtieth 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 communicate a few + Things, as they arise in the Love of Truth. First, 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. Where People let loose + their Minds after the Love of outward 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 + Treasures, 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 round 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 Meekness, feeling + our Spirits subject, and moving only in the gentle peaceable + Wisdom, the inward Reward of Quietness 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 as 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 have 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 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 stedfast + to the Testimony of it, and be prepared for Services in the Church. + + And now, dear Friends and Brethren, as you are improving 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, to + wisely consider the Force of your Examples, and think how much your + Successors may be thereby affected: It is a Help in a Country, yea, + and 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, + are 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 it. To rational Creatures + Bondage is uneasy, and frequently occasions Sourness and Discontent + in them; which affects the Family, and such as 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 is a large Number of Friends in + your Parts, who have no Slaves; and in tender 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 will you be preserved from those Dangers which attend + such as are aiming at outward Ease and Greatness. + + Treasures, though small, attained on a 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 an uneasy Conscience, nor + anxious Thoughts about the Events of Things, hinder the Enjoyment + of it. + + 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 Ways of true + Virtue. "The Work of Righteousness shall be Peace; and the Effect + of Righteousness, Quietness and Assurance for ever." Isa. xxxii. + 17. + + Dwell here, my dear Friends; and then, in remote and solitary + Desarts, 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 + Stronghold in the Day of Trouble, and knoweth them that trust in + him. + + ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY, IN VIRGINIA, + _29th of the 5th Month, 1757_. + +From the Yearly-meeting in _Virginia_, I went to _Carolina_; and, on the +first Day of the sixth Month, was at _Wells_ Monthly-meeting, where the +Spring of the Gospel Ministry was opened, and the Love of Jesus Christ +experienced 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 _Simond's_ 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 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 Understanding, 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 their Meeting expressed a Concern, that had some Time lain +upon him, on Account of Friends so much neglecting their Duty in the +Education of their Slaves; and proposed having Meetings sometimes +appointed for them on a Week-day, to be only attended 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 Understanding, 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 farther Consideration of it referred +to their next Monthly-meeting. The Friend who made this Proposal had +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 had Slaves, told 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 that he saw a Time +coming, when divine Providence would alter the Circumstances of these +People, respecting their Condition 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 to +the Head of _Little-River_, on a First-day, where was a crowded Meeting; +and, I believe, it was, through divine Goodness, 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 Iniquity, which, under a Cover +of Religion, exalts itself against that pure Spirit, which leads in the +Way of Meekness and Self-denial. From thence to _Pineywoods_: This was +the last Meeting I was at in _Carolina_, and was large; and, my Heart +being deeply engaged, I was drawn forth into a fervent Labour amongst +them. + +From hence I went back into _Virginia_, and had a Meeting near JAMES +COWPLAND'S; it was a Time of inward 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 comfortable Season. + +Travelling up and down of late, I have had renewed Evidences, that to be +faithful to the Lord, and content 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 a 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 Manner in which we +may be led may tend to our own Abasement; yet, if we continue in +Patience and Meekness, heavenly Peace is the Reward of our Labours. + +From thence I went to _Curles_ Meeting; which, though small, was +reviving to the Honest-hearted. Thence to _Black-Creek_ and _Caroline_ +Meetings; from whence, accompanied by WILLIAM STANDLEY, +before-mentioned, we rode to _Goose-Creek_, being much through the +Woods, and about one hundred Miles.--We lodged the first Night at a +Publick-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 in plenty; in the mean Time cutting with our Knives a Store against +Night, and then tying them, and gathering some Bushes under an Oak, we +lay down; but, the Musquettoes being plenty, and the Ground damp, I +slept but little: Thus, lying in the Wilderness, and looking at the +Stars, I was led to contemplate on 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 shewed 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 Improvements 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 are distinct from that Uprightness +in which Man was created; as the first Motion to them was evil, so the +Effects have been and are evil. At this Day, it is as necessary for us +constantly to attend on the heavenly Gift, to be qualified to use +rightly the good Things in this 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 gracious Dealing of the Almighty with us, +his Power prevailed 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. Thence I had Meetings at +_John Everit's_ in _Monalen_, and at _Huntingdon_; and I 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 _Monalen_, 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 Waggon 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 said 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, wondered at his Conduct in that Case. The _Mennonist_ replied, +Ever since I lodged by thy Field, I have wanted an Opportunity to speak +with thee: The Matter was; I intended to have 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: +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. + +Hence I was at three Meetings in my Way; and so I went Home, under a +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 + + _The draughting 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_ + +On the ninth Day of the eighth Month, in the Year 1757, at Night, Orders +came to the military Officers in our County (_Burlington_), directing +them to draught the Militia, and prepare a Number of Men to go off as +Soldiers, to the Relief of the _English_ at _Fort-William-Henry_, in +_New-York_ Government: A few Days after which 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 draught 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 +Draught; 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 was 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 profess 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. + +Officers, in great Anxiety, endeavouring to get Troops to answer the +Demands of their Superiors, seeing Men, who are insincere, pretend +Scruple of Conscience in Hopes of being excused from a dangerous +Employment, such are likely to be roughly handled. In this Time of +Commotion some of our young Men left the Parts, and tarried abroad till +it was over; some came, and proposed 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 them 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 +provide 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 draughted, after some Days march, +had Orders to return Home; and those on the second Draught were no more +called upon on that Occasion. + +On the fourth 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: And an Officer and two other Men, all +Inhabitants of our Town, came to my House; and the Officer told me, that +he came 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 unexpected, I made no Answer suddenly; but +sat a Time silent, my Mind being inward: I was fully convinced, 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 believe 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 consistent with my religious Principles; To which +I made no Reply; as believing Silence at that Time best for me. Though +they spake of two, there came only one, who tarried at my House about +two Weeks, and behaved himself civilly; and when the Officer came to pay +me, I told him I could not take Pay for it, having admitted him into my +House in a passive Obedience to Authority. I was on Horseback when he +spake 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 several Days been +disconsolate, occasioned by a Dream; wherein Death, and the Judgments of +the Almighty after Death, were represented to her 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, expressed 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 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 the 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 Youth's 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: And 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 Meeting moved it to their Quarterly-meeting, to have the Minute +reconsidered in the Yearly-meeting, which was made last on that Subject: +And the said Quarterly-meeting appointed a Committee to consider it, and +report to their next; which Committee having met once and adjourned, 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: And, 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 dealing 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 Engagement to speak directly to any +other Matter before the Meeting. Now, when this Case was opened, several +faithful Friends spake weightily thereto, with which I was comforted; +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 manifested; and it is my earnest Desire +that, in this weighty 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 +them; 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 believe 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 Righteousness on the Earth: And, though none did openly +justify the Practice of Slave-keeping in general, yet some appeared +concerned, lest the Meeting should go into such Measures as might give +Uneasiness to many Brethren; alledging, that if Friends patiently +continued under the Exercise, the Lord, in Time to come might open a Way +for the Deliverance of these People: And, I finding an Engagement to +speak, said, "My Mind is often led to consider the Purity of the divine +Being, and the Justice of his Judgments; 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 Understandings, from one +Time to another, concerning our Duty towards this People; and it is not +a Time for Delay. Should we now be sensible of what he requires of us, +and, 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 by terrible Things in Righteousness God may answer us in this +Matter." + +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 effectually struck +at, until a thorough Search was made into the Circumstances of such +Friends as kept Negroes, with respect to the Righteousness of their +Motives in keeping them, that impartial Justice might be administered +throughout. Several Friends expressed their Desire, that a Visit might +be made to such Friends as kept Slaves; and many Friends said, that they +believed Liberty was the Negroes Right: To which, at length, no +Opposition was made publickly. A Minute was made more full on that +Subject than any heretofore; and the Names of several Friends entered, +who were free to join in a Visit to such as kept Slaves. + + +CHAPTER VI + + _His visiting the Quarterly-meetings in_ Chester _County; and + afterwards joining with_ DANIEL STANTON _and_ JOHN SCARBOROUGH _in a + Visit to such as kept Slaves there_--_Some Observations on the + Conduct such should maintain as are concerned to speak in Meetings + for Discipline_--_Several more Visits to such as 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_ + +On the eleventh 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 Increase 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 Opportunity 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 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 eighteenth 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: And, near the Conclusion of the +Meeting for Business, Friends were incited to Constancy in supporting +the Testimony of Truth, and reminded of the Necessity which the +Disciples of Christ are under to attend principally to his Business, as +he is pleased to open it to us: 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 following 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 was large, and sat near eight Hours. +Here I had Occasion to consider, that it was a weighty Thing to speak +much in large Meetings for Business: First, 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 Burthen 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 +far, and adjourning a Meeting of Business is attended with great +Difficulty, it behoves all to be cautious how they detain a Meeting; +especially when they have sat six or seven Hours, and have a great +Distance to ride Home. After this Meeting I rode Home. + +In the Beginning of the twelfth Month of the Year 1758 I joined in +Company with my Friends, JOHN SYKES and DANIEL STANTON, in visiting such +as 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 the other Part of our Time was +mostly employed in visiting such as 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 twenty-fourth Day of the third Month of this Year, I was at our +general Spring-meeting at _Philadelphia_: After which, I again joined +with JOHN CHURCHMAN on a Visit to some more who had Slaves in +_Philadelphia_; and, with Thankfulness to our heavenly Father, I may +say, that divine Love and a true sympathising 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 Engagement 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; So I went, and told him, in private, 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 fourteenth 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-meeting therein, I attended their +Quarterly-meeting, and was out 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 found a near +Fellowship with the Brethren and Sisters, in the manifold Trials +attending their _Christian_ Progress 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 Company of such as were named on the Minutes 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 +Burthen. + +After this, our Friend JOHN CHURCHMAN, coming into 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 along this Continent, I observed in most of them, both +this Year and last, it was recommended to Friends to labour against +buying and keeping Slaves; and in some of them closely treated upon. +This Practice had 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. Now, observing 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 Meeting continued near a Week; and, for several Days, in the fore +Part 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: And, near 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 shew 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: +And I was led to mention the Integrity and Constancy of many Martyrs, +who gave their Lives for the Testimony of Jesus; 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 mutually 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 preserved +amongst us: And that if such, as were, at Times, under Sufferings on +Account of some Scruples of Conscience, kept low and humble, and in +their Conduct in Life manifested 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 contrary +Spirit and Conduct." In which 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 twenty-second Day of the ninth Month, to + the twenty-eighth Day of the same, inclusive, 1759. + + To the Quarterly and Monthly-meetings of Friends belonging to the + said Yearly-meeting. + + "Dearly beloved Friends and Brethren,--In an awful Sense of the + Wisdom and Goodness of 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 agreeable 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 Improvement of a Wilderness, + and made Way for them in the Hearts of the Natives; so that by them + they were comforted in Times of Want and Distress: It was by the + gracious Influences of his holy Spirit, that they were disposed 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 educate their Children in the Fear of the Lord. + + If we carefully consider the peaceable Measures pursued 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 Tranquility and Plenty, and in which the + Glad-tidings of the Gospel of Christ are so freely published, that + we may justly say with the Psalmist, "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, do sufficiently evidence the Truth of that Saying, "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;" and as a proud selfish + Spirit prevails and spreads among a People, so partial Judgment, + Oppression, Discord, Envy, and Confusions, 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." _Jer._ ii. 19. + + The God of our Fathers, who hath bestowed on us many Benefits, + furnished a Table for us in the Wilderness, and made the Desarts + and solitary Places to rejoice; he doth now mercifully call upon us + to serve him more faithfully.--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 + consider the original Cause of the present Troubles; but such as + fear the Lord, and think often upon his Name, 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 Settlement of our Provinces, + the Calamities attending them have fallen chiefly on other Places, + but now of late they have reached to 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 been 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 draughted, 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's Sake is + experienced.--Many Parents were concerned for their Children, and + in that 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 Troubles 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 Tranquility. 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 fore 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 is become our Enemy, if we persist to contend with him who + is omnipotent, our Overthrow 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 Dissolution; 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 an 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 + Corruptions; that, as they advance in Age, they may rightly + understand their true Interest, 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 more grievously entangle + them in that Spirit of Selfishness and Exaltation, which stands in + Opposition to real Peace and Happiness; and renders them 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 them who, + through the Dispensations of divine Providence, are in strait and + painful Circumstances in this Life, and steadily to endeavour to + honour God with our Substance, from a real Sense of the Love of + Christ influencing our Minds thereto, is more likely to bring a + Blessing to our Children, and will afford more Satisfaction to a + _Christian_ favoured with Plenty, than an earnest Desire to collect + much Wealth to leave behind us; for "Here we have no continuing + City;" may we therefore diligently "seek one that is to come, whose + Builder and Maker is God." + + "Finally, Brethren, whatsoever Things are true, whatsoever Things + are just, whatsoever Things are pure, whatsoever Things are lovely, + whatsoever Things are of good Report; if there be any Virtue, if + there be any Praise, think on these Things and do them, and the God + of Peace shall be with you." + + Signed, by Appointment, and on Behalf of our said + Meeting, by seven Friends. + +On the twenty-eighth Day of the eleventh Month, in the Year 1759, I was +at the Quarterly-meeting in _Bucks_ County: This Day being the Meeting +of Ministers and Elders, my Heart was enlarged in the Love of Jesus +Christ; and the Favour of the Most High was extended to us in that and +the ensuing Meeting. + +I had Conversation, at my Lodging, with my beloved Friend, SAMUEL +EASTBURN; who expressed a Concern to join in a Visit to some Friends, in +that County, who had Negroes; and as I had felt a Draught in my Mind to +that Work in the said County, came Home and put Things in Order: On the +eleventh Day of the twelfth Month following, I went over the River; and +on the next Day was at _Buckingham_ Meeting; where, through the +Descendings of heavenly Dew, my Mind was comforted, and drawn into a +near Unity with the Flock of Jesus Christ. + +Entering upon this Visit appeared weighty: And before I left Home my +Mind was often sad; under which Exercise I felt, at Times, the Holy +Spirit, which helps our Infirmities; through which, in private, my +Prayers were, at Times, put up to God, that he would be pleased to purge +me from all Selfishness, that I might be strengthened to discharge my +Duty faithfully, how hard soever to the natural Part. We proceeded on +the Visit in a weighty Frame of Spirit, and went to the Houses of the +most active Members, throughout the Country, who had Negroes; and, +through the Goodness of the Lord, my Mind was preserved in Resignation +in Times of Trial, and, though the Work was hard to Nature, yet through +the Strength of that Love which is stronger than Death, Tenderness of +Heart was often felt amongst us in our Visits, and we parted from +several Families with greater Satisfaction than we expected. + + * * * * * + +We visited JOSEPH WHITE'S Family, he being in _England_; and 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. + + +CHAPTER VII + + _His Visit, in Company with_ SAMUEL EASTBURN, _to_ Long-Island, + Rhode-Island, Boston, _etc. in_ New-England--_Remarks on the + Slave-Trade at_ Newport, _and his Exercise on that Account; 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 seventeenth 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_, +_Rahaway_, and _Plainfield_; and were at their Monthly-meeting of +Ministers and Elders in _Rahaway_. 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 the +chief 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 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 +earnestly 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 4th 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, remembering that Promise, + 'Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord:'--As this, from Day + to Day, has been revived in my Memory, I have considered that his + internal 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 regards the Helpless and + Distressed, and reveals his Love to his Children under Affliction; + they delight in beholding his Benevolence, and feeling divine + Charity moving upon them: Of this I may speak a little; for though, + since I left you, I have often found an engaging Love and Affection + 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 remember there are many Widows and Fatherless, + many who have poor Tutors, many who have evil Examples before them, + and many whose Minds are in Captivity, for whose Sake my Heart is, + at Times, moved with Compassion; so 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 Fellow-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, so that 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 them. + +We had five Meetings in _Narraganset_; and went thence to _Newport_ on +_Rhode-Island_. Our gracious Father preserved us in an humble Dependence +on him through deep Exercises, that were mortifying to the creaturely +Will. In 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 appeared singular from many, +whose Service in Travelling, I believe, is greater than mine; I do not +think hard of them for omitting it; I do not 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 deep Impression 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 _Tanton_, in our Way to _Boston_; +where also we had a Meeting; our Exercise 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 Dependance on that Arm which drew us out; and, +though we had some hard Labour with the Disobedient, laying Things home +and close 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; this we did, as believing the Journey would have +been hard to him and his Horse. + +We visited the Meetings in those Parts, and were measurably 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 were imported from _Africa_ into that Town, and then on +Sale by a Member of our Society. At this Meeting we met with JOHN STORER +from _England_, ELIZABETH 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 _Habakkuk_ as there 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 multiply 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 petitioning; and such +was the Exercise of my Mind, that I had 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 enquired 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 +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; on the last Day +of which, 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 +shewed 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 Account of the great +Number of Slaves which are imported in 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 Legislature; 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 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 farther Notice of it at 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 +as 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 as a Duty; for my Heart yearned +toward the Inhabitants of these Parts; believing 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 +Humility, 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 thus far proceeded, I felt easy to leave the Essay among Friends, +for them to proceed in it as they believed best. And now an Exercise +revived on my Mind in Relation to Lotteries, which were common in those +Parts: I had once 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: And now, on +moving it again, it was opposed 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 Selfishness, which tended to Confusion and Darkness of +Understanding; and that pleading for it in our Meetings, set apart for +the Lord's Work, was not right: And, in the Heat of Zeal, I once made +Reply to what an ancient Friend said, though when I sat down, I saw that +my Words were not enough seasoned with Charity; and, after this, I spake +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 Uneasiness, but was concerned that I might say nothing to +weaken the Cause in which I had laboured; and then, after some close +Exercise and hearty Repentance, for that I had not attended closely to +the safe Guide, I stood up, and reciting the Passage, acquainted +Friends, that, though I durst not go from what I had said as to the +Matter, yet I was uneasy with the Manner of my speaking, as 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 Yearly-meeting being now over, there yet 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 +proposed 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, encouraged me to proceed to clear myself of what lay upon me. +Now I had, near the Beginning of the Yearly-meeting, a private +Conference with this said Elder and his Wife concerning 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 unkind +to be asked to come together, and to be spoke with one in the hearing of +another, 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 only Ministers, Elders, and Overseers, he named some others, who he +desired might be present also: And, as a careful Messenger was wanted +to acquaint 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, +the 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, and opened the Concern I +was under; and so 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 us with the seasoning Virtue of Truth, which +wrought a Tenderness amongst us; and the Subject was mutually handled in +a calm and peaceable Spirit: And, at length, feeling my Mind released +from that Burthen which I had been under, I took my Leave of them, in a +good Degree of Satisfaction; and, by the Tenderness 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, 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 Resignation through these Trials. + +Thou, who sometimes travellest in the Work of the Ministry, 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 mayst 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 disqualified by a superficial +Friendship; and as the Sense thereof hath abased me, and my Cries have +been to the Lord, so 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 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-Town_, _Cushnet_, +_Long-Plain_, _Rochester_, and _Dartmouth_: From thence we sailed for +_Nantucket_, in Company with ANN GAUNT and MERCY REDMAN, and several +other Friends: The Wind being slack, we only reached _Tarpawling-Cove_ +the first Day; where, going on Shore, we found Room in a Publick-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 then, 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 their 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 sensible 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 Friends 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; and, feeling clear as to any +farther Visits, I spent my Time in our Chamber chiefly alone; and, after +some Hours, my Heart being filled with the Spirit of Supplication, my +Prayers and Tears were poured out, before my heavenly Father, for his +Help and Instruction in the manifold Difficulties which attended me in +Life: And, while I was waiting upon the Lord, there came a Messenger +from the Women Friends, who lodged at another House, desiring to confer +with us about appointing a Meeting, which to me appeared weighty, as we +had been at so many before; but, after a short Conference, and advising +with some elderly Friends, a Meeting was appointed, in which the Friend, +who first moved it, and who had been much shut up before, was largely +opened in the Love of the Gospel: And the next Morning, about Break of +Day, going again on board the Vessel, we reached _Falmouth_ on the Main +before Night; where our Horses being brought, we proceeded toward +_Sandwich_ Quarterly-meeting. + +Being two Days in going to _Nantucket_, and having been there once +before, I observed many Shoals in their Bay, which make Sailing more +dangerous, especially in stormy Nights; also, that a great Shoal, which +encloses their Harbour, prevents their going in with Sloops, except when +the Tide is up; waiting without which, for the Rising of the Tide, is +sometimes hazardous in Storms; waiting within, they sometimes miss a +fair Wind. I took Notice, that on that small Island was a great Number +of Inhabitants, and the Soil not very fertile; the Timber so gone, that +for Vessels, Fences, and Firewood, they depend chiefly on the buying +from the Main; the Cost whereof, with most of their other Expences, they +depend principally upon the Whale-fishery to answer. I considered, that +as Towns grew larger, and Lands near navigable Waters more cleared, +Timber and Wood require more Labour to get it: I understood that the +Whales being much hunted, and sometimes wounded and not killed, grew +more shy and difficult to come at: I considered that the Formation of +the Earth, the Seas, the Islands, Bays, and Rivers, the Motions of the +Winds and great Waters, which cause Bars and Shoals in particular +Places, were all the Works of him who is perfect Wisdom and Goodness; +and, as People attend to his heavenly Instruction, and put their Trust +in him, he provides for them in all Parts where he gives them a Being. +And as, in this Visit to these People, I felt a strong Desire for their +firm Establishment on the sure Foundation, besides what was said more +publickly, I was concerned to speak with the Women Friends, in their +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 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 of running great Hazards +to support them in it; encouraging the young Women in their neat decent +Way of attending themselves on the Affairs of the House; shewing, 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 Calmness of Mind, than they have had +who, aspiring to Greatness and outward Shew, have grasped hard for an +Income to support themselves in it: And, as I observed they had few or +no Slaves amongst them, I had to encourage them to be content without +them; making mention of the numerous 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 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 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 inward 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 heavenly Shepherd. The last +Meeting, in which Friends from the several Parts of the Quarter came +together, was a select Meeting; 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 +the fore Part of this Journey, have of late appeared to me as a +Dispensation of Kindness. Appointing Meetings never appeared more +weighty to me; and I was led into a deep Search, whether in all Things +my Mind was resigned to the Will of God; 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 the secret Movings of the heavenly 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, accompanied by our Friend, JOHN CASEY, from +_Newport_, we rode through _Connecticut_ to _Oblong_, visited the +Meetings 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: So we +visited Friends at _New York_ and _Flushing_; and thence to _Rahaway_: +And here, our Roads parting, I took Leave of my beloved Companion, and +true Yoke-mate, SAMUEL EASTBURN; and reached Home on the tenth Day of +the eighth Month, 1760, where I found my Family well: And, for the +Favours and Protection 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. + + +CHAPTER VIII + + _His Visits to_ Pennsylvania, Shrewsbury, _and_ Squan_--His + publishing the second Part of Considerations on keeping + Negroes_--_His visiting the Families of Friends of_ Ancocas _and_ + Mount-Holly _Meetings_--_His Visits to the_ Indians _at_ Wehaloosing + _on the River_ Susquehannah + +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: And, on the tenth 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 come Home, or go on, as +I might then believe best for me; and there, through the springing up of +pure Love, I felt Encouragement, 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, who 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 their First-day-meeting; and had a Meeting at +_Squan_, and another at _Squankum_; and, as Way opened, had Conversation +with some noted Friends concerning their Slaves: And I returned Home in +a thankful Sense of the Goodness of the Lord. + +From the Care I felt growing in me some Years, I wrote Considerations on +keeping Negroes, Part the Second; which was printed 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 Expence, +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 not at their Expence; and such often, receiving +them as a Gift, conceal them: But as they, who make a Purchase, +generally buy that which they have a Mind for, I believe 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 +own 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: +So that, being often weary, I was prepared to sympathize with those +whose Circumstances in Life, as free Men, required constant Labour to +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 as 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: And, 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, as had +great Estates, generally lived in that Humility and Plainness which +belongs to a _Christian_ Life, and laid much easier Rents and Interests +on their Lands and Monies, 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 pure Wisdom, be discontinued. And, 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 agreeable to universal +Righteousness? And then there hath some Degree of Sadness, at Times, +come over me, for that 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 Principle; and in this Circumstance have been +affected with a Sense of my own Wretchedness, and in a mourning +Condition felt earnest Longing for that divine Help, which brings the +Soul into true Liberty; and 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. + +In visiting People of Note in the Society who had Slaves, and labouring +with them in brotherly Love on that Account, I have seen, and the Sight +hath affected me, that a Conformity to some Customs, distinguishable +from pure Wisdom, has entangled many; and the Desire of Gain, to support +these Customs, greatly opposed the Work of Truth: And sometimes, when +the Prospect of the Work before me has been such, that in Bowedness of +Spirit, I have been drawn into retired Places, and besought the Lord +with Tears that he would take me wholly under his Direction, and shew me +the Way in which I ought to walk, it hath revived, with Strength of +Conviction, that, if I would be his faithful Servant, I must, in all +Things, attend to his Wisdom, and be teachable; and so cease from all +Customs contrary thereto, however used amongst religious People. + +As he is the Perfection of Power, of Wisdom, and of Goodness, so, I +believe, he hath provided, that so much Labour shall be necessary for +Men's Support, in this World, as would, being rightly divided, be a +suitable Employment of their Time; and that we cannot go into +Superfluities, or grasp after Wealth in a Way contrary to his Wisdom, +without having Connection with some Degree of Oppression, and with that +Spirit which leads to Self-exaltation and Strife, and which frequently +brings Calamities on Countries, by Parties contending about their +Claims. + +In the eleventh Month of the Year 1762, feeling an Engagement of Mind to +visit some Families in _Mansfield_. I joined my beloved Friend, BENJAMIN +JONES, and we spent a few Days together in that Service. In the second +Month, 1763, I joined in Company with ELIZABETH SMITH and MARY NOBLE on +a Visit to the Families of Friends at _Ancocas_; in both which Visits, +through the baptizing Power of Truth, the sincere Labourers were often +comforted, and the Hearts of Friends opened to receive us. And, in the +fourth Month following, I accompanied some Friends in a Visit to the +Families of Friends in _Mount-Holly_, in which my Mind was often drawn +into an inward Awfulness, wherein strong Desires were raised for the +everlasting Welfare of my Fellow-creatures; and, through the Kindness of +our heavenly Father, our Hearts were, at Times, enlarged, and Friends +invited, in the Flowings of divine Love, to attend to that which would +settle them on the sure Foundation. + +Having many Years felt Love in my Heart towards the Natives of this +Land, who dwell far back in the Wilderness, whose Ancestors were the +Owners and Possessors of the Land where we dwell; and who, for a very +small Consideration, assigned their Inheritance to us; and, being at +_Philadelphia_, in the eighth Month, 1761, in 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 _Susquehannah_, at an _Indian_ Town +called _Wehaloosing_, two hundred Miles from _Philadelphia_, and, in +Conversation with them by an Interpreter, as also by Observations on +their Countenances and Conduct, I believed some of them were measurably +acquainted with that divine Power which subjects the rough and forward +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; and, then, in the Winter, 1762, I laid it before +Friends at our Monthly and Quarterly, 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 Women from a little +beyond that Town to _Philadelphia_ on Business: And I, being informed +thereof by Letter, met them in Town in the fifth Month, 1763; and, after +some Conversation, finding they were sober People, I, by the Concurrence +of Friends in that Place, agreed to join with them as Companions in +their Return; and, on the seventh Day of the sixth Month following, we +appointed to meet at SAMUEL FOULK'S, at _Richland_ in _Bucks_ County. +Now, as this Visit felt weighty, and was performed at a Time when +Travelling appeared perilous, so the Dispensations of divine Providence, +in preparing my Mind for it, have been memorable; and I believe it good +for me to give some Hints thereof. + +After I had given up to go, the Thoughts of the Journey 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: And, 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 Father: "I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of +the World, but that thou shouldest keep them from the Evil." And, in +attending to the pure Openings of Truth, I had to mention what he +elsewhere said to his Father; "I know that thou hearest me at all +Times:" So that, as some of his Followers kept their Places, and as his +Prayer was granted, it followed necessarily that they were kept from +Evil: And, 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 befals 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 +if relates to them. As I spake on this Subject, my Heart was much +tendered, and great Awfulness came over me; and then, on the first Day +of the next Week, being at our own Afternoon-meeting, and 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 _Assyrians_ endeavouring to take captive the Prophet, were +disappointed; and how the Psalmist said, "The Angel of the Lord +encampeth round about them that fear him." And thus, in true Love and +Tenderness, I parted from Friends, expecting 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 Publick-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 the said _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; so I, going again to Bed, 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 Conflict 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 +publick, 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. So 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, 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 indeed 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_; and there, +parting with JOHN, WILLIAM and we went forward on the ninth Day of the +sixth Month, and got Lodging on the Floor of a House, about five Miles +from _Fort-Allen_: Here we parted with WILLIAM; and at this Place we +met with an _Indian_ Trader, lately come from _Wioming_; and, in +Conversation with him, I perceived that many white People do 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 Mischief; 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 Clothing, +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 People 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: And while my Mind, this Evening, +was thus employed, 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 independent on such as are +wealthy, who often set high Rents on their Land: Being renewedly +confirmed in a Belief, that, if all our Inhabitants lived according to +sound Wisdom, labouring to promote universal Love and Righteousness, and +ceased from every inordinate Desire after Wealth, and from all Customs +which are tinctured with Luxury, the Way would be easy for our +Inhabitants, though much more numerous than at present, to live +comfortably on honest Employments, without having 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 that +wicked Practice of selling Rum to them. + +On the tenth Day of the Month we set out early in the Morning, and +crossed the Western Branch of _Delaware_, called the _Great Lehie_, near +_Fort-Allen_; the Water being high, we went over in a Canoe: Here we 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: Then, after travelling 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 _Wioming_, 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: And, 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 Affection. 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 Desarts appeared +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 +Warriours: 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 Warriours, travelling over +Mountains and Desarts; thinking on their Miseries and Distresses when +wounded far from Home by their Enemies; and of their 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 proposed to lay under our Blankets, being 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: So 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 eleventh Day of the sixth Month, the Bushes being wet, we tarried in +our Tent till about eight o'Clock; when, going on, we crossed a high +Mountain supposed to be upwards 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 ate 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 of the _Indians_, invited to +come again. + +The twelfth Day of the sixth Month, and first of the Week, it being a +rainy Day, we continued in our Tent; and here I was led to think on the +Nature of the Exercise which hath attended 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: And, as it pleased the Lord to make Way for my going +at a Time when the Troubles of War were increasing, and when, by Reason +of much wet Weather, Travelling was more difficult than usual at that +Season, 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 concerning me, I was made quiet and content. + +Our Guide's Horse, though hoppled, went away in the Night; 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, about seven Hours after, returned with him: And here we +lodged again; tying up our Horses before we went to Bed, and loosing +them to feed about Break of Day. + +On the thirteenth Day of the sixth Month, the Sun appearing, we set +forward; and, as I rode over the barren Hills, my Meditations were on +the Alterations of the Circumstances of the Natives of this Land since +the Coming in of the _English_. 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 passing up and down easy with any Kind of +Traffic. Those Natives have, in some Places, for trifling +Considerations, sold their Inheritance so favourably situated; and, in +other Places, been driven back by superior Force: So that in many +Places, as their Way of clothing themselves is now altered from what it +was, and they, far remote from us, have to pass over Mountains, Swamps, +and barren Desarts, 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 Subsistance, are +not so plenty as they were; and People too often, for the Sake of Gain, +open a Door for them 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 were now very much broken, and 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 upwards of nine hundred Miles, where I had travelled; and the +favourable Situation of the _English_, and the Difficulties attending +the Natives in many Places, and 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 +Continent: And here I was led into a close laborious Enquiry, whether I, +as an Individual, kept clear from all Things which tended 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 +Simplicity of a sincere Follower of Christ. And, in this lonely Journey, +I did, this Day, greatly bewail 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 Mankind: And, here, +Luxury and Covetousness, with the numerous Oppressions, and other Evils +attending them, appeared very afflicting to me; and I felt in that which +is immutable, that the Seeds of great Calamity and Desolation are sown +and growing fast on this Continent: Nor have I Words sufficient to set +forth that 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 _Wioming_; and here we 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 People, 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_ Warriours, +from distant Parts, came to that Town with two _English_ Scalps, and +told the People, that it was War with the _English_. + +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, having a Tomahawk wrapped 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 Companion 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 +disagreeable 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 what _Indians_ were about _Wioming_ +expected, in a few Days, to move to some larger Towns, I thought that, +to all outward Appearance, it was dangerous Travelling at this Time; and +was, after a hard Day's Journey, 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: And then, as I believed I +had, under a Sense of Duty, come thus far, I was now earnest in Spirit, +beseeching the Lord to shew 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 Disgrace +arising on my returning without performing the Visit, might have some +Place in me: Thus I lay, full of Thoughts, great Part of the Night, +while my beloved Companion lay and slept by me; till the Lord, my +gracious Father, who saw the Conflicts of my Soul, was pleased to give +Quietness: Then I was again strengthened 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 fourteenth Day of the sixth Month, we sought out and visited all +the _Indians_ hereabout that we could meet with; they being chiefly in +one Place, about a Mile from where we lodged, in all perhaps twenty. +Here I expressed the Care I had on my Mind for their Good; and told +them, that true Love had made me willing thus to leave my Family to come +and see the _Indians_, and speak with them in their Houses. Some of them +appeared kind and friendly. So we took our Leave of these _Indians_, and +went up the River _Susquehannah_, about three Miles, to the House of an +_Indian_, called JACOB JANUARY, who had killed his Hog; and the Women +were making 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; so that we, being detained some Hours, had a good deal +of friendly Conversation with the Family; and, eating Dinner with them, +we 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 them over a Creek, called _Lahawahamunk_, we +pitched 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 down in an humble bowed Frame of Mind, and had a comfortable Night's +Lodging. + +On the fifteenth Day of the sixth Month, we proceeded forward till the +Afternoon; when, a Storm appearing, we met our Canoe at an appointed +Place; and, the Rain continuing, we stayed all Night, which was so +heavy, that it beat through our Tent, and wet us and our Baggage. + +On the sixteenth Day, we found, on our Way, abundance of Trees blown +down with the Storm the Day before; 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 abundance 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 this 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 Warriours, +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_. 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 Difficulties in our Journey, and +the different Way of living from what I had been used to, I grew sick; +and the News of these Warriours 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 to be renewed, that I might persevere +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 seventeenth Day, parting from JOB CHILAWAY, we went on, and +reached _Wehaloosing_ about the Middle of the Afternoon, and the first +_Indian_ that we saw was a Woman of a modest Countenance, with a Bible, +who first spake to our Guide; and then, with a harmonious Voice, +expressed her Gladness at seeing us, having before heard of our Coming: +Then, 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 +Conkshell 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; and, after +sitting a short Time, I stood up, and in some Tenderness of Spirit +acquainted them with the Nature of my Visit, and that a Concern for +their Good had made me 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 shewed 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 eighteenth Day: We rested ourselves this Forenoon; and the +_Indians_, knowing that the _Moravian_ and I were of different religious +Societies, and as some of their People had encouraged him to come and +stay a While 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 _Moravian_ would speak in their settled Meetings, +which are commonly held Morning and near Evening. So I found 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 it, if I sometimes spake 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: So, near +Evening, I was at their Meeting, where the pure Gospel-love was felt, to +the tendering some of our Hearts; and the Interpreters, endeavouring 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: And afterwards, feeling my Mind covered with the +Spirit of Prayer, I told the Interpreters 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: And, before the People went out, I +observed PAPUNEHANG (the 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 as +follows: "I love to feel where Words come from." + +On the nineteenth 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_ spake a short Time to +the People: And, in the Afternoon, they coming together, and my Heart +being filled with a heavenly Care for their Good, I spake to them a +While 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 understood, 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 +spirited to give the _Indians_ the Substance of what I had said. + +Before our first Meeting, this Morning, I was led to meditate on the +manifold Difficulties of these _Indians_, who, by the Permission of the +six Nations, dwell in these Parts; and a near Sympathy with them was +raised in me; and, my Heart being enlarged in the Love of Christ, I +thought that the affectionate Care of a good Man for his only Brother in +Affliction does not exceed what I then felt for that People. + +I came to this Place through much Trouble; and though, through the +Mercies of God, I believed, that if I died in the Journey, it would be +well with me; yet the Thoughts of falling into the Hands of _Indian_ +Warriours were, in Times of Weakness, afflicting to me; and, being of a +tender Constitution of Body, the Thoughts of Captivity amongst them +were, at Times, grievous; as supposing, that they being strong and +hardy, might demand Service of me beyond what I could well bear; but the +Lord alone was my Keeper; and I believed, if I went into Captivity, it +would be for some good End: And thus, from Time to Time, my Mind was +centered in Resignation, in which I always found Quietness. And now, +this Day, though I had the same dangerous Wilderness between me and +Home, I was inwardly joyful that the Lord had strengthened me to come on +this Visit, and manifested a fatherly Care over me in my poor lowly +Condition, when in mine own Eyes I appeared inferior to many amongst the +_Indians_. + +When the last-mentioned Meeting was ended, it being Night, PAPUNEHANG +went to Bed; and, one of the Interpreters sitting by me, I observed +PAPUNEHANG spoke with an harmonious Voice, I suppose a Minute or two; +and, asking the Interpreter, I was told, that "He was expressing his +Thankfulness to God for the Favours he had received that Day; and +prayed that he would continue to favour him with that same, which he had +experienced in that Meeting." And though PAPUNEHANG had before agreed to +receive the _Moravian_, and join with them, he still appeared kind and +loving to us. + +On the twentieth Day I was at two Meetings, and silent in them. + +The twenty-first Day: This Morning, in Meeting, my Heart was enlarged in +pure Love amongst them, and, in short plain Sentences, I expressed +several Things that rested upon me, which one of the Interpreters gave +the People pretty readily; after which, the Meeting ended in +Supplication, and I had Cause humbly to acknowledge the Loving-kindness +of the Lord towards us; and then I believed that a Door remained open +for the faithful Disciples of Jesus Christ to labour amongst these +People. + +I now feeling my Mind at Liberty to return, 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 Meeting 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: And the _Moravian_ and his +_Indian_ Interpreter appeared respectful to us at parting. This Town +stands on the Bank of _Susquehannah_, and consists, I believe, of about +forty Houses, mostly compact together; some about thirty feet long, and +eighteen wide, some bigger, some less; mostly built of split Plank, one +End set in the Ground, and the other pinned to a Plate, on which lay +Rafters, and 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, that the Waters +were so raised with the Rains, that the Horses should be taken by such +as were better acquainted with the Fording-places: So we, with several +_Indians_, went in the Canoes, and others went on Horses, there being +seven besides ours. And we meeting with the Horsemen once on the Way by +Appointment, and that near Night, a little below a Branch called +_Tankhannah_, we lodged there; and some of the young Men going out a +little before Dusk with their Guns, brought in a Deer. + +On the twenty-second Day, through Diligence, we reached _Wioming_ 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 twenty-third Day in the Morning their Horses were loaded, and we +prepared our Baggage, and so set forward, being in all fourteen; and +with diligent Travelling, were favoured to get near half-way to +_Fort-Allen_. The Land on this Road from _Wioming_ to our Frontier being +mostly poor, and good Grass scarce, they chose a Piece of low Ground to +lodge on, as the best for grazing; and I, having sweated much in +Travelling, and being weary, slept sound; I perceived in the Night that +I had taken Cold, of which I was favoured to get better soon. + +On the twenty-fourth Day we passed _Fort-Allen_, and lodged near it in +the Woods. + +Having forded the westerly Branch of _Delaware_ three Times, we 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 back through the River, and they loaded her with the Burthens +of some small Horses, 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; as +expecting that our being in Company would prevent the outside +Inhabitants from being surprised. + +On the twenty-fifth 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 whom I did not remember to have seen at +Meeting, and some of these, at first, were very reserved; but, we being +several Days together, and behaving friendly toward them, and making +them suitable Returns for the Services they did us, they became more +free and social. + +On the twenty-sixth 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; so we, getting to _Richland_, had a very comfortable +Meeting amongst our Friends: Here I parted with my kind Friend and +Companion, 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: But 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 whatever the Lord might be pleased to allot +for me, would work for Good, I was careful lest I should admit any +Degree of Selfishness in being glad over much, and laboured to improve +by those Trials in such a Manner as my gracious Father and Protector +intends for me. Between the _English_ Inhabitants 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 Rattle-snakes +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_--_His Account of_ JOHN SMITH'S _Advice, and of the + Proceedings of a Committee, 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_--_His + visiting 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_--_His Visit to the lower + Counties on_ Delaware,_ and the eastern Shore of_ Maryland, _in + 1766, in Company with_ JOHN SLEEPER; _with some Account of_ JOSEPH + NICHOLS _and his Followers; and Observations on the different State + of the first Settlers in_ Pennsylvania, _who depended on their own + Labour, and those of the southern Provinces, who kept Negroes_--_His + visiting 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_--_Farther Considerations on keeping Slaves; and 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 +Publick-house, he would shew 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. + +The next Day, I, hearing of it, and understanding that the Shew was to +be continued the next Night, and the People to meet about Sun-set, felt +an Exercise on that Account: So I went to the Publick-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 +content. Then, sitting down by the Door, I spake to the People as they +came together, concerning this Shew; and, more coming and sitting down +with us, the Seats of 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 of Hand, and +bestowing their Money to support Men, who, in that Capacity, were of no +Use in the World, was contrary to the Nature of the _Christian_ +Religion. + +There was one of the Company, who, for a Time, endeavoured, by +Arguments, to shew the Reasonableness of their Proceedings herein; but, +after considering some Texts of Scripture, and calmly debating the +Matter, he gave up the Point. So, having spent about an Hour amongst +them, and feeling my Mind easy, I departed. + +At our Yearly-meeting at _Philadelphia_, on the twenty-fifth Day of the +ninth Month, 1764, JOHN SMITH, of _Marlborough_, aged upwards of eighty +Years, a faithful Minister, though not eloquent, stood up in our Meeting +of Ministers and Elders, and, appearing to be under a great Exercise of +Spirit, informed Friends in Substance as follows: to wit, "That he had +been a Member of the Society upwards 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 conforming 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 of fine costly Garments, and using of +silver (and other) Watches, became customary with them, their Sons and +their Daughters, and many of the Society made a specious 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 powerful Overshadowings of the Holy Ghost were +less manifest in the Society.--That there had been a continued Increase +of these Ways of Life even until now; and that the Weakness which hath +now overspread the Society, and the Barrenness manifest amongst us, are +Matter of much Sorrow." He then mentioned the Uncertainty of his +attending these Meetings in future, expecting his Dissolution was now +near; and, having tenderly expressed his 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 +therein. + +On the twenty-ninth Day, the Committee, appointed by the Yearly-meeting +to visit the Quarterly and Monthly-meetings, now 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 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 spake in Substance as follows: "I have felt a Tenderness in my +Mind, towards Persons, in two Circumstances mentioned in that Report; +that is, toward such active Members as keep Slaves, and such as 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: And the Way of Living, and annual Expences of some of them, +are such, that it seems impracticable 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 Quarterly and +Yearly-meetings, and at some Houses where travelling Friends and their +Horses are often entertained, that the yearly Expence of Individuals +therein is very considerable: And Friends, in some Places, crouding much +on Persons in these Circumstances for Entertainment, hath often 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 informed 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 was 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 Content 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 shewn me, +that a moderate Application to Business is proper to my present +Condition; and that this, attended with his Blessing, may supply all +outward 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 imaginary Wants? Do these +Wants prompt Men to exert their Power in requiring that of others, which +they themselves would rather be excused from, 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 terrible Pains on their Fellow-creatures, and spread +Desolation in the World? + +"Doth 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, O my Soul! 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 +expensive, 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? O! 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 in our Monthly-meeting the Fore-part of the +Winter, 1764; which being agreed to, and several Friends of our Meeting +being 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: And, 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 towards us. + +Having felt my Mind drawn toward a Visit to 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: And, setting off the twenty-fourth Day of the tenth Month, +1765, we 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: And 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 this Exercise, that I believed the +Lord moved me to travel on Foot amongst them, that, by so travelling, I +might have a more lively Feeling of the Condition of the oppressed +Slaves, set an Example of Lowliness before the Eyes of their Masters, +and be more out of the Way of Temptation to unprofitable Converse. + +The Time now drawing near in which I believed it my Duty to lay my +Concern before our Monthly-meeting, I perceived, in Conversation with my +beloved Friend, JOHN SLEEPER, that he was under a Concern to travel the +same Way, and also to travel on Foot in the Form of a Servant amongst +them, as he expressed it. This he told me before 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 Certificates, we set off the sixth Day +of the fifth Month, 1766; and were at Meetings with Friends at +_Wilmington_, _Duck-Creek_, _Little-Creek_, and _Motherkill_; my Heart +being sundry 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 Fellowship with any religious Society of People, but +professeth nearly the same Principles as our Society doth, and often +travels up and down appointing Meetings, to which many People come. I +heard some 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 People 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 Fathers are wanting amongst them: From hence we went to +_Choptank_ and _Third-Haven_; and thence to _Queen Anne's_. The Weather +having some Days past been hot and dry, and we, to attend Meetings +pursuant to Appointment, 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 expected before we came out, I now saw that I had been in Danger +of too strongly desiring to get soon through the Journey, and that this +bodily Weakness, now attending me, 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 _Pennsylvania_ and _Jersey_, from +those who dwell in _Maryland_, _Virginia_, and _Carolina_. +_Pennsylvania_ and _New-Jersey_ were settled by many Friends, who were +convinced of our Principles 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 those Provinces, and of +their numerous Engagements with the Natives, in which much Blood was +shed, even in the Infancy of those Colonies. These People, inhabiting +those Places, being grounded in Customs contrary to the pure Truth, when +some of them were affected with the powerful preaching of the Word of +Life, and joined in Fellowship with our Society, they had a great Work +to go through. It is observable, in the History of the Reformation 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 farther afterward; and thus, each one truly fearing God, and +labouring in those Works of Righteousness appointed for him in his Day, +findeth Acceptance with him: Though, through the Darkness of the Times, +and the Corruption of Manners and Customs, some upright Men 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 Repentance, cease from Oppression, and become like +Fathers to their Servants; shewing, by their Example, a Pattern of +Humility in living, and Moderation in governing, for the Instruction +and Admonition of their oppressing Neighbours; those, without carrying +the Reformation farther, 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 Reformation, have +seen the Necessity of proceeding forward, and not only to instruct +others, by their Example, in governing well, but also to use Means to +prevent their 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 Oppressed) 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 to be their Strength and Support in a +Time of outward Affliction. + +We, passing on, crossed _Chester-River_; and had a Meeting 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 it appeared to me as a small Service, +and that some faithful Messengers will yet have more bitter Cups to +drink in those southern Provinces, for Christ's Sake, 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 thirteenth 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 Visit to Friends in the upper Part of +this Province, having had Drawings of Love in my Heart that Way a +considerable Time: We travelled as far as _Hardwick_; and I had inward +Peace in my Labours of Love amongst them. + +Through the humbling Dispensations of divine Providence, my Mind hath +been brought into a farther 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; and, 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 +twentieth Day of the fourth Month, 1767, I rode to the Ferry opposite to +_Philadelphia_, and from thence walked to WILLIAM HORNE'S, at _Derby_, +that Evening; and next Day pursued my journey alone, and reached +_Concord_ week-day Meeting. + +Discouragements and a Weight of Distress had, at Times, attended me in +this lonesome Walk; through which Afflictions 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 an humble Contrition, and did renewedly +strengthen me to go forward; so 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 baptized 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, through the humbling Power of Truth, I had to admire the +Loving-kindness of the Lord manifested to us! + +On the twenty-sixth Day, I crossed _Susquehannah_; and coming amongst +People in outward Ease and Greatness, 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, respecting my Duty +amongst this People. + +Though travelling on Foot was wearisome to my Body; yet thus travelling +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 grievous 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 Fullness, 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, Sufferings, and Martyrdoms, of the Apostles and +primitive _Christians_, in labouring for the Conversion of the Gentiles, +were livingly revived in me; and, according to the Measure of Strength +afforded, I laboured in some Tenderness of Spirit, being deeply affected +amongst them: And thus the 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 crouded; 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 sanctifying 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 in this Visit, it appeared like a fresh tendering +Visitation in most Places. + +I passed on to the western Quarterly-meeting in _Pennsylvania_; during +the several Days of this Meeting, I was mercifully preserved in an +inward feeling after the Mind of Truth, and my publick Labours tended to +my Humiliation, with which I was content: And, 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 by, was livingly opened before me; +and in treating on it my Heart was enlarged; and it was a baptizing +Time. 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 second 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. And, the +Winter following, I joined Friends on 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 fifth Day of the fifth Month, 1768, I left Home under the +humbling Hand of the Lord, having obtained a Certificate, in order to +visit some Meetings in _Maryland_; and to proceed without a Horse looked +clearest to me. I was at the 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, taking 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 humbling Admiration, when Things +had 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 publick Meetings; so that (I trust) the pure +Witness, in many Minds, was reached. + +The eleventh Day of the sixth Month, 1769. Sundry Cases have happened, +of late Years, within the Limits of our Monthly-meeting, respecting that +of exercising pure Righteousness 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 till thirty Years of Age, +without Wages, on that Account; and with this Custom I so far agreed, +that I, being joined to another Friend, in executing the Will of a +deceased Friend, 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 sometimes, as I have sat in +a 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; when, being under some Concern that I may be +resigned to go on a Visit to some Part of the _West-Indies_, and under +close Engagement of Spirit, seeking to the Lord for Counsel herein, that +of my joining in the Sale aforesaid, came heavily upon me; and my Mind, +for a Time, was covered with Darkness and Sorrow; and, under this sore +Affliction, my Heart was softened to receive Instruction: And here I +first 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 a Part of my Substance to redeem the last Half of +that nine Years; but, as the Time was not yet come, I executed a Bond, +binding 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 provide comfortably for himself. + +The ninth 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 so faithful to the +Teachings of Christ as we ought to have been: And, as my Mind hath been +inward to the Lord, the Purity of Christ's Government hath been opened +in my Understanding; and, under this Exercise, that of Friends being +active in civil Society, in putting Laws in force which are not +agreeable to the Purity of Righteousness, hath, for several Years, been +an increasing Burthen upon me; having 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 to bring +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. + + +CHAPTER X + + _His preparing to visit Friends in_ England--_His embarking 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_--_His Thoughts + in a Storm at Sea: With many instructive Contemplations on the + Voyage_--_And his 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 _Yorkshire_; after weighty Consideration, I +thought it expedient to inform Friends, at our Monthly-meeting at +_Burlington_, of it; who, having Unity with me therein, gave me a +Certificate; and I afterward communicated the same to our +Quarterly-meeting, and they likewise certified their Concurrence +therewith. Some Time after which, 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; with which they likewise +signified their Unity by a Certificate, dated the twenty-fourth Day of +the third Month, 1772, directed to Friends in _Great-Britain_. + +In the fourth Month following, I thought the Time was come for me to +make some Enquiry for a suitable Conveyance; being apprehensive that, as +my Concern was principally toward the northern Parts of _England_, it +would be most proper to go in a Vessel bound to _Liverpool_ or +_Whitehaven_: And, while I was at _Philadelphia_, deliberating on this +Occasion, I was informed, that my beloved Friend, SAMUEL EMLEN, jun., +intending to go to _London_, and having taken a Passage for himself in +the Cabbin of a 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 Draught 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 appeared glad that I had Thoughts 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 in the Cabbin, a +commodious Room, and then into the Steerage; where we sat down on a +Chest, the Sailors being busy about us: Then the Owner of the Ship came, +and sat down with us. + +Here my Mind was turned toward Christ, the heavenly Counsellor; and I +feeling, at this Time, my own Will subjected, my Heart was contrite +before him. + +A Motion was made, by the Owner, to go and sit in the Cabbin, as a Place +more retired; but I felt easy to leave 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. + +I went to my Lodgings, and 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 with two Friends on board the Vessel again; 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 only, I opened my Exercise, in +relation to a Scruple with regard to a Passage in the Cabbin. + +After this I agreed for a Passage in the Steerage; and, hearing in Town +that JOSEPH WHITE had a Desire to see me, I felt the Reviving of a +Desire to see him, and went then to his House, and 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 concerned for me, on Account of the unpleasant Situation +of that Part of the Vessel where I was likely to lodge. + +Having stayed two Nights in _Philadelphia_, I went the next Day to +_Derby_ Monthly-meeting; where, through the Strength of divine Love, my +Heart was enlarged toward the Youth then present; under which I was +helped to labour in some Tenderness of Spirit. Then, lodging at WILLIAM +HORNE'S, I, with one Friend, went to _Chester_; where, meeting with +SAMUEL EMLEN, we went on board, the first Day of the fifth Month, 1772; +and, as I sat down alone, on a Seat on the Deck, I felt a satisfactory +Evidence that my Proceedings were not in my own Will, but under the +Power of the Cross of Christ. + +Seventh Day of the fifth Month. We 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, were 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 Cabbin-Passengers toward me: We were often together on the Deck, and +sometimes in the Cabbin. + +My Mind, through the merciful Help of the Lord, hath been preserved in a +good Degree, watchful and inward; and I have, this Day, great Cause to +be thankful, in that I remain to feel Quietness of Mind. + +As my lodging in the Steerage, now near a Week, hath afforded me sundry +Opportunities of seeing, hearing, and feeling, with respect to the Life +and Spirit of many poor Sailors, an inward Exercise of Soul hath +attended me, in regard to placing our Children and Youth where they may +be likely to be exampled and instructed in the pure Fear of the Lord; +and I, being much amongst the Seamen, have, from a Motion of Love, +sundry 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: And this Day we had a Meeting in the Cabbin, where my Heart +was contrite under a Feeling of divine Love. + +Now, concerning Lads being trained up as Seamen; I believe a +Communication from one Part of the World to some other Parts of it, by +Sea, 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 hath a Conveyance! how great +is that Danger, to which poor Lads are now exposed, when placed on +shipboard to learn the Art of sailing! + +O! that all may take Heed and beware of Covetousness! O that all may +learn of Christ, who was meek and low of Heart! Then, 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. + +Rising to work in the Night is not commonly pleasant in any case; but, +in dark rainy Nights, it is very disagreeable, even though each Man were +furnished with all Conveniences: 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 something 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, and come +down into the Steerage soaking wet, and are so close stowed that proper +Convenience for change of Garment is not easily come at, but for Want of +proper Room, their wet Garments are thrown in Heaps, and sometimes, +through much crouding, are trodden under Foot in going to their Lodgings +and getting out of them, and they have great Difficulties, at Times, +each one to find his own, here are Trials on the poor Sailors. + +Now, as I have been with them in my Lodge, my Heart hath often yearned +for them, and tender Desires have been raised in me, that all Owners and +Masters of Vessels may dwell in the Love of God, and therein act +uprightly; and, by seeking 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 Convenience. + +Great Reformation in the World is wanting; and the Necessity of it, +amongst these who do Business on great Waters, hath, at this Time, been +abundantly opened before me. + +The eighth Day of the fifth Month. This Morning the Clouds gathered, the +Wind blew strong from South-eastward, and before Noon increased to that +Degree that Sailing appeared 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 Cabbin-Windows, and lighted a Lamp as +at Night. + +The Wind now blew vehemently, and the Sea wrought to that Degree, that +an awful Seriousness prevailed in the Cabbin, 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 crouded Steerage, and the +Cabbin-Passengers had given me frequent Invitations. + +They ceased now from Sailing, and put the Vessel in the Posture called, +lying-to. + +My Mind, in 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 extensive, that a +Sparrow falls not without his Notice; and thus, in a tender Frame of +Mind, spake to them of the Necessity of our yielding, in true Obedience, +to the Instructions of our heavenly Father, who sometimes, through +Adversities, intendeth our Refinement. + +About eleven at Night I went out on the Deck, when the Sea wrought +exceedingly, and the high-foaming Waves, all round about, 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 the Deck; and, though he said little, I apprehended his Care +was, that the Carpenter, with his axe, might be in Readiness, in case of +any Extremity. + +Soon after this, the Vehemency of the Wind abated; and, before Morning, +they again put the Ship under Sail. + +The tenth Day of the Month, and first of the Week, it being fine +Weather, we had a Meeting in the Cabbin, at which most of the Seamen +were present: This Meeting to me was a strengthening Time. + +The thirteenth Day of the Month. As I continue to lodge in the Steerage, +I feel an Openness this Morning, to express something farther of the +State of my Mind, in Respect to poor 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 everlasting 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 prophane; so great is the present Defect amongst Seafaring +Men, in regard to Piety and Virtue: And, through an abundant Traffic, +and many Ships of War, so many People are employed on the Sea, that this +Subject of placing Lads to the Employment appears very weighty. + +Prophane Examples are very corrupting, and very forcible. And as my +Mind, Day after Day, and Night after Night, hath been affected with a +sympathizing Tenderness toward poor Children, put to the Employment of +Sailors, I have sometimes had weighty Conversation with the Sailors in +the Steerage, who were mostly respectful to me, and more and more so the +longer I was with them: They mostly appeared to take kindly what I said +to them; but their Minds have appeared to be so deeply impressed with +that almost universal Depravity amongst Sailors, that the poor +Creatures, in their Answers to me on this Subject, have revived in my +Remembrance that of the degenerate _Jews_ a little before the Captivity, +as repeated by JEREMIAH the Prophet, "There is no Hope." + +Now, 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, has now appeared +necessary: He alone is able to strengthen us to dig deep, to remove all +which lies between us and the safe Foundation, and so 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 Desires; 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! + +The sixteenth Day of the Month. Wind for several Days past often high, +what the Sailors call squally, rough Sea and frequent Rains. This last +Night a very trying Night to the poor Seamen: The Water, chief Part of +the Night, running over the main Deck, and sometimes Breaking-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 Seas, renewedly wrought in me; whose +fatherly Care over his Children felt precious to my Soul: And Desires +were now renewed in me, to embrace 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 universal +Righteousness on the Earth. The Opportunities were frequent of hearing +Conversation amongst the Sailors, in respect to the Voyages to _Africa_, +and the Manner of bringing the deeply-oppressed Slaves into our Islands. +The Thoughts of their Condition, frequently in Chains and Fetters on +board the Vessels, with Hearts loaded with Grief, under the +Apprehensions of miserable Slavery; my Mind was frequently opened to +meditate on these Things. + +On the seventeenth Day of the Month, and first of the Week, we had a +Meeting in the Cabbin; 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 may be 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, hath begotten Thankfulness in my Heart to +our great Helper. + +On the twenty-fourth Day of the Month, and first of the Week, a clear +pleasant Morning: And, as I sat on Deck, I felt a Reviving 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 difficult; so that a little +after the rising of the second Watch (which is about Midnight) I got up, +and stood, I believe, near an Hour, with my Face near the Hatchway, to +get the fresh Air at the small Vacancy under the Hatch-door; which is +commonly shut down, partly to keep out Rain, and sometimes 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 have looked at the present Dispensation as +a Kindness from the great Father of Mankind, who, in this my floating +Pilgrimage, is in some Degree bringing me to feel that, which many +thousands of my Fellow-creatures often suffer in a greater Degree. + +My Appetite failing, the Trial hath been the heavier; and I have felt +tender Breathings in my Soul after God, the Fountain of Comfort, whose +inward Help hath supplied, at Times, the Want of outward Convenience: +And strong Desires have attended me, that his Family, who are acquainted +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, shew forth Examples, tending to lead out of +that under which the Creation groans! + +This Day we had a Meeting in the Cabbin; 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 +Distress;" for which, my Heart is bowed in Thankfulness before him! + +The twenty-eighth Day of the Month.--Wet Weather of late, small Winds +inclining to Calms: Our Seamen have cast a Lead, I suppose about one +hundred Fathoms, but find 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 Government 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 heavenly Counsellor, may example them in the Truth, as +it is in Jesus;--this, for several Days, hath been the Exercise of my +Mind. O! 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 perfect 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. + +In an entire Subjection of our Wills the Lord graciously 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, without 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 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 purifieth not himself with +the Water of Separation, he defileth the Tabernacle of the Lord; he is +unclean." _Numb._ xix. 13. + +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 infinite 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 purifying 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 was not agreeable to his holy Will: And I have +felt a renewed Confirmation, in the Time of this Voyage, that the Lord, +in his infinite 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 understand 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 a Will in us to go forward +in it. As long as this natural Will remains unsubjected, so long there +remains 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 outward Circumstances, may be to us as the _Jews_ were +to the _Samaritans_. Who is my Neighbour? 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 Reformation of our Lives, wherein all +Things are new, and all 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, "fervent in Spirit, serving the Lord;" +_Rom._ xii. 11. here the Name is opened: "This is the Name by which he +shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." _Jerem._ xxiii. 6. O! how +precious is this Name! it is like Ointment poured out. The chaste +Virgins are in Love with the Redeemer; and, for the promoting 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 Employments they become extensively careful to give none +Offence, neither to _Jews_ nor _Heathen_, nor the Church of Christ. + +On the thirty-first Day of the Month, and first of the Week, we had a +Meeting in the Cabbin, with near all the Ship's Company; the Whole being +near thirty. In this Meeting, the Lord, in Mercy, favoured us with the +Extendings of his Love. + +The second Day of the sixth Month. Last Evening the Seamen found Bottom +at about seventy Fathoms. + +This Morning, fair Wind, and pleasant. 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 a humble Dependence on him, my Soul +might be strengthened in his Love, and kept inwardly waiting for his +Counsel. + +This Afternoon we saw that Part of _England_ called the _Lizard_. + +Some Dunghill-fowls yet remained of those the Passengers took for their +Sea-store; 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 to that of caring for the +Sparrows; and 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 in us, that we do not lessen that Sweetness of Life, in the animal +Creation, which the great Creator intends for them in our Government. + +The fourth Day of the Month. About Noon a Pilot came off from _Dover_; +where my beloved Friend, SAMUEL EMLEN, went on Shore, and thence to +_London_; but I felt easy in staying in the Ship. + +The seventh Day of the Month, and first of the Week. 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. We had a +Head-Wind up the _Thames_; lay sometimes at Anchor; 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 on the People +employed on the Seas, so affected my Heart, that I cannot easily convey +the Feeling I have had to another. + + +CHAPTER XI + + _His attending the Yearly-meeting in_ London; _and, after it, + proceeding towards_ Yorkshire, _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; _with some instructive Thoughts and Observations, + and Letters on divers Subjects_--_His hearing of the Decease of_ + WILLIAM HUNT; _and some Account of him_--_His Sickness at_ York; + _and End of his Pilgrimage there_ + +On the eighth Day of the sixth Month, 1772, we landed at _London_; and I +went straightway to the Yearly-meeting 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 of +publick Worship; and I felt my Mind united in true Love to the faithful +Labourers now gathered at this Yearly-meeting. + +On the fifteenth Day of the Month, I left _London_, and went to a +Quarterly-meeting at _Hertford_. + +The first Day of the seventh Month. I have been at Quarterly-meetings at +_Sherrington_, _Northampton_, _Banbury_, and _Shipston_; and had sundry +Meetings between: My Mind hath been bowed under a Sense of divine +Goodness manifested amongst us; my Heart hath been often enlarged in +true Love, both amongst Ministers and Elders, and in publick Meetings; +that through the Lord's Goodness, I believe it hath been a fresh +Visitation to many, in particular to the Youth. + +The seventeenth Day of the Month. Was this Day at _Birmingham_: Have +been at Meetings at _Coventry_, _Warwick_, in _Oxfordshire_, and sundry +other Places; 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 twenty-sixth Day of the Month. I have continued travelling +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 in a Friend's House with Friends Children +and some Friends; this, through the strengthening Arm of the Lord, was a +Time to be thankfully remembered. + +The second Day of the eighth Month, and first of the Week. Was this Day +at _Sheffield_, a large inland Town: Have been at sundry Meetings last +Week; and feel inward Thankfulness for that divine Support, which hath +been graciously extended to me. + +The ninth Day of the Month, and first of the Week, was at _Rushworth_: +Have lately passed through some painful Labour; but have been comforted, +under a Sense of that divine Visitation, which I feel extended toward +many young People. + +The sixteenth Day of the Month, and first of the Week, I was at +_Settle_: It hath of late been a Time of inward Poverty; under which my +Mind hath been preserved in a watchful tender State, feeling for the +Mind of the holy Leader, and I find Peace in the Labours I have passed +through. + +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 Traffick, carried on in impure Channels. +Great is the Trade to _Africa_ for Slaves! and, in loading these Ships, +abundance 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, 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 our 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; 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; and 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 example in a +plain frugal Life, and pay Wages, to such as they may hire, more +liberally than is now customary in some Places. + +The twenty-third 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 hath +opened for Conversation with such in private, in which Divine Goodness +hath favoured us together with heart-tendering Times. + +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 _Greyrig_ Meeting the thirtieth 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 sixth Day of the ninth Month, and first of the Week. Was this Day at +_Counterside_, a large Meeting-house, and very full; and, through the +Opening of pure Love, it was a strengthening Time to me, and (I believe) +to many more. + +The thirteenth Day of the Month. Was this Day at _Richmond_, 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 ninth Day of the ninth Month, Instant, of the +Small-pox, 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 publick Testimony, that his +Concern was (in that Visit) to be devoted 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. + +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 as +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 experience the renewing thereof, in the Appointment of +Meetings. + +I felt a Concern, in _America_, to prepare for this Voyage; and, being, +through the Mercy of God, brought safe 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-course, where a Weight of Water lay upon it; and in these Labours +there appeared a fresh Visitation to many, especially 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 Creature; and herein I was united with the +suffering Seed, and found inward Sweetness with 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 Meetings, not wholly, +but in Part; and I do not feel Liberty to appoint them so quick one +after another as I have heretofore. + +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 O! how great is the Danger of departing from the pure +Feeling of that which leadeth safely! + +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 themselves have Need of +purging. + +O! 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 +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. + +Now I find that, in the pure Obedience, the Mind learns Contentment, 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 attending thereto, the +Understanding is preserved clear: Self is kept out. 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 Attention 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 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 Visits, came to the City of _York_, and attended +most of the Sittings of the Quarterly-meeting there; but, before it was +over, was taken ill of the Small-pox. Our Friend, THOMAS PRIESTMAN, and +others who attended him, preserved the following Minutes of his +Expressions in the Time of his Sickness and of his Decease. + +First-day, the twenty-seventh of the ninth Month, 1772. His Disorder +appeared to be the Small-pox. + +Second-day. He said he felt the Disorder to affect his Head, so that he +could think little, and but as a Child. + +Third-day he uttered the following Prayer.--O 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 shewed to us in the +most affecting Example of thy Son, and thou taughtest 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 do not 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 must be +hard to bear; but, if he escaped them now, he must sometime 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, 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 +provided for. And a little after said, This Trial is made easier than I +could have thought, my Will being wholly taken away; for if I were +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 something to drink, he said, +My Child, thou seemest very kind to me, a poor Creature, the Lord will +reward thee for it. A While after he cried out with great Earnestness of +Spirit, O my Father! my Father! and soon after he said, O 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 +replied, 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 excuse me from Exercises of this Kind; and 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 whatever 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 Whirlwind 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 nor 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 +DEWSBERRY, and he saw the different States of the People, as clear as he +had ever seen Flowers in a Garden; but in his going along he was +suddenly stopt, though he could not see for what End; but, looking +towards Home, fell into a Flood of Tears which waked him. + +At another Time he said, My Draught seemed strongest 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 Distress, What shall I do now? He answered with +great Composure, Rejoice evermore, and in every Thing give Thanks; but +added a little after, this is sometimes hard to come at. + +Sixth-day-morning, he broke forth early in Supplication on this wise: O +Lord! it was thy Power that enabled me to forsake Sin in my Youth, and I +have felt thy Bruises for Disobedience; but, as I bowed under them, thou +didst heal 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 stedfast unto thee.----Upon his giving Directions to a Friend +concerning some little Things, she said, I will take Care, but hope thou +wilt 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 it so happen, 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 faithful 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, perceiving a Friend to weep, +he said, I would rather thou wouldst guard against weeping for me, my +Sister; I sorrow not, though I have had some painful Conflicts; but 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, fourth 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 relieved 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 he thought it might, he spoke with an audible Voice on +this wise:--My Dependance 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 trying 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, 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 + + + + +THE LAST EPISTLE & OTHER WRITINGS OF JOHN WOOLMAN + + +THE 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 frequently +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, did visit 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 Light_, Mat. vi. 22. +but for want of this, selfish Desires, and an imaginary Superiority, +darken the Mind; hence Injustice frequently proceeds; and where this is +the Case, to convince the Judgment, is the most effectual Remedy. + +Where violent Measures are pursued in opposing Injustice, 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 +acquainted 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_, John iii. 21. and under Oppression persevere in the +meek Spirit, and abide firm in the Cause of Truth, without actively +complying with oppressive Demands, through those the Lord hath often +manifested his Power, in opening the Understandings of others, to the +promoting Righteousness 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_, Isaiah ii. 4. 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 prevalent, 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 ON PURE WISDOM AND HUMAN POLICY + + +To have our Trust settled in the Lord, and not to seek after, nor 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 trusteth +in 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 Contentment 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 Engagement, that every Desire which leads therefrom may be brought +to Judgment. + +While we proceed in this precious Way, and find ardent 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 I have considered that Saying of Christ, _Mat._ vi. 19, _Lay not up +for yourselves Treasures upon Earth_, his Omnipotence hath often +occurred to my Mind. + +While we believe that he is every where present with his People, and +that perfect Goodness, Wisdom and Power are united in him, how +comfortable is the Consideration. + +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 dangerous 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_, Phil. iii. 10. 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 concerned, according to +their Measure, _to fill up that which is behind of the Afflictions of +Christ_, Col. i. 24. in patiently suffering for the promoting +Righteousness in the Earth; but have an Eye toward the Power of Men, and +the outward Advantage of Wealth, these are often attentive to those +Employments which appear profitable, even though the Gains arise from +such Trade and Business which proceeds 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 those Difficulties. + +To such I may say, in the feeling of our Heavenly 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 +Expence 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 Resemblance 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 opposite Vices, is good in itself, and hath a Resemblance of +Wisdom; but while People thus provident, have it principally 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 into 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 is often applied otherwise; nor can we depart from +the Leadings of our Holy Shepherd, without going into Confusion. + +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 apprehend, 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 beneath, and 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 Adversities, superior +to the greatest outward Helps, 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 the better enables us to judge rightly respecting 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_, Mat. vi. 26. nor do I believe that Infinite +Goodness and Power would have allotted 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 Consideration. + +Idle Men are often a Burden to themselves, neglect the Duty they owe to +their Families, and become burdensome 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, hath a contrary Effect. + +I have observed, that too much Labour not only makes the Understanding +dull, but so intrudes upon the Harmony 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 proceeds immoderate Sweats, +which do often, I believe, open the Way for Disorders, and impair our +Constitutions. + +When we go beyond the true Medium, and feel Weariness 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 which we should endeavour to live +in. + +Thus toiling in the Heat, and drinking strong Liquor, makes Men more +resolute, and less considerate, and tends very much to disqualify from +successfully following him who is meek and low of Heart. + +As laying out Business, more 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 too much strong Drink is often used, and +hereby many proceed to Noise and Wantonness, and some, though more +considerate, do often suffer Loss, as to a true Composedness of Mind. + +I feel sincere Desires in my Heart that no Rent, nor Interest, might be +laid so high as to be a Snare to Tenants. 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 lamentably neglected by many, who assign them +their Portion 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 to promoting the +Slave-trade, and to speak as favourably as may be, with regard to +continuing those in Bondage who are amongst us, we cannot say there is +no Partiality in it; for whatever Tenderness may be manifested by +Individuals in their Life-time towards them, yet for People to be +transmitted from a Man to his Posterity, in the helpless Condition of +Slaves, appears inconsistent with the Nature of the Gospel 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 unexperienced Men, who know +but little about the Weakness of old Age, nor understand the Language of +declining Life. + +Where Parents give their Estates to their Children, and then depend on +them for a Maintainance, they sometimes meet with great Inconveniences; +but if the Power of Possession, thus obtained, doth often reverse 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 find themselves destitute of those +comfortable Accommodations, 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 unsympathising 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 Oppressed_, Psalm ix. 9. + + +ON SCHOOLS + +_Suffer the 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 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 of 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, _All their Works which they +do is for to be seen of Men_, Mat. xxiii. 5. + +That Divine Light which enlightens all Men, I believe, does often shine +in the Minds of Children very early, and to humbly wait for Wisdom, that +our Conduct toward them may tend to forward their Acquaintance with it, +and 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 Measures 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 in an humble waiting for the Leadings of Truth, but follow +the Maxims of the Wisdom of this World, such Children who are under +their Tuition, appear to me to be in Danger of imbibing Thoughts, and +Apprehensions, reverse to that Meekness, and Lowliness of Heart, which +is necessary for all the true Followers of Christ. + +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 such, whose Minds we believe are not rightly prepared to +_train them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord_, we are in +Danger 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 such 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 +Conversation of such Children who do not live in Innocence, it is a Case +much to be lamented. + +While a pious Tutor hath 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 outward +Learning, but to open their Understandings with respect to the true +_Christian_ Life; but where a Person hath 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 Omission 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 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 +such 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 Children, there is Danger of Disorders gradually increasing +amongst them, till 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 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 hath, +at Times, been affected with Sorrow, and under these Exercises it hath +appeared to me, that if those who have large Estates, were faithful +Stewards, and laid no Rent, nor Interest, nor other Demands, higher than +is consistent with universal Love; and those in lower Circumstances +would, under a moderate Employ, shun unnecessary Expence, 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. + + +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, those Approaches to him are obstructed, and the deceivable +Spirit gains Strength. + +These Truths, being as it were engraven upon our Hearts, and our +everlasting Interest in Christ evidently concerned herein, 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_, Col. iii. 17. + +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 mixeth 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. And as the Minds of People +are settled in a steady Concern, not to hold nor possess any Thing but +what may be held consistent with the Wisdom 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 agreeable to the Nature of +the peaceable Government of Christ. + +A little supports such a Life; and in a State truly resigned 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 launching 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 doth suffice. + +Here the real Comforts of Life are not lessened. Moderate 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 Content and Gratitude. + +The mutual Love, subsisting between the faithful Followers of Christ, is +more pure than that Friendship which is not seasoned with Humility, how +specious soever the Appearance. + +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 procuring Delicacies. + +In beholding how the true Calmness of Life is changed into Hurry, and +that many, by eagerly pursuing outward Treasure, are in great Danger of +withering 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 the promoting an +humble, plain, temperate Way of living. A Life where no unnecessary +Care, nor Expences, may incumber our Minds, nor lessen our Ability to do +Good; where no Desires after Riches, or Greatness, may lead into hard +Dealing; where no Connections with worldly-minded Men, may abate our +Love to God, nor 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 beat into Plowshares, and +Spears into pruning Hooks, and that Nation shall not lift up Sword +against Nation, nor learn War any more_; he immediately 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_, +Isaiah ii. 5. + +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 Traffick, which _is not of the Father, +but of the World_, 1 John ii. 16 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, does necessarily require a Support, which pure Wisdom does +not provide for; 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_, Titus ii. 14. Ephes. v. 11. 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_, Mat. vi. 32. + +These Things which he beholds 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 these Things which he knoweth that we have need of_. + +As my Meditations have been on these Things, Compassion hath filled my +Heart toward my Fellow Creatures, involved in Customs, grown up in _the +Wisdom of this World, which is Foolishness with God_, 1 Cor. iii. 19. +And O 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 unfailing 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 +content with a plain, simple Way of living, do yet find that to conduct +the Affairs of a Family, without giving Countenance to unrighteous +Proceedings, or having Fellowship with Works of Darkness, the most +diligent Care is necessary. + +If Customs, distinguishable from universal Righteousness, 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 expensive +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. + +By JOHN WOOLMAN + + _And the Remnant of_ Jacob _shall be in the midst of many People, + as the Dew from the Lord, as the Showers upon the Grass, that + tarrieth not for Man, nor waiteth for the Sons of Men_, Micah v. 7. + + _LONDON_: + Re-printed by MARY HINDE. + + +THE INTRODUCTION + +As Mankind 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 is it that the professed Followers of +Christ keep sacred his Holy Name, and be employed about Trade and +Traffick no farther than Justice and Equity evidently accompanies? 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 Knowledge of God, and his Son Jesus Christ, +amongst our Fellow Creatures, which through his infinite Love some feel +to be more precious than any other Treasure. + + +CONSIDERATIONS ON THE TRUE HARMONY OF MANKIND &c. + + +CHAPTER I + + _On serving the Lord in our outward Employments_ + +Under the 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 +Harmony, 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 Understanding in the Fear of the +Lord, and qualify 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. + +And 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 Leadings 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 +hath all Power in Heaven and in Earth; and though a Woman may forget her +sucking Child, yet will he not forget his faithful Ones. + +The Condition of many who dwell in Cities hath often 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 Life, 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 the +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 Kingdom of +Christ on Earth as it is in Heaven. + +Now if we indulge a Desire to imitate our Neighbours in those Things +which harmonise 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 Departure from that pure Feeling of Truth, which if +faithfully attended to, would teach Contentment 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_ Prim. +_Christi._ 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 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 Curiosity." 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, till 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 graciously +points out the Danger of departing therefrom, by going into unsuitable +Employments; this he represents in the Similitude of Offence from that +useful active Member, the Hand; and to fix the Instruction the deeper, +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 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 Trial, 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. + +And I may here add, that at Times, when I have felt true Love open my +Heart towards my Fellow Creatures, and being 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 here 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 tho' some have been affected with a Sense of their +Difficulties, and 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 O what Longings 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 Christ is in the Light, we shall have +Fellowship one with another, and the Blood of Christ will cleanse 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 +Sin_. + +Walking is a Phrase frequently used in Scripture, to represent our +Journey thro' Life, and appears to comprehend 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 this Foundation is laid, and mutually kept to, by +Families conversant with each other, the Way is open for these Comforts +in Society, which our Heavenly Father intends as a Part of our Happiness +in this World; and then 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 absolute Power over them, or otherwise laying on them +unequitable 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 +Righteousness: 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 Partakers of her Sins, +and that ye receive not of her Plagues_. Rev. xv. 3, 4. 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_. Gen. xi. 4. In departing from an humble Trust in God, and +following a selfish Spirit, People have Intentions to get the upperhand +of their Fellow Creatures, privately meditate on Means to obtain their +Ends, 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 Abundance of her Delicacies_. Rev. xviii. 3. + +And it is remarkable in this Call, that the Language from the Father of +Mercies is, my People, _Come out of_ Babylon _my People_. Thus his +tender Mercies are toward us 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_. Zeph. iii. 9. + +Happy for them 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 painful, yet as we bow in true Humility, and continue in it, +an Evidence is felt that God only is wise; and that in weaning us from +all that is selfish he prepares the Way to a quiet Habitation, where all +our Desires are bounded by his Wisdom. And 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._ Luke xxii. 27. + +Thus in a World greatly disordered, where Men aspiring to outward +Greatness were wont to oppress others to support their Designs, he who +was of the highest Descent, 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 Shew of outward Greatness, +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 also 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 Mon. Page 1177. + + +CHAPTER II + + _On the Example of CHRIST_ + +As my Mind hath 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; 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 sympathize with them. + +It was 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 Product of it. + +Now 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 is 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 Example 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 not deficient in +looking for the Helpless, who lay in Obscurity, nor did he save any +Thing to render himself honourable amongst 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 being the Son of him who +is greater than Earthly Princes, yet became a Companion to poor, +sincere-hearted Men; and though he gave the clearest Evidence that +Divine Power attended him, yet the most unfavourable Constructions were +framed by a self-righteous People; those 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 till 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 sincere, +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 human 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 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, declineth to plead in his own +Defence, _but as a Sheep that is dumb before the Shearer_, so under many +Accusations, Revilings, and Buffetings, remained silent. And though he +signified to _Peter_, that he had Access to Power sufficient 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 he, like some vile Criminal, _led as a +Lamb to the Slaughter_. Under these heavy Trials (tho' poor unstable +_Pilate_ was convinced of his Innocence, yet) the People generally +looked upon him as a Deceiver, a Blasphemer, and the approaching +Punishment as a just Judgment upon him; _They esteemed him smitten of +God and afflicted._ So great had been the Surprize of his Disciples, at +his being taken by armed Men, that they _forsook 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, laboured as their Advocate, and in the Deeps of Affliction, +with an unconquerable Patience, cried out, _Father, forgive them, they +know not what they do!_ + +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 promote, 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, +_may be done on Earth as it is in Heaven_. Strong are the Desires I +often feel, that this Holy Profession may remain unpolluted, and 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_ MERCHANDIZING + +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 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 Disintanglement from those Snares which attends +the Love of Money; and where the faithful Friends of Christ are so +situated that Merchandize appears to be their Duty, they feel a +Restraint from proceeding 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_, 2 Cor. v. +15. Thus they are taught, not only to keep to a moderate 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_ spake 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_, Isa. lxiii. 10. And +the Apostle, after mentioning the Mystery of Christ's Sufferings, +exhorts, _Be ye Holy in all Manner of Conversation_, 1 Pet. i. 15. There +is a Conversation necessary in Trade; and there is a Conversation so +foreign from the Nature of Christ's Kingdom, that it is represented in +the Similitude of one Man pushing another with a warlike Weapon; _There +is that speaketh like the Piercings of a Sword_, Prov. xii. 18. Now in +all our Concerns 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_, Exod. xxiii. 13, that nothing 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 Inhabitants of a +Country, there is a certain Reproach attends those Individuals amongst +them, who manifestly deviate therefrom. But where Iniquity is committed +openly, and the Authors of it are not brought to Justice, nor put to +Shame, their Hands grow strong. Thus the general Corruption of the +_Jews_ shortly before their State was broke up by the _Chaldeans_, is +described by their Boldness in Impiety; for as their Leaders were +connected together in Wickedness they strengthened one another, and grew +confident; _Were they ashamed when they had committed Abominations? Nay, +they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush_, Jer. vi. 15, 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 +rejoicest_, Jer. xi. 15. + +Now the faithful Friends of Christ, who hunger and thirst after +Righteousness, and inwardly breathe that his Kingdom may come on Earth +as it is in Heaven, he teacheth them 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_, Jer. xiii. 6, 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 unacceptable; +and from those esteemed Leaders of the People may be 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; and O how +necessary it is, to consider the Weight of a Holy Profession! + +The Conduct of some formerly gave Occasion of Complaint against them; +_Thou hast defiled thy Sanctuaries by the Multitude of thine Iniquities, +by the Iniquity of thy Traffick_, Ezek. xxviii. 18, 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, and speak uprightly._ By +_walking_ 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 express'd himself; +_Thou shall not follow a Multitude to do Evil, nor speak in a Cause to +decline after many to wrest Judgment_, Exod. xxiii. 2. + +He goes on to shew their Firmness in Equity; representing them as +Persons superior to all the Arts of getting Money, which have not +Righteousness for their Foundation; _They despise the Gain of +Oppressions_: And further shews 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 shedding 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's stopping his Ears to prevent a Sound from entering his Head; _They +stop their Ears from hearing Blood_: And where they know that Wickedness +is committed, he points out with Care, that they do not by an unguarded +Friendship with the Authors of it, appear like unconcerned Lookers on, +but as People so deeply affected with Sorrow, 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 devouring Fire? Who amongst us shall +dwell with everlasting Burnings? He that walketh righteously and +speaketh uprightly. 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_, Isa. xxxiii. +15. + +He proceeds in the Spirit of Prophecy to shew how the Faithful, being +supported under Temptations, would be preserved from that Defilement +that 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 points out the Stability and Firmness of their Condition; _His Place +of Defence shall be the Munition of Rocks_; and that under all the +outward Appearances of Loss, in denying himself of gainful Profits for +Righteousness Sake, yet through the Care of him who provides for the +Sparrows, he should have a Supply answerable to his 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 +Understanding is opened, to behold the peaceable harmonious 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 eternal in the Heavens_, they with an eye divinely open +_shall behold the Land that is very far off_. + +_He shall dwell on high, his Place of Defence shall be the Munition of +Rocks, Bread shall be given him, his Waters shall be sure. Thine Eyes +shall see the King in his Beauty; they shall behold the Land that is +very far off_, Isa. xxxiii. 16. + +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_, Isa. xxvi. 8. + +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 a 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_, Isa. lxvi. 18. 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_, Malachi i. 11. + +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_, Psal. ii. 8. That _he was given for a Light to the_ +Gentiles; _and for Salvation to the Ends of the Earth_, Isa. xlix. 6. + +When we meditate on this divine Work, as a Work of Ages; a Work that the +Prophets felt long before Christ appeared visibly on Earth, and remember +the bitter Agonies 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 on this marvellous Work, as that which _the Angels +desire to look into_, 1 Pet. i. 12. 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 indifferent +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, take hold of 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 mournful 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 the promoting of it in +the Earth. + +_Policarp_, who was reputed a Disciple of the Apostle _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! O God of the Angels and Powers, and of every living Creature, +and of all Sorts of just Men which 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 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 +everlasting 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, he 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 Mon. 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. See Introduction to his Works. + +I mention these as a few Examples, out of many of the powerful +Operations 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 Government opened in +their Understandings, how loud is that Call wherewith we are called to +Faithfulness; that in following 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_ is become hateful to many of the _Heathen_. + +When _Gehazi_ had obtained Treasures which the Prophet 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 a +specious Living. + +_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_, 2 Kings v. 26. And 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 eat the +Roots, that the Surface, being loosened from the Soil beneath, might be +taken off in great Sheets. + +These Kind of devouring Creatures appearing seldom, and coming in such +Multitudes, their Generation appears different from most other Reptiles, +and by the Prophet were call'd _God's Army sent amongst the People_, +Joel ii. 25. + +There have been Tempests of Hail, which have very much destroyed the +Grain where they extended. Through long Drought in Summer, Grain in some +Places hath been less than half the usual Quantity;[1] 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 languished; and with Reverence my Mind +hath been turned towards him, who being perfect in Goodness, in Wisdom +and Power, doeth all Things right. And after long Drought, when the Sky +hath grown dark with a Collection of Matter, and Clouds like Lakes of +Water hung over our Heads, from whence the thirsty Land hath 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 give striking Admonitions, that we do +not misapply those Gifts, in which an Almighty Power is exerted, in +bestowing them upon us. + +[Footnote 1: When Crops fail. I often feel a tender Care that the Case +of poor Tenants may be mercifully considered.] + +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 behold +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 no +more venture to use, or apply his Gifts, in a Way contrary to pure +Wisdom. + +Should we continue to reject those merciful Admonitions, 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 Distress than hath +yet been felt by these Provinces; with what sorrow of Heart might we +meditate on that Subject, _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 forsaken the Lord thy God, and that my Fear is +not in thee, saith the Lord of Hosts_, Jer. ii. 17, 19. + +My Mind hath often been affected with Sorrow, in beholding a wrong +Application of the Gifts of our Heavenly Father; and those Expressions +concerning the Defilement of the Earth have been opened to my +Understanding; _The Earth was corrupt before God, and the Earth was +filled with Violence_, Gen. vi. 11. Again, Isaiah xxiv. 5. _The Earth +also is defiled under the Inhabitants thereof._ + +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_,[2] Jer. ii. 34. + +[Footnote 2: See a _Caution and Warning to Great Britain and her +Colonies_ Page 31.] + +When Blood shed unrighteously remains unatoned for, and the Inhabitants +are not effectually 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 polluted with Blood, _Deut_. xxi. 6. + +Moreover, when the Earth is planted and tilled, and the Fruits brought +forth are applied to support unrighteous Purposes; here the gracious +Design of infinite Goodness, 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_, Isaiah xliii. 24. + + + + +AN EPISTLE TO THE QUARTERLY AND MONTHLY MEETINGS OF FRIENDS. + +By JOHN WOOLMAN. + + _LONDON_: + Re-printed by MARY HINDE. + + +AN EPISTLE, &c. + +Beloved Friends,--Feeling at this Time a renewed Concern that the pure +Principle 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 may so walk that our Conduct +may reach the pure Witness in the Hearts of such who are not in +Profession with us. + +And, dear Friends, while we publickly own that the Holy Spirit is our +Leader, the Profession is in itself weighty, and the Weightiness thereof +increaseth in Proportion as we are noted among the Professors of Truth, +and active in dealing with such who walk disorderly. + +Many under our Profession, for Want of due Attention, 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 +increasing 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 Conduct hath appeared more dishonourable in +the World. + +Now as my Mind hath been exercised before the Lord, I have seen, that +the Discipline of the Church of Christ 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 +Circumstances, 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 the Purity of Discipline, and +over that Holiness of Life, which Christ leads those into, _in whom, the +Love of God is verily perfected_, 1 John ii. 5. + +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 heathen Man, or a Publican_, Mat. xviii. 17. + +Now 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 such 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._ Now this forbidding alludes to Man's Judgment, and +points out the Necessity of our humbly attending to that sanctifying +Power, under which the Faithful experience the Lord to be _a Spirit of +Judgment to them_, Isa. xxviii. 6. 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 Judgment is known. + +And while Divine Love prevails in our Hearts, and Self in 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 Love +of God, that we keep his Commandments_, John i. 3. + +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, O Father I be hallowed. Thy Kingdom come. Thy +Will be done on 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 his Holy Name sacred, but +by humbly abiding under the Cross of Christ. The Apostle laid a heavy +Complaint against some who prophaned this Holy Name by their Manner of +Living, _Through you_, he says, _the Name of God is blasphemed among +the_ Gentiles, _Rom._ ii. 24. + +Some of our Ancestors, through many Tribulations, were gathered into the +State of true Worshippers, and had Fellowship in that which is pure; and +as one was inwardly moved to kneel down in their Assemblies, and +publickly 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 remember that to unite in Worship, is an Union in Prayer, and +that Prayer acceptable to the Father, is only 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 Words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will in +my Name, and it shall be done unto you._--Now 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 Principles, and are +outwardly active in supporting them, should faithfully abide in Divine +Strength, that _as he who has called us, is Holy, so we may be Holy in +all manner of Conversation_, 1 Pet. i. 15. + +If one professing to be influenced by the Spirit of Christ, propose to +unite in a Labour to promote Righteousness in the Earth, and in Time +past he hath manifestly deviated from the Paths of Equity, then to act +consistent with this Principle, his first Work is to make Restitution so +far as he may be enabled; for if he attempts to contribute 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 +entangle 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. + +Again, if I propose to assist in supporting those Doctrines 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 then 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 answerable thereto, is necessary before I can consistently +recommend this Principle to others.--I often feel a Labour in Spirit, +that we who are active Members in religious Society, may experience in +ourselves the Truth of those Expressions of the Holy One; _I will be +sanctified in them that come nigh me_, Lev. x. 3.----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 +incited in me, that we who profess the inward Principle of Light 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 +inwardly 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 Thoughts of such being entangled with Customs, +contrary to pure Wisdom, conveyed to them through our Hands, doth often +very tenderly, and movingly affect my Heart, and when I look towards, +and think on the succeeding Generation, fervent Desires are raised in +me, that we by yielding to that Holy Spirit which leads into all Truth, +may not do the Work of the Lord deceitfully, may not live contrary to +the Purity of the Divine Principle we profess; but that as faithful +Labourers in our Age, we may be instrumental in removing +Stumbling-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_, Eph. v. +25. and where any take the Name of Christ upon them, professing to be +Members of his Church, and 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, _viz._ 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 +Newness 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; and when under a Travail of Spirit, we behold a +visited People entangled by the Spirit of the World with its Wickedness +and Customs, and thereby rendered incapable of being faithful Examples +to others, Sorrow and Heaviness under a Sense of these Things, is 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 Altar, and there remembrest that +thy Brother hath ought 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_, Mat. v. 23, 24. 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 +Contradiction 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; _Whosoever shall do the +Will of God, the same is my Brother_, Mark iii. 35. Now 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 Possibility of proceeding as an Assembly of +the Lord's People in the pure Council 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, relating to a visible +gathered Church, the Members whereof are guided by the Holy Spirit. + +The Church is called _the Body of Christ_, Col. i. 24. + +Christ is called _the Head of the Church_, Eph. i. 22. + +The Church is called _the Pillar, and Ground of Truth_, 1 Tim. iii. 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 +Profession 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 such which Christ is the Author of. + +Now 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 +prophaning the Holy Name, and of going back toward that Wilderness of +Sufferings and Persecution, out of which, through the tender Mercies of +God, a Church hath been gathered; _Christ liveth in sanctified Vessels_, +Gal. ii. 20. and where they behold his Holy Name prophaned, and the pure +Gospel Light eclipsed, through the Unfaithfulness of any who by their +Station appear to be Standard-bearers under the Prince of Peace, the +living Members in the Body of Christ in 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 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 Condition of +sincere-hearted People in some Kingdoms, where Liberty of Conscience is +not allowed, many of whom being burthened in their Minds with prevailing +Superstition joined with Oppressions, are often under Sorrow; and where +such have attended to that pure Light which hath in some degree opened +their Understandings, and for their Faithfulness thereto, have been +brought to Examination and Trial, how heavy are the Persecutions which +in divers Parts of the World are exercised upon them! How mighty, as to +the outward, is that Power by which they are borne down, and oppressed! + +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 they have +frequently indured, who have been faithful to the End! + +How many tender spirited _Protestants_ have been sentenced to spend the +Remainder 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 Conscience of the Parents, that by +dissenting from them, they have hazarded their Liberty, 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 People have suffered Death for the +Testimony of a good Conscience, whose Faithfulness in their Day hath +ministred 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 length, through the tender Mercies of God, hath +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 open before me, that Liberty of +Conscience with which we are favoured, hath appeared not as 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 like laying the Foundation for future Sufferings. + +I feel a living Invitation in my Mind to such 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 Conscience toward God, not obtained but through 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 endure, or our Hands be strong, if we desert a +Cause so precious, if we turn aside from a Work, under 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, nor count the Blood of +the Covenant unholy! + +May the Faithfulness of the Martyrs when the Prospect of Death by Fire +was before them, be remembred. And may the patient constant Sufferings +of the upright-hearted Servants of God in latter Ages be revived in our +Minds. And may we so follow on to know the Lord, that neither the +Faithful in this Age, nor those in Ages to come, may ever 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 Disorders 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 this Church, continue in a manifest Opposition to the Purity +of our Principles, this, as the Prophet _Isaiah_ x. 18. expresseth it, +is like _as when a Standard-bearer fainteth_; and thus the Way opens to +great and prevailing Degeneracy, and to Sufferings for such 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 Will, the pure Light shines into the Soul, and where the +Fruits of that Spirit which is of the 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 gathered Church, the Sincere in Heart who +abide in true Stillness, and are exercised therein before the Lord for +his Name's Sake, have a Knowledge of Christ in the Fellowship 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 gathered +Church, without, the pure Leadings of the Spirit of Christ. + +While aught remains in us different from a perfect Resignation 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_, Rom. xii. 2. 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 abiding 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, and 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 unprofitable, 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 Stop which in +relation to good Order in the visible gathered Church, is of the +greatest Consequence to be observed; thus _Robert Barclay_ in his +Treatise on Discipline holds forth, Page 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." + +Now in this Stop I have learned the Necessity of waiting on the Lord in +Humility, that the Works of all may be brought to the 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 gathered Church +brought forth in Man's Wisdom, remain to be unprofitable. + +Where People are divinely gathered into a Holy Fellowship, and +faithfully abide under the Influence of that Spirit which leads into all +Truth, _they are the Light of the World_, Mat. v. 14. Now holding this +Profession, to me hath appeared 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 Enquiry 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 of our Conduct carry a Contradiction to the Truth as +it is in Jesus, or be a Means of prophaning his Holy Name, and be a +Stumbling-block in the Way of those sincere Enquirers! + +When such Seekers, who wearied with empty Forms, look toward uniting +with us as a People, and behold active Members among us depart in their +customary Way of Living, from that Purity of Life, which under humbling +Exercises hath 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, +harmonious Principle, 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; and 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 Treasures I possess been +gathered in that Wisdom which is from above, so far as hath appeared to +me? + +Have none of my Fellow Creatures an equitable Right to any Part which is +called mine? + +Have the Gifts, and Possessions received by me from others, been +conveyed in a Way free from all Unrighteousness, so far as I have seen? + +The Principle of Peace in which our Trust is only in the Lord, and our +Minds weaned from a Dependance on the Strength of Armies, hath appeared +to me very precious, and I often feel strong Desires, that we who +profess this Principle, may so walk, as to give just Cause for none of +our Fellow Creatures to be offended at us; 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_, Mat. xxiii. +9. 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, as an Inheritance from him, who formed, +and supports the World. Now in this Condition the true Enjoyment of the +good Things of this Life is understood, and that Blessing 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 the outward Power, be perplexed with secret +Uneasiness, lest the Injured should sometime overpower them, and that +Measure 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 the 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, and left as a Gift to his Children, +who being entangled by the same Worldly Spirit, have not attained to +that Clearness 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 Exercise of Mind, that the Sins of the +Fathers are embraced by the Children, and become their Sins, and thus of +the Days of Tribulation, the Iniquities in the Fathers are visited upon +these Children, who take hold of the Unrighteousness of their Fathers, +and live in that Spirit in which those Iniquities were committed; to +which 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_, Lev. xxvi. 39. and our blessed Lord in beholding the Hardness of +Heart in that Generation, and feeling in himself, that they lived in the +same Spirit in which the Prophets 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 Generation, from the +Blood of_ Abel, _unto the Blood of_ Zacharias, _who perished between the +Altar and the Temple_, Luke xi. 51. + +Tender Compassion fills my Heart towards 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 ourselves to his Holy Will; in this Condition, all our Wants and +Desires are bounded by pure Wisdom, and our Minds wholly attentive to +the Counsel of Christ inwardly communicated, which hath appeared to me +as a Habitation of Safety for the Lord's People, in Times of outward +Commotion 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, + _4th Month 1772_. + + + + +REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS. + +By JOHN WOOLMAN. + + _LONDON_: + Printed by MARY HINDE. + + +REMARKS &c. + + +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 preserv'd in Tenderness 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 disordering 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 Necessaries 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 Regard to a Profit to themselves +answerable to unnecessary Expence in their Families, while the Wages of +the other 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. + +Now I feel a Concern in the Spring of pure Love, that all who have +Plenty of outward Substance, may Example others in the right Use of +Things; may carefully look into the Condition of poor 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, raise up Families, and give them +suitable Education, it appears reasonable for them to be content 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 requiring 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 farther 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 +here on Earth_, Mat. vi. 19. + +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 here 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_, but to him who died for us. And as we are +thus united in Spirit to Christ, we are engaged to labour in promoting +that Work in the Earth for which he suffer'd. + +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 Unrighteousness, but is careful lest at any Time his Heart +be over-charg'd. + +In the harmonious Spirit of Society _Christ is all in all_, Col. iii. +11. + +Here it is that _old Things are past away, all Things are new, all +Things are of God_, 2 Cor. v. 17, 18, and the Desire for outward Riches +is at an End. + +They of low Degree who have small Gifts, enjoy their Help who have large +Gifts; those with their small Gifts, have a small degree of Care, while +these with their 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 faithful Stewards of the +Gifts of God, great Difficulties attend it. + +Now 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 Wars and great Calamities in the World, and a +Labour attends me to open it to others. + +Now 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 Living, as he whose Gifts of +Mind are greater, and whose Cares are more extensive. + +If some endowed with strong Understandings 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 Generation; 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 Treasures managed in any other Spirit, than +the Spirit of Truth, disordereth the Affairs of Society, for hereby the +good Gifts of God in this outward Creation are turned into the Channels +of Worldly Honour, and frequently applied to support Luxury, while the +Wages of poor Labourers are such, that with moderate Industry and +Frugality they may not live comfortably, raise up Families, and give +them suitable Education, but through the Streightness of their +Condition, are often drawn on to labour under Weariness, to toil through +Hardships themselves, and frequently to oppress those useful Animals +with which we are intrusted. + +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 the Friend and the +Governor are united in one, and oppressive Customs come to an End. + +Riches in the Hands of Individuals in Society, is 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 Government. + +The Earth, through the Labour of Men under the Blessing of him who +formed it, yieldeth a Supply for the Inhabitants from Generation to +Generation, and they who walk in the pure Light, their Minds are +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_, 2 Cor. vi. +18. + +When Wages in a fruitful Land bear so small a Proportion 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 +Oppression, or else omit that which appears to be a Duty. + +While this is the Case with the Poor, there is an Inclination 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 +these Hardships which the Poor pass through. + +Now this Subject requireth 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 these 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_, 1 John v. 12. _This Life is the Light of Men_, 1 John +1. 4. If we walk not in this Light, we walk in Darkness, and _he that +walketh in Darkness, knoweth not whither he goeth_, John xii. 35. + +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_, Isaiah lv. 4. Again; +_The Lord shall guide thee continually_, Isaiah lviii. 12. Again; _Lord, +thou wilt ordain Peace for us, for thou also hast wrought all our Works +in us_, Isaiah xxvi. 12. + +_In the Lord have we Righteousness and Strength_, Isaiah xlv. 24. + +In this State our Minds are preserved watchful in following the Leadings +of his Spirit in all our Proceedings in this World, 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 Narrowness +of natural Love, are afraid that their Children will be 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 embolden'd to +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. + +Now to keep faithful to the pure Counsellor, and under trying +Circumstances suffer Adversity for Righteousness Sake, in this there is +a Reward. + +If we, being poor, are hardly dealt with by those who are rich, and +under this Difficulty are frugal and industrious, and in true Humility +open our Case to them who oppress us, this may reach the pure Witness in +their Minds; 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, then we +experience the Truth of those Expressions, that, _as the Sufferings of +Christ abound in us, so our Consolation aboundeth by Christ_, 2 Cor. i. +5. + +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 Poverty, are +affected at Times with the Oppressions of the Poor, and feel a tender +Regard for our Posterity after us, O how necessary is it that we wait +for the pure Counsel of Truth! + +Many have seen the Hardships of the Poor, felt an eager Desire that +their Children may be put in a Way to escape these Hardships; but how +few have continued in that pure Love which openeth our Understandings 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_, 2 Cor. v. +7. + +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 enlarg'd toward +Mankind universally; but in departing from the true Light of Life, many +in striving to get Treasures have stumbled upon the dark Mountains. + +Now 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 open'd before me as a Place of Retirement for the Children of +the Light, where we may stand separated from that which disordereth 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 unnecessary Expences, many Wants have arisen, +the Minds of People have been employ'd in studying to get Wealth, and in +this Pursuit some departing from Equity, have retain'd a Profession of +Religion; others have look'd at their Example, and thereby been +strengthen'd to proceed further in the same Way: Thus many have +encourag'd the Trade of taking Men from _Africa_, and selling them as +Slaves. + +It hath been computed that near One Hundred Thousand Negroes have of +late Years been taken annually from that Coast, by Ships employed in the +_English_ Trade. + +As I have travell'd 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 professing _Christianity_, +not only kept ignorant of the Holy Scriptures, 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_, Isaiah lii. 5. + +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 Necessaries 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 Disadvantages 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, p. 125, speaking of the tender Feelings +of the Love of God in his Heart when he was a Child, 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-mindedness 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 hath 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 wrote 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 learn'd to talk _English_. + +I have sundry Times heard _Englishmen_ speak on this Subject, who have +been at _Africa_ on this Business; and from all these Accounts it +appears evident that great Violence 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 Inconvenience arise from their Number; but Slaves are taken +by Violence, and frequently endeavour to kill the white People, that +they may return to their Native Land. Hence they are frequently kept +under some Sort of Confinement, by Means of which a Scent ariseth in the +Hold of a Ship, and Distempers 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 Thousands are computed to die every Year, in what +is called the Seasoning. + +Thus it appears evident, that great Numbers of these People are brought +every Year to an untimely End; many of them being such who never injured +us. + +When the Innocent suffer under hard-hearted Men, 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_, Numb. xxxv. 33. + +When Blood hath been shed unrighteously, and remains unatoned for, the +Cry thereof is very piercing. + +Under the humbling Dispensations of Divine Providence, this Cry hath +deeply affected my Heart, and I feel 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 +exceeding great, when the Land was defiled with Blood, and the City full +of Perverseness_, Ezek. ix. 9. _some were found sighing and crying for +the Abominations of the Times_, Ezek. ix. 4. and such who live under a +right Feeling of our Condition as a Nation, these I trust will be +sensible that the 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 thro' the Examples one of another, +have often been unmoved at the most serious Warnings. + +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 destroy'd them +all_, Luke xvii. 27. + +The like he spake 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 Abundance of +Idleness was found in her, and in her Daughters; neither did she +strengthen the Hands of the Poor and Needy_, Ezek. xvi. 49. + +Now in a Revolt so deep as this, when much Blood has been shed +unrighteously, in carrying on the Slave Trade, and 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 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 Affliction; but in Divine Love the +Heart is enlarged towards Mankind universally, and prepar'd to +sympathize with Strangers, though in the lowest Station in Life. + +Of this the Prophet appears to have had a Feeling, when he said, _Have +we not all one Father? Hath not one God created us? Why then do we deal +treacherously every Man with his Brother, in prophaning the Covenant of +our Fathers?_ Mal. ii. 10. + +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 oppress'd People. Many Lives +have been shorten'd through extreme Oppression while they labour'd to +support Luxury and Worldly Greatness; and tho' 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 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 Advocate; 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 made to labour too hard, kept on a Diet +less comfortable than their weak State required, and exposed to great +Difficulties under 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 of my Parents. + +Innocent Youth taken by 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; placed under People, where +their Lives have been attended with great Provocation to Anger and +Revenge. + +With the Condition of these Youth, my Mind hath 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 minister'd 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 Conduct towards 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 Prophecy, _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 shall 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_, Isaiah lxi. 8, 9. + +But in the present State of Things, how contrary is this 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! + +How are the Sufferings of our blessed Redeemer set at nought, and his +Name blasphemed amongst the _Gentiles_, through the unrighteous +Proceedings of his profess'd Followers! + +My Mind hath 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; +this Work to me has been precious, and the Spreading the Knowledge of +the Truth amongst the _Gentiles_ been very desirable. And the professed +Followers of Christ joining in Customs evidently unrighteous, which +manifestly tend to stir up Wrath, and increase Wars and Desolations, +hath 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_, Job xvi. 4. + +If we consider ourselves and our Children as exposed to the Hardships +which these People lie under in supporting an imaginary Greatness. + +Did we in such Case behold 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 after us. + +Under all this Misery, had we none to plead our Cause, nor any Hope of +Relief from Man, how would our Cries ascend to the God of the Spirits of +all Flesh, who judgeth the World in Righteousness, and in his own Time +is a Refuge for the Oppressed! + +If they who thus afflicted us, continued to lay Claim to Religion, and +were assisted in their Business by others, esteemed pious People, who +through a Friendship with them strengthened their Hands in Tyranny. + +In such a State, when we were Hunger-bitten, and could not have +sufficient Nourishment but saw them in fulness pleasing their Taste with +Things fetched from far: + +When we were wearied with Labour, denied the Liberty to rest, and saw +them spending their Time at Ease: When Garments answerable to our +Necessities were denied us, while we saw them cloathed 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 mention'd in our Hearing, how would it sound in our Ears +like a Word which signified 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 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 Children, 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 an Eye-witness to what +passeth in getting these Slaves: + +Was the Blood which is there shed to be sprinkled on our Garments: + +Were the poor Captives bound with Thongs, 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 Things, 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 Tenderness 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 strength'ning +them in Error. + +It was the Command of the Lord through _Moses, Thou shalt not suffer Sin +upon thy Brother: Thou shalt in anywise rebuke thy Brother, and shalt +not suffer Sin upon him_, Lev. xix. 17. + +Again; _Keep far from a false Matter; and the Innocent and Righteous +slay thou not_, Exod. xxiii. 7. + +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_, Isaiah liv. 14. Now these +Words, _far from_, appear to have an extensive Meaning, and to convey +Instruction in regard to that of which _Solomon_ speaks, _Though Hand +join in Hand, the Wicked shall not go unpunished_, Prov. xvi. 5. + +It was a Complaint against one of old, _When thou sawest a Thief, thou +consentedst with him_, Psal. l. 18. + +The Prophet _Jeremiah_ represents the Degrees of Preparation 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_, Jer. vii. 18. + +It was a complaint of the Lord against _Israel_, through his Prophet +_Ezekiel_, that _they strengthen'd the Hands of the Wicked, and made the +Hearts of the Righteous sad_, Ezek. xiii. 12. + +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_, Hosea x. 13. + +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 Traffick, carried on in impure Channels. +Great is the Trade to _Africa_ for Slaves; and in loading these Ships +abundance of People are employ'd 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, and this hath spread from less to more, till Superfluity +of some Kind 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. + +And 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 example in a plain frugal Life, +and pay Wages to such 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, p. 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 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. + +The said _Gilbert_ found a Concern to write an Epistle, in which are +these Expressions; "Fear the Lord, ye Men of all Sorts, Trades, and +Callings, and leave off all the Evil that is in them, for the Lord is +grieved with all the Evils used in your Employments 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, _etc._ _George Fox_, in an Epistle, +writes thus: "Friends, stand in the Eternal Power of God, Witness +against the Pomps and Vanities of this World. + +"Such Tradesmen who stand as Witnesses in the Power of God, cannot +fulfil 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 Trust +first broke forth in _London_, many Tradesmen 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 answer'd the Truth in People's Hearts, and thus their Business +increased." Book of Doctrinals, Page 824. + +Now 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 respect different from +those which attended the Faithful in foregoing Ages, and through the +Constrainings of pure Love, are engaged to open the Feelings they have +to others. + +In faithfully following Christ, the Heart is weaned from the Desires 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 Allurements of that Gain, which we know is the Gain of +Unrighteousness. + +The Apostle speaking on this Subject, asketh this Question; _What +Fellowship hath Righteousness with Unrighteousness?_ 2 Cor. vi. 14. And +again saith, _Have no Fellowship with the unfruitful Works of Darkness, +but rather reprove them_, Ephes. v. 11. Again, _Be not Partaker of other +Men's Sins, keep thyself pure_, 1 Tim. v. 22. + +Where People through the Power of Christ are thoroughly settled in a +right Use of Things, freed from all unnecessary Care and Expence, 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 appeareth evident, that some Channels of Trade are defiled with +Unrighteousness, that the Minds of many are intent on getting Treasures +to support a Life, in which there are many unnecessary Expences. + +And 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 outwardly with clean Provender, that hath been winnowed with the +Shovel and the Fan, where we may _sow to ourselves in Righteousness, +reap in Mercy_, Hosea x. 12. and not be defiled with the Works of +Iniquity. + +Where Customs contrary to pure Wisdom are transmitted to Posterity, it +appears to be an Injury committed against them; and I often feel tender +Compassion toward a young Generation, and 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. + +Now what pious Father beholding his Son placed in one of these Ships, to +learn the Practice of a Mariner, could forbear 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 Seafaring Life in +general. + +In the Trade carried on from the _West-Indies_, and from some Part of +the Continent, the Produce of the Labour of Slaves is a considerable +Part. + +And Sailors who are frequently at Ports where Slaves abound, and +converse often with People who oppress without the Appearance of +Remorse, and often with Sailors employ'd in the Slave Trade, how +powerfully do these evil Examples spread amongst the Seafaring Youth! + +I have had many Opportunities to feel and understand the general State +of the Seafaring Life amongst us, and my Mind hath often been sad on +Account of so many Lads and young Men been 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 Nations 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. Fewer People would be +employed in Vanities and Superfluities. + +The Inhabitants of Cities would be less in Number. + +Those who have much Lands would become Fathers to the Poor. + +More People would be employed in the sweet Employment 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_. John xiii. 34. + +He loved _Lazarus_, yet in his Sickness 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 Message attended with +great Difficulty, amongst Hard-hearted People, some of whom would think +that in killing them they did God Service. + +So deep is Divine Love, that in stedfastly abiding in it, we are +prepar'd to deny ourselves of all that 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 +Superfluities, and spread by little and little, even among 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. And in striving to supply these Wants many +have exacted on the Poor, many have enter'd on Employments, in which +they often labour in upholding Pride and Vanity. Many have looked on one +another, been strengthen'd in these Things, one by the Example of +another, and as to the pure Divine Seeing, Dimness hath come over many, +and the Channels of true Brotherly Love been obstructed. + +People may have no intention to oppress, yet by entering on expensive +Ways of Life, their Minds may be so entangled therein, and so engag'd to +support expensive Customs, as to be estranged from the pure sympathizing +Spirit. + +As I have travell'd 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 Proportion between Labour and the 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 Publick. + +Such who are strong and healthy may do that Business, which to the +Weakly may be oppressive; and in performing that in a Day which is +esteem'd a Day's Labour, by weakly Persons in the Field and in the +Shops, and by weakly Women who spin and knit in the Manufactories, they +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 Hardships of the Poor are sometimes increased +through Want of a more agreeable Nourishment, more plentiful Fewel for +the Fire, and warmer Cloathing 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, 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 heavy on the Poor, while they who live in these Customs are so +entangled in a Multitude of unnecessary Concerns that they think but +little of the Hardships which the poor People go through. + + +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 Expence ariseth in Relation to that which is call'd Divine +Worship. + +A considerable Part of this Expence is applied toward outward Greatness, +and many poor People in raising of Tithe, labour in supporting Customs +contrary to the Simplicity that there is in Christ, toward whom my Mind +hath often been moved with Pity. + +In pure silent Worship, we dwell under the Holy Anointing, and feel +Christ to be our Shepherd. + +Here the best of Teachers ministers to the several Conditions of his +Flock, and the Soul receives immediately from the Divine Fountain, that +with which it is nourished. + +As I have travelled at Times where those of other Societies have +attended our Meetings, and have perceiv'd how little some of them knew +of the Nature of silent Worship; I have felt tender Desires in my Heart +that we who often sit silent in our Meetings, may live answerable 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 Expence which lieth on that which is +called Divine Service in many Places, and so much are the Minds of many +People employ'd in outward Forms and Ceremonies, that the opening of an +inward silent Worship in this Nation to me hath appeared to be a +precious Opening. + +Within the last four Hundred Years, many pious People have been deeply +exercised in Soul on Account of the Superstition which prevailed amongst +the professed Followers 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 Understandings of many have been +opened, and the Minds of People, from Age to Age, been more and more +prepared for a real spiritual Worship. + +My Mind is often affected with a Sense of the Condition of those People +who in different Ages have been meek and patient, following Christ +through great Afflictions: And while I behold the several Steps, of +Reformation, and that Clearness, to which through Divine Goodness, 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. + + + + +SOME EXPRESSIONS OF JOHN WOOLMAN IN HIS LAST ILNESS. + + _LONDON_: + Printed by MARY HINDE. + + + + +SOME EXPRESSIONS, &c. + +Being in the Course of his religious Visit at _York_, and having +attended most of the Sittings of the Quarterly-Meeting there, held in +the Ninth Month, 1772, he was taken ill of the _Small Pox_, in which +Disorder he continued about two Weeks, at Times under great Affliction +of Body, and then departed in full Assurance of a happy Eternity, as the +following Expressions, amongst others, taken from his own Mouth, do +plainly evidence. + +One Day 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." +Some Time after he said, "He was sensible the Pains of Death must be +hard to bear, but if he escaped them now, he must some Time pass through +them, and did not know he could be better prepared, but had no Will in +it." Said, "He had settled his outward Affairs to his Mind; 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 an Hope they will be provided +for." And a little after said, "This Trial is made easier than I could +have thought, by my Will being wholly taken away; for if I was anxious +as to the Event, it would be harder, but I am not, and my Mind enjoys a +perfect Calm." + +In the Night a young Woman having given him something to drink, he said, +"My Child, thou seemest very kind to me, a poor Creature, the Lord will +reward thee for it." A while after he cried out with great Earnestness +of Spirit, "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 replied, "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 put into his Journal, +he said, "I believe the Lord will now excuse me from Exercises of this +Kind, and 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 whatever 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 come over his Mind +like a Whirlwind, yet it had hitherto been kept steady, and center'd in +everlasting Love." Adding, "And if that's mercifully continued, I ask +nor desire no more." + +At another Time he said, "He had long had a View of visiting this +Nation; and some Time before he came, he 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 People +as clear as ever he had seen Flowers in a Garden; but in his going on he +was suddenly stopt, though he could not see for what End, but looked +towards Home, and in that fell into a Flood of Tears, which waked him." +At another Time he said, "My Draught seem'd strongest to 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." + +Having repeatedly consented to take a Medicine with a View to settle his +Stomach, but without Effect, the Friend then waiting on him, said, +through Distress, "What shall I do now?" He answered with great +Composure, "Rejoice evermore, and in every Thing give Thanks." But added +a little after, "This is sometimes hard to come at." + +One Morning early he brake forth in Supplication on this wise; "Oh Lord! +it was thy Power that enabled me to forsake Sin in my Youth, and I have +felt thy Bruises since for Disobedience, but as I bowed under them thou +healedst me; and though I have gone through many Trials and sore +Afflictions, thou hast been with me, continuing a Father and a Friend. I +feel thy Power now, and beg that in the approaching trying Moments, thou +wilt keep my Heart steadfast unto thee." Upon his giving the same Friend +Directions concerning some little Matters, she said, "I will take Care, +but hope thou mayst live to order them thyself;" he replied, "My Hope is +in Christ; and though I may now seem a little better, a Change in the +Disorder may soon happen, and my little Strength be dissolved, and if it +so happen, I shall be gather'd to my everlasting Rest." On her saying, +"She did not doubt that, but could not help mourning to see so many +faithful Servants removed at so low a Time," he said, "All Goodness +cometh from the Lord, whose Power is the same, and he can work as he +sees best." The same Day, after giving her Directions about wrapping his +Corpse, and perceiving her to weep, he said, "I had rather thou wouldst +guard against Weeping or Sorrowing for me, my Sister; I sorrow not, +though I have had some painful Conflicts; but now they seem over, and +Matters all settled, and I look at the Face of my dear Redeemer, for +sweet is his Voice, and his Countenance comely." + +Being very weak, and in general difficult to be understood, he uttered a +few Words in Commemoration of the Lord's Goodness to him; and added, +"How tenderly have I been waited upon 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 relieved by them, and their Distresses +at such a Time as this, in some degree softened by the administring of +suitable Things." + +An Apothecary who attended him of his own Accord (he being unwilling to +have any sent for) appeared very anxious to assist him, with whom +conversing, he queried about the Probability of such a Load of Matter +being thrown off his weak Body, and the Apothecary making some Remarks, +implying he thought it might, he spoke with an audible Voice on this +wise: "My Dependance is in the Lord Jesus Christ, 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 trying to assist Nature, in order to +lengthen out my Life, I submit." After this, 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, being the 7th of the Tenth Month, +1772, 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 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 so expired without Sigh, Groan, or Struggle. + + * * * * * + +_Note_, He often said, "It was hid from him, whether he might recover, +or not, and he was not desirous to know it; but from his own Feeling of +the Disorder, and his feeble Constitution, thought he should not." + + +FINIS + + +THE TEMPLE PRESS, PRINTERS, LETCHWORTH + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of John Woolman's Journal, by John Woolman + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOHN WOOLMAN'S JOURNAL *** + +***** This file should be named 37311.txt or 37311.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/3/1/37311/ + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Michael, Mary Meehan and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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