YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

. WOOLMAN (JOHN). Journal of the Life, Services, etc.,
hn Woolman, late of Mount-Holly, in the Province of New
y. North America. To which are added his Works, contain-
is last Epistle and other Writings. 8vo, old calf (writing on
Dublin, 1776

J,PU7RN^L OF THE
l"ife, gospel laj^ours,^
AND/
CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCES
OF THAT
FAITHFUL MINISTER
O F
JESUS CHRIST,
JOHN WOOLMAN,
! tt
Late of MOUNT-HOLLY, iiithe Provinceof NEW-
JERSEY, NORTH- AMERICA.
TO which are added,
His W O R K S, containing his laft Epiftle and
other Writings.
Ifaiah xxxii. 17.
The work of righteoujhefi fhall be peace; and the effecl of fighteouf-
nefs, quietnsfs and affurance for ever.

DUBLIN:
Printed by R. JACKSON, at the Globe (N* 20) m
Meatk-ftrett, 1776.

' ZZ i yl -
THE

TESTIMONY

O F

FRIENDS in YORKSHIRE,
At their Quarterly-meeting held at York the zqtb and 25/^ af
the third month, 1773, concerning
JOHN WOOLMAN,
Of Mount-Holly, in the province of New-Jerfey
in America, who departed this life at the houfe
of our friend Thomas Prieflman, in thefuburbs
of this city, the 7th of the 10th month, 1772,
and was interred in the burying-ground of
friends the 9th of the fame, aged about fifty-
two years.
THIS our valuable Friend, having been
under a religious engagement for fome
time, to vifit friends in this nation, and more
efpecially us in the northern parts, undertook
the fame in full concurrence and near fympa-
thy with his friends and brethren at home; as
appeared by certificates from the monthly and
quarterly meetings to which he belonged, and
from the fpring-meeting of minifters and el
ders, held at Philadelphia, for Pennfylvania
and New-Jerfey. A 2 He

[ iv ]
He arrived in the city of London tne be*
ginning of the laft yearly-meeting, and, after
attending that meeting, travelled northward,
vifiting the quarterly-meetings of Hertford-*
fhire, Buckinghamfhire, Northamptonfhire,
Oxfordihire and Worcefterfhire, and divers
particular meetings in his way.
He vifited many meetings on the Weft fide
of this county, alio fome in Lancafhire and
Weftmoreland, from whence he came to our
quarterly-meeting in the laft ninth month, andT
tho' much out of health, yet was enabled to
attend all the fittings of that meeting except
the laft.,
His diforder then, which proved the fm all-
pox, increafed fpeedily upon him, and was
very afflicting; under which he was fupport-
ed in much meeknefs, patience and chriftian
fortitude : To thofe who attended him in his
illnefs, his mind appeared to be centered iri
divine love; under the precious influence
whereof we believe he finifhed his courfe, and
entered into the manfions of everlafting reft.
In the early part of his illnefs he requefted
a friend to write, and he broke forth thus.
" O Lord my God ! the amazing horrors of
darknefs were gathered around me and cover
ed me all over, and I faw no way to go forth ;
I felt the mifery of my fellow creatures fepa--
rated from the divine harmony, and it was
heavier

I v ]
heavier than I could bear, and I was crufhed
down under it ; I lifted up my hand, and
ftretched out my arm, but there was nohe to
help me ; I looked round about, and was amaz
ed: In the depths of mifery, O Lord! I re
membered that thou art omnipotent, that I
had called thee father, and I felt that I ioved
thee, and I was made quiet in thy will, and
I waited for deliverance from thee; thou hadft
pity upon me, when no man could help me;
I faw that meeknefs under fuffering was fhew-
ed to us in the moft affecting example of thy
Son, and thou was teaching me to follow him ;
and I faid, thy Will, O Father be done."
Many more of his weighty expreflions
might have been inferted here ; but it was
deemed unneceffary, they being already pub
lished in print.
He was a man endued with a large natural
capacity ; and, being obedient to the manifefta-
tions of Divine Grace, having in patience
and humility endured many deep baptifms,
he became thereby fanclified and fitted for
the Lord's work, and was truly ferviceable
in his Church : Dwelling in awful fear and
watchfulnefs, he was careful in his public ap
pearances to feel the putting forth of the Di
vine Hand; fo that the fpring of the gofpel
miniftry often flowed thro' him with great
fweetnefs and purity, as a refrefhing ftream to
the weary travellers towards the city of God :
Skilful in dividing the word, he was furnifhed by

[ vi 3
by Him in whom are hid all the treafures
of wifdom and knowledge, to communicate
freely to the feveral ftates of the people where
his lot was caft. His conduct at other times
was feafoned with the like watchful circum-
fpeclion and attention to the guidance of Di
vine Wifdom, which rendered his whole con-.
verfation uniformly edifying,
. He was fully perfuaded that, as the life of
Chrift comes to reign in the earth, all abufe
and unnecefTary oppreflion, both of the hu->
man and brute creation, will come to an end ;
but, under the fenfe of a deep revolt, and an
overflowing ftream of unrighteoufnefs, his life
has -been often a life of mourning.
He was deeply concerned on account of
that inhuman and iniquitous practice of ma^-
king ilaves of the people of Africa, or hold
ing them in that ftate; and, on that account,
we underftand he hath not only wrote fome
books, but travelled much on the continent
of America, in order to make the Negro-maf-
ters (efpecially thofe in profeffion with us) fen-
fible of the evil of fuch a practice; and, tho'
in this journey to England, he Was far remove
ed from the outward fight of their fufFerings,
yet his deep exercife of mind remained ; as ap
pears by afhort treatife he wrote in this jour
ney, and his frequent concern to open the mi-^
ferable ftate of this deeply injured people :
Histeftimony in the laft meeting he attended
'was on this fubjevt, wherein he remarked^ that

[ vii. ]
that, as we as a fociety, when under outward
fufFerings, had often found it our concern to
lay them before thofe in authority, and there
by, in the Lord's time, had obtained relief, fo
he recommended this oppreffed part ofthe cre
ation to our notice ; that we may, as way may
open, reprefent their fufFerings in an individu
al, if not a fociety capacity to thofe in autho
rity. Deeply fenfible that the defire to gratify
people's inclinations in luxury and fuperflui-
ties is the principal ground of, oppreffion,
and the occafion x>£ many unneceftary wants,
he believed it to be his duty to be a pattern
of great felf-denial, with refpect to the things
of this life, and earneftly to labour with friend,^
in the meeknefs of wifdom, to imprefs on
their minds the great importance of pur tefti-
mony in thefe things, recommending to the
guidance of the bleffed Truth in this and all
other concerns, and cautioning fuch as are ex
perienced therein, againfl: contenting them-
felves with acting up to the ftandard of others,
but to be careful to make theftandardofTruth,
manifefted to them, the- meafure of their obe
dience : For, faid he, " That purity of life
which proceeds from faithfulnefs in following
the Spirit of Truth, that ftate where, our
minds are devoted to ferve God, and all our
wants are bounded by his wifdom; this ha
bitation has often been opened before me as
a place of retirement for the children of the
Hght, where they may ftand feparated from that

[ viii ]
^hat which difordereth and confufeth the af-*
fairs of fociety, and where we may have tef~.
timony of our innocence in the hearts of thofe
who behold us."
We conclude with fervent defires, that we
as a people may thus, by our example, pro
mote the Lord's work in the earth ; and, our
hearts being prepared, may unite in prayer to
the great Lord of the harveft, that, as in his
infinite wifdom he hath greatly ftripped the
church, by removing of late, divers faithful
minifters and elders, he may be pleafed to
fend forth many more faithful labourers intq
his harveft.

A T E S T I-

A
TESTIMONY OFTHE
MONTHLY-MEETING of FRIENDS,
Held in Burlington, the firft Pay q£ the eighth month, in the
year of our Lord, 1774, concerning our efteenjed friend
JOHN WOOLMAN, deceased.
HE was born in Northampton, in the
county of Burlington, and province of
Weft-New- Jerfey, in the eighth month, 1720,
of religious parents, who inftructed him very
early in the principles of the chriftian religion,
as profefTed by the people called Quakers;
which he efteemed a blefllng to him, even in
his younger years, tending to preferve him
from the infection of wicked children; But,
thro' the workings of the enemy, and levi
ty incident to youth, he frequently deviated
from thofe parental precepts; by which he
laid a renewed foundation for repentance, that
was finally fucceeded by a godly forrow not
to be repented of; and fo became acquainted
with that fanctifying power which qualifies
for true gofpel miniftry, into which he was
called about the twenty-fecond year of his
age; and, by a faithful ufe of the talents com
mitted to him, he experienced an encreafe, until

[ * ]
until he arrived at the ftate of a father,
capable of dividing the word aright to the
different ftates- he miniftered unto; difpenfing
milk to babes, and. meat to thofe of riper years.
Thus he found the efficacy of that .power to
arife, which in his own expreflions, " pre
pares the creature to ftand like a trumpet thro'
which the Lord fpeaks to his people."— He
was a loving hufband, a tender father, and
very humane to every part of the creation
under his care.
His concern for the poor and thofe in^fe
flidion was evident by his vifits to them;
whom he frequently relieved by his afllftance
"and charity. He was for many years deeply
exercifed on account of the poor enflayed
Africans, whofe caufe, as he fometimes men-
tioned,Jay almoii^continually upon him; and,
to obtain liberty to thofecaptives, he labour-?
ed both in public and private, and was favour
ed to i*ee his endeavours crowned with confi
gurable fuecefs. . He, was particularly defirous
that friends fhould not be inftrumental to lay
burdens on this opprefled people, hut remem^
ber -the. days of fufFering from which they had
been providentially delivered,; that, if times of
trouble fJbould return, no injuftice dealt to
thofe in fla very might rife in judgment againft
us, but, being clear, , we might oh fuch occa-
fions addrefs the Almighty with a degree of
confidence for his interpofition and relief; be
ing particularly, careful as to himfelf, not to
countenance flavery even by the ufe of thofe
conve-

[ xi ],
conveniences of life w hich were furnifhed by
their labour.
He was defirous to have his own, and the
minds of others, redeejned from the pleafures
and immoderate profits of this world, and to
fix them on thofe joys which fade not away;
his principal care being after a life of purity,
endeavouring to avoid not only the grafter pol
lutions, but thofe alfp which, appearing in a
more reSneddrefs,- are not fufficiently guarded
againfl: by fome well-difpofed people.; In the
latter part of his life he was remarkable for
the plainnefs and fimplicity of his drefs, and
as much as poffible, avoided the ufe of plate,
coftly furniture and fe§fting; thereby endea
vouring to become an -example of temperance
and felf-denial, which he believed himfelf
called unto; and was favoured with ; peace
therein, altho' it carried the appearance of
great aufterity in the view of fome. He was
very moderate in "his charges in the way of bu-
finefs, ;and in his defires -after gain ; and, tho'
a man of induftry, avoided, and ftrove much
to lead others out of extreme labour and
anxioufnefs after peri fhable things; being de
firous that the ftrength of our bodies rnight
not be fpent in procuring things unprofitable,
and that we might ufe moderation and kind^
nefs to the brute animajs; under our care, to
prize the ufe of them as a great favour, and
by no means abufe them; that the gifts of
Providence fhould be thankfully received and
applied to the ufes r,hey were defignedfor. He

[ xii ]
He feveral times opened a fchool at Mount-
Holly, for the inftruction of poor friends' chiL
dren and others; being concerned for their
help and improvement therein:  His love
and care for the rifing youth among us was
truly great, recommending to parents and
thofe who have the charge of them, to chufe
confcientious and pious tutors ; faying, " It is
a lovely fight to behold innocent children,"
and that, " to labour for their help againft
that which would marr the beauty of their
minds? is a debt we owe them."
His miniftry was found, very deep and pe*
jaetrating, fometimes pointing out the danger-;
ous fituation which indulgence and cuftom
leads into; frequently exhorting others, efpe-
cially the youth, not to be difcouraged at the
difficulties which occur, but prefs after purity.
He often exprefled an earneft engagement
that Pure Wifdom fhould be attended to, which
would lead into lowlinefs of mind and refig-
nation to the divine will, in which ftate fmall
pofFeflions here would be fufficient.
In tranfadting the affairs of difcipline, his
judgment was found and clear, and he was
very ufeful in treating with thofe who had
done amifs ; he vifited fuch in a private way
in that plainnefs which truth dictates, fhew-
ing great tendernefs and chriftian forbearance.
He was a conftant attender of our yearly-
meeting, in which he was a good example, and

[ xi" 1
&nd particularly ufeful ; affifting in the bufi-*
nefs thereof with great weight and attention.
He feveral times vifited moft of the meetings
of friends in this and the neighbouring pro
vinces, with the concurrence of the monthly-
meeting to which he belonged, and we have
reafon to believe had good fervice therein ;
generally or always expreffing 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 fervice of vifiting fa
milies, which he was enabled to go thro' to
fatisfaction. In the minutes of the meeting of minifters
and elders for this quarter, at the foot of a
lift of the members of that meeting, made
about five years before his death, we find in
his hand- writing the following obfervation and
reflections. " As looking over the minutes
made by perfons who have put ofF this body,
hath fometimes revived in me a thought how
ages pafs away; fo this lift may probably re
vive a like thought in fome, when I, and the
reft of the perfons abovenamed, are centered
in another ftate 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
ftrength of my life; to whom I defire to de
vote myfelf in time, and in eternity." 
Signed, John Woolman. In

{ xiv ]
In the twelfth month, .1.77 1, he acquainted
this meeting that he found his mind drawn
towards a religious vifit to friends in fome
parts of England, particularly in Yorkfhire.
In the firft month 1772, he obtained our cer
tificate, which was approved and indorfed by
our quarterly meeting, and by the half year's
meeting of minifters and elders at Philadel
phia. He embarked on his voyage in the
fifth, and arrived in London in the fixth
month following, at the time of their annual
meeting in that city. During his fhort vifit
to friends in that kingdom, we are informed.
that his fervices were acceptable andedifyingi
In his laft illnefs he uttered many lively and
comfortable expreffions, being, "perfectly re-
figned, having no will either to live or die,"
as appears by the teftimony of friends at York
irt Great-Britain, in the: fuburbsr whereof, at
the houfe of our friend' Thomas Prieftman,
he died of the fmall-pox^ on the feventh day
of the tenth month, i 7,7 2., and was buried
in friends' burying-ground in that city, .on
the ninth of the fame, after a folid meeting
held on the occafion,t at their great meeting-
houfe. He was aged near fifty-twoj a minifter
upwards of thirty yeara, during which time
he belonged to Mount-holly particular meet
ing, which he diligently attended when at
home and in health of body; and his labours
of love and pious ¦ care\ for the profperity of
friends in the bleifed Truth, we hope, may not

[ xv ]
not be forgotten, but that his good works
may be remembered to edification.
Signed in, and by order of the faid meeting,
by SAMUEL ALLINSON, Clerk,
Read and approved at our quarterly-meet
ing, held at Burlington the 29th of the 8th
month, 1774.
Signed by order of faid meeting,
DANIEL SMITH, Clerk.

JOURNAL OFTHE
LIFE and TRAVELS
O F
JOHN WOOLMAN,
In the Service of tbe Gospel.

CHAP. I.
His birth and parentage, with fonte accmihi of
the operations of divine grace on his mind in
his youth — His firft appearance in the mini
ftry — And his considerations, while young r oft
the keeping of JIaves.
I HAVE- often felt a motion of love to
leave fome hints in writing of my expern
ence of the goodnefs of God : And now, in thef
thirty-fixth year of my age, I begin this work/
I was bom in Northampton, in Burlington
county, Weft-Jerfey, in the year 1720 ; and
before I was feven years old I began to be
acquainted with the operations of divine lore:
B Thro'

2 The LIFE and TRAVELS
Thro' the care of my parents, I was taught
to read near as foon as I was capable of it ;
and as I went from fchool one feventh day, I
remember while my companions went to play
by the way, I went forward out of fight, and
fitting down I read the 2 2d chapter of the
Revelations. " He fhewed me a pure river
" of water of life, clear as chryftal, proceed-
" ing out of the throne of God and of the
" Lamb, &c." and in reading it, my mind
was drawn to feek after that pure habitation,
which, I then believed, God had prepared
for his fervants. The place where I fate, and
the fweetnefs that attended my mind, re
mains frefh in my memory.
This, and the like gracious vifitations, had
that efFed upon me^ that when boys ufed ill
language, it troubled me; and thro' the con
tinued mercies of God, I was preferved from
it. The pious inftructions of my parents were
often frefh in my mind when I happened to
be among wicked children, and were of ufe
to me. My parents, having a large family of
children, ufed frequently, on firft days after
meeting, to put us to read in the holy fcrip-
tures, or fome religious books, one after ano
ther, the reft fitting by without much conver-
fation; which, I have fince often thought,
was a good practice. From what I had read
and heard, I believed there had been, in paft
ages, people who walked in uprightnefs be-'
fore God, in a degree exceeding any that I
knew or heard of, now living: And the ap-
prehenfion

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 3
prehenfion of there being lefs fteadinefs and
firmnefs amongft people in this age than in
paft ages, often troubled me while I was a
child. A thing remarkable in my childhood was,
that once going to a neighbour's houfe, I faw
on the way, a Robin fitting on her neft, and
as I came near fhe went off, but having young
ones, flew about, and with many cries ex-
prefFed her concern for them; I flood and
threw ftones at her, 'till one ftriking her, fhe
fell down dead: At firft I was pleafed with
the exploit, but after a few minutes was feiz-
ed with horror, as having, in a fportive way
killed an innocent creature while fhe was care
ful for her young: I beheld her lying dead,
and thought thofe young ones, for which fhe
was fo careful, muft now perifh for the want
of their dam to nourifh them; and after fome
painful confiderations on the fubject, I climb
ed up the tree, took all the young birds, and
killed them; fuppofing that, better than to
leave them to pine away and die miferably :
And believed, in this cafe, that fcripture pro
verb was fulfilled, " The tender mercies of
" the wicked are cruel." I then went on my
errand, but, for fome hours, could think of
little elfe but the cruelties I had committed,
and was much troubled. Thus He, whofe
tender mercies are over all his works, hath
placed a principle in the human mind, which
incites to exercife goodnefs towards every liv
ing creature; and this being fingly attended
to, people become tender-hearted and fympa-
B 2 thizing;

4 The LIFE and TRAVELS
thizing; but being frequently arid totally re
jected, the mind becomes fhut up in a contra.-,
ry difpofition.
About the twelfth year of my age, my father
being abroad, my mother reproved me for
fome mifconduct, to which I made an unduti-
ful reply ; and the next firft day, as I was
with my father returning from meeting, he
told me he underftood I had behaved amifs to
my mother, and advifed me to be more care
ful in future. I knew myfelf blameable, and
in fhame and confufion remained filent. Be
ing thus awakened to a fenfe of my wicked-
nefs, I felt remorfe in my mind, and getting
home, I retired and prayed to the Lord to for
give mej and do not remember that I ever,
after that, fpoke unhandfomely to either of
my parents, however foolifh in fome other
things. Having attained the age of fixteen years, I
began to love wanton company ; and tho' I
was preferved from profane language, or fcan-
dalous conduct, ftill I perceived a plant in;
me which produced much wild grapes : Yet
my merciful Father forfook me not utterly,,
but at times, thro' his grace, I was brought
ferioufly to confider my ways ; and the fight
of my backllidings affected me with forrow ;
but for want of rightly attending to the re
proofs of inftruction, vanity was added to va
nity, and repentance to repentance: Upon,
the whole, my mind was more and more ali
enated from the truth, and I haftened toward
deftruction. While I meditate on the gulf to
wards

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 5
wards which I travelled, and reflect on my
youthful difobedience, for thefe things I
weep, mine eye runneth down with water.
Advancing in age the number of my ac
quaintance increafed, and thereby my Way
grew more difficult: Tho' I had found com
fort in reading the holy fcriptures, and think
ing on heavenly things, I was now eftranged
therefrom: I knew I was going from the
flock of Chrift, and had no refolution to re
turn ; hence ferious reflections were uneafy
to me, and youthful vanities and diverfions
my greateft pleafure. Running in this road
I found many like myfelf; and we affocia-
ted in that which is reverfe to true friendfhip.
But in this fwift race it pleafed God to vi
fit me with ficknefs, fo that I doubted of re
covering ; and then did darknefs, horror, and
amazement, with full force feize me, even
when my pain and diftrefs of body was very
great. I thought it would have been better
for me nearer to have had a being, than to
fee the day which I now faw. I was filled
with confufion; and in great affliction, both
of mind and body, I lay and bewailed myfelf.
I had not confidence to lift up my cries to
God, whom I had thus offended; but, in a
deep fenfe of my great folly, I was humbled
before him: And, at length, that Word which
is as fire and a hammer, broke and diffolved
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 clofe engagement, that if he was pleafed to
reftore

6 The LIFE and TRAVELS
reftore my health, I might walk humbly be
fore him.
After my recovery, this exercife remained
with me a confiderable time ; but, by degrees,
giving way to youthful vanities, they gained
ftrength, and getting with wanton young peo
ple I loft ground. The Lord had been very
gracious, and fpoke peace to me in the time
of my diftrefs; and I now moft ungratefully
turned again to folly ; on which account, at
times, I felt fharp reproof, but did not get low
enough to cry for help. I was not fo hardy
as to commit things fcandalous ; but to exceed
in vanity, and proiuote mirth, was my chief
ftudy. Still I retained a love and efteem for
pious people ; and their company brought an
awe upon me. My dear parents, feveral times,
admonifhed me in the fear of the Lord, and
their admonition entered into my heart, and
had a good effect for a feafon ; but not get
ting deep enough to pray rightly, the tempt
er, when he came, found entrance. I remem
ber, once having fpent a part of the day in
wantonnefs, as I went to bed at night, there
lay in a window, near my bed, a bible, which
I opened, and firft caft my eye on the text,
" we lie down in our fhame, and our confufi-
on cover us;" this I knew to be my cafe: And
meeting with fo unexpected a reproof, I was
fomewhat affected with it, and went to bed
under remorfe of confcience; which I foon
caft off again.
Thus time paft on ; my heart was replenifh-
ed with mirth and wantonnefs, while pleaf- ing

of JOHN WOOLMAN 7
ing fcenes of vanity were prefented to my
imagination, 'till I attained the age of eigh
teen years; near which time I felt the judg
ments of God, in my foul, like a confuming
fire; and looking over my paft life, the prof-
pect was moving. — I was often fad, and long
ed to be delivered from thofe vanities; then
again, my heart was ftrongly inclined to them,
and there was in me a fore conflict : At times
I turned to folly ; and then again, forrow and
confufion took hold of me. In a while I re-
folved totally to leave off" fome of my vani
ties; but there Was a fecret referve in my
heart, of the more refined part of them, and
I was not low enough to find true peace. Thus,
for fome months I had great troubles ; there
remaining in me an unfubjected will, which
rendered my labours fruitlefs, 'till at length,
thro' the merciful continuance of heavenly
vifitations, I was made to bow down in fpi
rit before the Lord. I remember one evening
I had fpent fome time in reading a pious au
thor ; and walking out alone, I humbly pray
ed to the Lord for his help, that I might be
delivered from all thofe vanities which fo en-
fnared me. Thus being brought low, he help
ed me ; and as I learned to bear the crofs,
I felt refrefhment to come from his prefence ;
but not keeping in that ftrength which gave
victory, I loft ground again; the fenfe of
which greatly affected me ; and I fought de-
ferts and lonely places, and there with tears
did confefs my fins to God, and humbly cra
ved help of him. And I may fay with reve
rence,

$ The LIFE and TRAVELS
rence, he was near to me in my troubles, and
in thofe times of humiliation opened my ear
to difcipline. I was now led to look ferioufly
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 fervants of
God lived in, I muft not go into company as
heretofore in my own will ; but all the crav
ings of fenfe muft be governed by a divine
principle. In times of forrow and abafement
thefe inftructions were fealed upon me, and I
felt the power of Chrift prevail over felfifh
defires, fo that I was preferved in a good de
gree of fteadinefs; and being young, and be
lieving, at that time, that a fingle life was
beft for me, I was ftrengthened to keep from
fuch company as had often been a fnare to
me. I kept fteadily to meetings; fpent firft day
afternoons chiefly in reading the fcriptures and
Other good books; and was early convinced in
my mind, that true religion confifted in an in-p
ward life, wherein the heart doth love and re
verence God the Creator, and learns to exer-
cife true juftice and goodnefs, not only to
ward all men, but alfo toward the brute crea
tures — That as the mind was moved, by an
inward principle, to love God as an invifible
incomprehenfible Being; by the fame princi
ple it was moved to love him in all his mani-
feftations in the vifible world — That, as by
his breath, the flame of life was kindled in
all animal fenfible creatures, to fay we love
God as unfeen, and, at the fame time, exer- cife

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 9
cife cruelty toward the leaft creature moving
by his life, or by life derived from him; was
a contradiction in itfelf.
I found no narrownefs refpecting feds and
opinions ; but believed, that fincere upright
hearted people, in every fociety, who truly love
God ; were accepted of him.
As I lived under the crofs, and fimply fol
lowed 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 fafeft for me to live in
private, and keep thefe things fealed up in my
own breaft. While I filently ponder on that
change wrought in me, I find no language e-
qual to it, nor any means to convey Nto ano
ther a clear idea of it. I looked upon the
works of God in this vifible creation, and an
awfulnefs covered me; my heart was tender
and often contrite, and univerfal love to my
fellow-creatures increafed in me : This will be
underftood by fuch who have trodden in the
fame path. Some glances of real beauty may
be feen in their faces, who dwell in true meek-
nefs. There is a harmony in the found of that
voice to which divine love gives utterance,
and fome appearance of right order in their
temper and conduct, whofe paflions are regu
lated; yet all thefe do not fully fhew forth
that inward life to fuch who have not felt it;
but this white ftone and new name is known
rightly to fuch only who have it. Now

10 The LIFE and TRAVELS
Now tho' I had been thus ftrengthened to
bear the crofs, I ftill found myfelf in great
danger, having many weakneflfes attending
me, and ftrong temptations to wreftle with ;
in the feeling whereof I frequently withdrew
into private places, and often with tears be-
fought the Lord to help me, whofe gracious
ear was open to my cry.
All this time I lived with my parents, and
wrought on the plantation ; and having had
fchooling pretty well for a planter, I ufed to
improve it in winter^evenings, and other lei-
fure times ; and being in the twenty-firft year
of my age, a man, in much bufinefs at fhopr>
keeping and baking, afked me, if I would
hire with him to tend fhop and keep books, I
acquainted my father with the propofal; and
after fome deliberation, it was agreed for me
to go,
At home I had lived retired; and now hav
ing a profpect 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 preferve me from all taint and cor
ruption; that, in this more public employ
ment I might ferve Him, my gracious Re
deemer, in that humility and felf-denial, with
which I had been, in a fmall degree, exercifed
in a more private life. The man who em
ployed me, furnifhed a fhop in Mount-Holly,
about five miles from my father's houfe, \ and
fix from his own; and there I lived alone, and
tended his Vhop. Shortly after my fettlement
here, I was vifited by feveral young people my

of JOHN WOOLMAN. u
my former acquaintance, who knew not but
vanities would be as agreeable to me now as
ever; and, at thefe times, I cried to the Lord
in fecret for wifdom and ftrength; for I felt
myfelf encompafled with difficulties, and had
frefh occafion to bewail the follies of time paft,
in contracting a familiarity with libertine peo
ple : And as I had now left my father's houfe
outwardly, I found my heavenly Father to be
merciful to me beyond what I can exprefs..
By day I was much amongft people, and
had many trials to go thro' ; but in the even
ings, I was moftly alone, and may with thank-
fulnefs acknowledge, that, in thofe times, the
fpirit of fupplication was often poured upon
me; under which I was frequently exercifed,
and felt my ftrength renewed.
In a few months after I came here, my
mafter bought feveral Scotchmen fervants,
from pn board a veffel, and brought them to
MountJHolly to fell; one of which was taken
fick and died.
In the latter part of his ficknefs, he, being
delirious, ufed to curfe and fwear moft for-
rowfully; and the next night after his burial,
I was left to fleep alone in the fame chamber
where he died: I perceived in me a timorouf-
nefs ; I knew, however, I had not injured the
man, but aflifted in taking care of him ac
cording to my capacity; and was not free to
afk any one, on that occafion, to fleep with
me: Nature was feeble; but every trial was
a frefh incitement to give myfelf up wholly
to the fervice of God, for I found no helper
like him in times of trouble. After

12 The LIFE and TRAVELS
After a while, my former acquaintance
gave over expecting me as one of their com
pany; and I began to be known to fome whofe
converfation was helpful to me: And now, as
I had experienced the love of God, thro' Je-
fus Chrift, to redeem me from many polluti
ons, and to be a fuccour to me thro' a fea of
conflicts, with which no perfon was fully ac
quainted; and as my heart was often enlarg
ed in this heavenly principle, I felt a tender
compaffion for the youth, who remained en
tangled in fnares like thofe which had entan
gled me from one time to another: This love
and tendernefs increafed; and my mind was
more ftrongly engaged for the good of my fel
low-creatures. I went to meetings in an aw
ful frame of mind, and endeavoured to be
inwardly acquainted with the language of the
true Shepherd; and one day being under a
ftrong exereife of fpirit, I flood up, and faid
fome words in a meeting; but not keeping
clofe to the divine opening, I faid more than
was required of me; and being foon fenfible
of my error, I was afflicted in my mind fome
weeks, without any light or comfort, even to
that degree that I could not take fatisfadtion in
any thing : I remembered God, and was trou
bled; and, in the depth of my diftrefs, he
had pity upon me, and fent the Comforter : I
then felt forgivenefs for my offence, and my
mind became calm and quiet, being truly
thankful to my gracious Redeemer for his mer
cies; and after this, feeling the fpring of di
vine love opened, and a concern to fpeak, I
faid

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 13
faid a few words in a meeting, in which I
found peace; this, I believe, was about fix
weeks from the firft time: and, as I was thus
humbled and difciplined under the crofs, my
underftanding became more ftrengthened to
diftinguifh the pure fpirit which inwardly
moves upon the heart, and taught me to wait
in filence fomef!imes many weeks together,
until I felt that rife which prepares the crea
ture to ftand like a trumpet thro' which the
Lord fpeaks to hjs flock.
From an inward purifying, and ftedfaft abi
ding under it, fprings a lively operative defire •
for the good of others: All the faithfuL are
not called to the public miniftry; but whoever
are, are called to minifter of that which they
have tafted and handled fpiritually. The out
ward modes of worfhip are various; but
wherever any are true min.ifters of Jefus Chrift,
it is from the operation of his fpirit on then-
hearts, firft purifying them, and thus giving
them a juft fenfe of the conditions of others.
This truth was early fixed in my mind;
and I was taught to watch the pure opening,
and to take heed, left, while I was ftanding to
fpeak, my own will fhould get uppermoft,
and caufe me to utter words from worldly wif
dom, and depart from the channel of the true
gofpel miniftry. In the management of my
outward affairs, I may fay with thankfulnefs,
I found truth to be my fupport ; and I was
refpected in my matter's family, who came to
live in Mount-Holly within two years after
my going there. kbout

14 Trie LIFE and TRAVELS
About the twenty-third year of my age, I"
had many frefh and heavenly openings, in re-;
fpect to the care and providence of the Al
mighty over his creatures in general, and o-
ver man as the moft nbble amongft thofe
which are vifible. And being clearly convin
ced in my judgment, that to place my whole1
truft in God Was beft for me, I felt renewed
engagements, that in all things, I might ad
on an inward principle of virtue, and purfue
worldly bufinefs no further, than as truth o-
pened my Way therein.
About the time called Chriftmas, I obferved
many people from the country, and dwellers
in town, who, reforting to pnblick-houfes,
fpent their time in drinking and vain fports,.'
tending to corrupt one another; on which ac
count I was much troubled. At ohe houfe in
particular there was much diforder; and I be
lieved it was a duty incumbent on me to go
and fpeak to the mafter of that houfe. I con-
fidered I was young, and that feveral elderly'
friends in town had opportunity to fee thefe
things ; but tho' I would gladly have been ex-
cufed, yet I could not feel my mind clear.
The exercife was heavy: And as I was
reading what the Almighty faid to Ezekiel^
refpecting his duty as a watchman, the matter
was fet home more clearly ; and then, with
prayers and tears, I befought the Lord for his
affiftance, who, in loving-kindnefs, gave me
a refigned heart: Then, at a fui table oppor
tunity, I went to the publick-houfe ; and fee
ing the man amongft much company, I went to

of JOHN WOOLMAN. rS
to him, and told him, I wanted to fpeak with
him; fo we went afide, and there, in the fear
and dread of the Almighty, I expreft to him
what refted on my mind ; which he took kind
ly, and afterward fhewed more regard to me
than before. In a few years afterwards he di
ed, middle-aged; and I often thought, that
had I negleded my duty in that cafe, it would
have given me great trouble ; and I was humb^
ly thankful to my gracious Father, who had
fupported me herein.
My employer having a negro woman, fold
her, and defired me to write a bill of fale,
the man being waiting who bought her : The
thing was fudden ; and tho' the thoughts of
writing an inftrument of flavery for one of
my fellow-creatures felt uneafy, yet I remem
bered I was hired by the year, that it was my
m after who direded me to do it, and that it
was an elderly man, a member of our fociety,
who bought her; fo, thro' wdaknefs, I gave
way, and wrote it; but, at the executing it,
I was fo afflided in my mind, that I faid, be
fore my mafter and the friend, that I believed
flave-keeping to be a pradice inconfiftent
with the chriftian religion : This in fome de
gree abated my uneafinefs ; yet, as often as
I refleded ferioufly upon it, I thought I fhould
have been clearer, if I had defired to be ex-
cufed from it, as a thing againfl my confci
ence ; for fuch it was. And fome time after
this, a young man, of our fociety, fpoke to
me to write a conveyance of a flave to him ;
he having lately taken a houfe :

1 6 The LIFE and TRAVELS
I told him, I was not eafy to write it ; for,
tho' many of our meeting and in other places;
kept flaves,, I ftill believed the pradice was-
-riot ; right j. and defired to heexcufed fisom the
writing. I fpoke to him in good wild ; arid
he told me,, that keeping, flaves; wasnot alto
gether agreeable to his mind ; but that the,
flave being a gift made to his. wife, he , had
accepted of her.

CH A P.

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 17
CHAP. II.
His firft journey, on a religious vifit, into Eaft*
Jerfey, in company with Abraham Farrington —
His thoughts on merchandizing, and his learnt
ing a trade  His fecond journey, with Ifaac
Andrews*, into Pennfylvania, Maryland, Virgi*
nia, and Norih*Carolina.  His third journey,
with Peter Andrews, thro' part of Weft and
Eaft-Jerfey — -Some account of his fifier Eliza
beth, and her death  His fourth journey, with
Peter Andrews, thro* New-fork and Long-lfland,
to NewEngland-^ — And his fifth journey, with
John Sykes, to the Eaflern Shore of Maryland,
and the Lower Counties on Delaware.
MY efteemed friend Abraham Farring^
ton, being about to make a vifit to
friends on the eaflern fide of this province,
and having no companion, he propofed to
me to go with him ; and after a conference
with fome elderly friends, I agreed to go : So
we fet out the fifth day of the ninth month,
in the year 1 743 ; had an evening meeting at
a tavern in Brunfwick, a town in which
none of our fociety dwelt; the room was full, ,
and the people quiet. Thence to Amboy, and'
had an evening meeting in the court-houfe;
to which came many people, amongft whom
Were feveral members of aflembly, they be
ing in town on the public affairs of the pro,-
C virice

1 8* The LIFE and TRAVELS ,
vince: in both thefe meetings my antient
companion was enlarged to preach, in the
love, of the gofpel. Thence we went to Wood-
bridge, Raway, and Flainfield; and had fix-
or feven meetings in places where friends
meetings are- not ufualiy heLd, being made
up* chiefly of Presbyterians, and my beloved
companion was frequently ftrengthened to .
puplifli the word of Life, amongft them :
.As for, me, I was, often fijent thro' the
meetings; and when I fpake, it was with
much carei, that I might fpeak only what
truth opened: My mind was often tender,
and I learned fome profitable leffons. We
wece out about two weeks.
Near this time, being, on. fome outward bu-
finefs in which feveral families were concern
ed, and which was attended with difficulties,
fom£. th^n.g£, relating thereto not being clearly
ftaledv nqf rightly underftood by all, there
arofe. feme heat, in the minds of the parties,
an.d one valuable friend got off" his watch;.
I had a gre.atre.gard for him, and felt a ftrong.
inclination, after matters were fettled, to fpeak
to him. concerning his conduct in that cafe;
but I being a youth, and he far advanced in
age and experience,, my way appeared diffi
cult; but after fome days deliberation, and.
Inward feeking tQ. the Lord, for affiftancej I
was . madq , fubjed ;, fo that I expreft what lay
upon me, in a. way which became my youth,
and, his years: And tho' k was a hard. tafk.
to. me,, it. was well taken, and, I. believe, was.
ufeful.to us both. Having

of JOHN WOOLM AN, 19
Having now been feveral years with my
employer, and he doing lefs at merchandize
than heretofore, I Was thoughtful of fome
other way of bufinefs; perceiving merchan
dize to be attended with much cumber, in
the way of trading in thefe parts.
My mind, thro' the power of truth, Was*
in a good degree weaned from the defire! of
outward greatnefs, and I was learning to be
content with real conveniencies, that were.
not coflly; fo that a way of life, free from
much entanglements, appeared befl for me",
tho' the income might be fmall. I had feveral
offers of bufinefs that appeared profitable, but
did not fee my way clear to accept of them j
as believing the bufinefs propofed Would b&
attended with more outward care and cumber
than was required of me to engage in.
I faw that a humble man ; with the bleffing
of the Lord might live on a little : And that
where the heart was fet on greatnefs^ fucceft
in bufinefs did not fatisfy the craving; bat
that commonly with an increafe of wealthy
the defire of wealth increafed. There was a.
care on my mind fo to pafs my time', that
nothing might hinder me from the moft
fteady attention to the voice of the trUe Shep
herd. ,My employer, tho' now a retailer of goods*
was by trade a taylor, and kept a fervant-
man at that bufinefs ; and I began to think
about learning, the trade, expecting,, that if
I fhould fettle, I might, by this trade, and
a little retailing of goods, get a living
C 2 in

zo The LIFE and TRAVELS
in a plain way, without the load of great
bufinefs : I mentioned it to my employer,
and we foon agreed on terms 5 and then,
when I had leifure, from the affairs of mer
chandize, I worked with his man. I believed
the hand of Providence pointed out this bu
finefs for me ; and was taught to be content
with it, tho' I felt at times, a difpofition
that would have fought for fomething great
er: But thro' the revelation of Jefus Chrift,
I had feen the happinefs of humility, and
there was an earneft defire in me to enter
deep into it ; and, at times, this defire arofe
to a degree of fervent fupplication, wherein
my foul was fo environed with heavenly light
and confolation, that things were made eafy
to me which had been otherwife.
After fome time, my employer's wife died ;
fhe was a virtuous woman, and generally be
loved of her neighbours : And foon after this,
he left fhopkeeping ; and we parted. I then
Wrought at my trade, as a taylor ; carefully
attended meetings for worfhip and difcipline ;
and found an enlargement of gofpel love in
my mind, and therein a concern, to vifit
friends in fome of the back fettlements of
Pennfylvania and Virginia; and being
thoughtful about a companion, I expreffed it
to my beloved friend Ifaac Andrews, who
then told me that he had drawings to the
fame places ; and alfo to go thro' Maryland,
Virginia, and Carolina, After confiderable
time paft, and feveral conferences with him,
I felt eafy to accompany him throughout j
if

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 21
if way opened for it. I opened the cafe in
our monthly-meeting, and friends expreffing
their unity therewith, we obtained certificates
to travel, as companions; his from Haddon-
field, and mine from Burlington.
We left our province on the twelfth day
of the third month, in the year 1746, and
had feveral meetings in the upper part of
Chefter county, and near Lancafter ; in fome
of which, the love of Chrift prevailed, uni
ting us together in his fervice. Then we
crofted the river Sufquehannah, and had fe
veral meetings in a new fettlement, called
the Red-Lands; the oldeft of which, as I
was informed, did not exceed ten years. It
is the poorer fort of people that commonly
begin to improve remote deferts : With a
fmall flock they have houfes to build, lands
to clear and fence, corn to raife, cloaths to
provide, and children to educate; that friends,
who vifit fuch, may well fympathize with
them in their hardfhips in the wildernefs ;
and tho' the befl entertainment fuch can
give, may feem coarfe to fome who are ufed
to citieSj*or old fettled places, it becomes the
difciples of Chrift to be content with it. Our
hearts were fometimes enlarged in the love
of our heavenly Father amongft thefe people ;
and the fweet influence of his fpirit fup-
ported us thro' fome difficulties : To him be
the praife.
We pafFed on to ManoqUacy, Fairfax,
Hopewell, and Shanando, and had meet-,
ings; fome of which were comfortable and
edifying.

22 The LIFE and TRAVELS
edifying. From Shanando we fet off in the
afternoon for the old fettlements of friends in
Virginia ; and the firft night, we, with our
pilot, lodged in the woods, our horfes feed-,
ing near us; but he being poorly provided
with a horfe, and we young and having good
horfes, were free the next day to part with
him ; and did fo. In two days after, we
reached to our friend John Cheagb's, in Vir-.
ginia : So we took the meetings in our way
thro' Virginia ; were, in fome degree bap*
tized into a feeling fenfe of the conditi
ons of the people ; and our exercife in ge
neral was more painful in thefe old fettle-r
ments, than it had been amongft the back
inhabitants ; but thro* the goodnefs of our
heavenly Father, the Well of living-waters
was, at times, opened to our encouragement,
and the refrefhment of the fincere-heartedl
We went on to Perquimons, in North-Ca7
rolina; had feveral meetings which were
large; and found fome opennefs in thofe
partSj and a hopeful appearance amongft the
young people. So we turned again to 'V-irgU
nia, and attended moft of the meettng?
which we had not been at before, labouring
amoUgft friends in the love of Jefus Chrift,1
as ability was given : And thence went to the
mountains, up James River, to a new fettle-r
ment; and had feveral meetings amongft the
people, fome of whom had lately joined in
memberfhip with our fociety.
In our journeying to and fro, we found
fome honeft-hearted friends, who appeared to

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 23
to bfe concerned for the caufe of truth among
a backfliding people.
From Virginia, we crofted over the river
Patowmac, at Hoy's ferry,, and made a gene
ral vifit to the meetings of friends on the
Weftern Shore of Maryland ; and were at
their quarterly meeting. We had fome hard
labour amongft them, endeavouring to dif-
charge our duty honeftly as Way opened, in
the love of truth: And thence. taking fundry
meetings in our way, we pafled homeward ;
Where, thro' the favour of Divine Provi
dence, we reached the fixteentb. day : of the
fixth month, in the year .1746; and I may
fay, that thro' the affiftance of the Holy Spi
rit, which mortifies felfifh defires, my com
panion and I travelled in harmony, and part
ed in the nearnefs of true brotherly love.
Two things were remarkable to me in this
journey; firft, in regard to my ¦entertain
ment ; when I eat, drank, and lodged ff ee-
coft with people, who lived in eafe.on the
hard labour of their flaves, I felt uneafy ;
and as my mind was inward to the Lord* I
fbued, from place to plaCe, this uneafinefs
return upon me, at times, thro' the whole
vifit. Where the mailers bore a good fhare
of the burden, and lived frugally, fo that
their fervants were well provided for, and
their labour moderate, I felt rfiore eafy 5 but
where they lived in a coftly way, and laid
heavy burdens on their flaves, my etfercife
was often great, and I frequently had con-
-verfatioil with them, in private, concerning lt.

24 The LIFE and TRAVELS
it. Secondly, this trade of importing flaves
from their native country being much encou-
. raged amongft them; and the white people
and their children fo generally living with
out much labour, was frequently the fubjed
of my ferious thoughts : And I faw in thefe
fouthern provinces fo many vices and cor
ruptions, increafed by this trade and this way
of life, that it appeared to me as a dark
gloominefs hanging over the land ; and tho'
now many willingly run into it, yet in fu
ture the confequence will be grievous to pof-
terity : I exprefs 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 in-
creafirtg concern for friends on our fea-coaft \
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 beforementioned, we fet for*
ward, and vifited meetings generally about
Salemy Cape May, Great and little Egg-
Harbour ; and had meetings at Barnagat,
Mannahockin, and Mane-Squan, and fo to
the yearly meeting at Shrewfbury. Thro' the
goodnefs of the Lord way was opened, and
the flrength of divine love was fometimes
felt in our afFemblies, to the comfort and
help of thofe who were rightly concerned be
fore him, We were out twenty-two days,
and rode by computation, three hundred
and forty jriile§, At Shrewfbury yearly meet*

of JOHN WOOLMAN 25
ing, we met with our dear friends Michael
Lightfoot and Abraham Farrington, who had
good fervice there.
The winter following died my eldeft fifter,
Elizabeth Woolman, jun. of the fmall-pox,
aged thirty-one years. She was, from her
youth, of a thoughtful difpofition; and very
companionate to her acquaintance in their
ficknefs or diflrefs, being ready to help as
far as fhe could. She was dutiful to her*
parents; one inftance whereof follows: — Ft
happened that ihe, and two of her fillers, be
ing then near the eftate of young women,
had an inclination one firft day after meet
ing to go on a vifit to fome other young'
women at fome diftance off; whbfe compa
ny, I believe, would have done them no
good. > They expreft their defire to our pa
rents ; who were difFatisfied with the propo-
fal, and flopped them. The fame day, as
my fifta^ and I were together, and they
talking about their difappointment, Eliza
beth expreft her contentment under it ; fig-
nifying, fhe believed it might be for their
good. A few years after fhe attained to mature
age, thro' the gracious vifitations of God's
'love, fhe was ftrengthened to live a felf-deny-
ing exemplary life, giving herfelf much to
reading and meditation.
The following letter may fhew, in fome
degree, her difpofition :
1
j Haddonfield,

26 The LIFE and TRAVELS
HaadonSeia, i«ft day, i*th moitthf 1743.
Beloved brother John Woolnaain,
¦ In that love which defires the welfare of
all men, I write unto thee ; I received thine,
dated fecond day of the tenth month laft,
with which I was Comforted. My fpirit is
"bowed with thankfulnefs that I fhould be
remembered, who am unworthy -, but the
"Lord is full of mercy, and his goodnefs is
extended to the meaneft of his creation ;
therefore, in his infinite love, he hath pi
tied and fpared and fhewed mercy, that I
have not been cut off nor quite loft; but, at
times, I am refrefhed and comforted as with
the glimpfe of his prefence, which is more
to the immortal part, than -all which this
world can afford : So with defires for thy
prefervation with my own, I remain
thy aftedionate fifter,
Eliz. Woolman, jun.
-.ii. .
The fore part of her illnefs fhe Was in
jgreat fadnefs and dejedion of mind, of
which fhe told one of her intimate friends,
and faid, when I was a young girl I was
wanton and airy, but I thought T had tho- *
roughly repented for it ; and added, I have
of iate had great fatisfadion in meetings.
Tho' fhe was thus difconfolate, ftill fhe
retained a hope, which was as an anchor to
her: And fome time after, the fame friend came

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 27
came again to fee her, to whom fhe men
tioned her former expreffions, and faid, it is
otherwife now, for the Lord hath rewarded
me feven-fold ; and I am unable to exprefs
the greatnefs of his love manifefted to me.
Her diforder appearing dangerous, and our
mother being forrowful, fhe took notice of
it, and faid, dear mother, weep not for me;
I go to my God : And many times, with an
audible voice, uttered praife to her Re
deemer. A friend coming fome miles to fee her, the
morning before fhe died, afked her, how fhe
did? fhe anfwered, I have had a hard night,
but fhall not have another fuch, for I fhall
die, and it will be well with my foul ; and
(accordingly died the next evening.
- The following ejaculations were found
amongft her writings; wrote, 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 prefence ;
or elfe my time is loft, and my life a fnare
to my foul.
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 prefence, that I may be feafoned
with thy fait, that thy grace may abound in
me. Of

3& The LIFE and TRAVELS
Of late I found drawings in my mind to
vifit friends in New-England, and having
an opportunity of joining in company with
my beloved friend Peter Andrews ; we, hav
ing obtained certificates from our monthly-
meeting, fet forward on the fixteenth day of
the third month, in the year 1747? and
reached the yearly-meeting at Long-Ifland;
at which were our friends Samuel Notting
ham from England, John Griffith, Jane
Hofkins, and Elizabeth Hudfon from Penn
fylvania, and Jacob Andrews from Chefter-
field. Several of whom were favoured in
their public exercife ; and, thro' the good
nefs of" the Lord, we had fome edifying meet
ings. After this, my companion and I vi-
fited friends on Long-Ifland ; and thro' the
mercies of God, we were helped in the work.
Befides going to the fettled meetings of
friends, we were at a general meeting at Se-
tawket, chiefly made up of other focieties ;
and had a meeting at Oyfter-Bay, in a
dwelling-houfe, at which were many people :
At the firft of which there was not much faid
by way of teftimony ; but was, I believe, a
good meeting : At the latter thro' the fpring-
ing up of living-waters, it was a day to be
thankfully remembered. Having vifited the
ifland, we went over to the main, taking
meetings in our way, to Oblong, Nine-Part
ners and New-Milford.— In thefe back fettle
ments we met with feveral people, who,
thro' the immediate workings of the fpirit of

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 29
of Chrift on their minds, were drawn from
the vanities of, the world, to an inward ac
quaintance with him : They were educated in
the way of the Prefbyterians. A confiderable
number of the youth, members of that focie
ty, were ufed to fpend their time often toge
ther in merriment, but fome of the principal
young men of that company being vifited by
the powerful workings of the fpirit of Chrift,
and thereby led humbly to take up his crofs,
could no longer join in thofe vanities ; and
as thefe flood ftedfaft to that inward con-
vincement, they were made a bleffing to fome
of their former companions ; fo that, thro'
the power of truth, feveral were brought into
a clofe exercife concerning the eternal well-:
being of their fouls. Thefe young people
continued for a time to frequent their pub
lick worfhip; and befides that, had meetings
of their own ; which meetings were a while
allowed by their preacher, who fometimes
met with them : But, in time, their judg
ment in matters of religion, difagrceing with
fome of the articles of the prefbyterians,
their meetings were difapproved by that fo
ciety; and fuch of them who flood firm to
their duty, as it was inwardly manifefted,
had many difficulties to go thro' : And their
meetings were in a while dropped; fome of
them returning to the Prefbyterians, and o-
t.hers of them, after a time, joined to our re
ligious fociety.
I had converfation with fome of the latter,
to my help and edification; and believe feve ral

30 The LIFE and TRAVELS
ral of them are acquainted with the nature of
that worfhip, which is performed in fpirit
and in truth. From hence, accompanied by
Amos Powel, a friend from Long-Ifland, we
rode thro' Connedicut, chiefly inhabited by
Prefbyterians; who were generally civil to us,
fo far as I faw : And after three days riding,
we came amongft friends in the colony of
Rhode-Ifland. We vifited friends in and a-
bout Newport, and Dartmouth, and gene
rally in thofe parts ; and then to Bofton :•
And proceeded eatflward as far as Dover: And
then returned to Newport, and not far from
thence, we met our friend Thomas Gaw
throp from England ; who was then on a vi*
fit to thefe provinces. From Newport we
failed to Nantucket ; were there near a week ;
and from thence came over to Dartmouth :
And having finifhed our vifit in thefe parts,
we crofFed the Sound from New-London to
Long-Bland ; and taking fome meetings on
the ifland, proceeded homeward ; where we
reached the thirteenth day of the feventh
month, in the year 1747, having rode about
fifteen hundred railesv and failed about one
hundred, and fifty.
In this journey, I may fay in general, we1
were fometimes in much weaknefe, and la>>
boured under difcouragements ; and at othw
times, thro' the renewed manifeftations of di
vine love, we had feafons of refrefhment,
wherein the power of truth prevailed
We were taught, by renewed experience, i
to labour for an inward ftillnefs ; at no rinse to

of JOHN WOOLMAN. jr
to feek for words, but to live in the fpirit of
truth, and utter that to the people which
truth opened in us. My beloved companion
and I belonged both to one meeting, came
forth in the - miniftry near, the fame time, and
were inwardly united in the work : He was
about thirteen years older than I, bore the
heavieft burden, and was an inftrument of the
greateft ufe.
Finding a concern to vifit friends in the
Lower Counties on Delaware, and on the
Eaflern Shore of Maryland, and- having an
opportunity to join with my well-beloved
antient friend John Sykes, we obtained cer
tificates, and fet off the feventh day of the
eighth month, in the year 1 748, were at the
meetings: of friends in the lower counties, at
tended the yearly meetings at Little Creek,,
and made a vifit to chief of the meetings on
the. Eaftem Shore; and fo home by the way
of Nottingham: Were abroad about fix
weeks; aud rode by computation, about five
hundred and fifty miles.
Our exercife, at times-, was heavy ; but;
thro' the goodnefs of the Lord, We were of
ten refrefhed: And I may fay by- experience,
<tL He is' a ftronghold irr trre^ day of trouble."'
Tho' our focjety,. in thefe parts,, appeared to
me to be in a declining condition; yet F be
lieve, the Lord hatrr a people amongft them-,
who labour to.ferve him uprightly; but have-
many difficulties to- encounter. CHAP,

32 The LIFE and TRAVELS

CHAP. III.
His marriage  The death of his father  His
journeys into the upper part of New-Jerfey, and
afterwards into Pennfylvania  Confiderations
on keeping flaves, and his vifits to the families
of friends at feveral times and places  An e*
piffle from the general meeting — His journey to
Long'-Ijland  Confiderations on trading, and on
the ufe of fpirituous liquors and coftly apparel
 And his letter to a friend.
ABOUT this time believing it good for
me to fettle, and thinking ferioufly a-
bout a companion, my heart was turned to
the Lord with defires that he would give me
wifdom to proceed therein agreeable to his
will ; and he was pleafed to give me a well-
inclined damfel, Sarah Ellis ; to whom I was
married the eighteenth day of the eighth
rnonth, in the year 1 749.
In the fall of the year 1 750 died my fa
ther, Samuel Woolman, with a fever, aged
about fixty years.
In his life-time he manifefted much care
for us his children, that in our youth we
might learn to fear the Lord ; often endea
vouring to imprint in our minds the true
principles of virtue, and particularly to che-
rifh in us a fpirit of tendernefs, not only to
wards

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 22
Wards poor people, but alfo towards all crea
tures of which we had the command.
After my return from Carolina in the year
1746, I made fome obfervatidns* on keeping
flaves, which fome time before his deceafe I
fhewed him ; and 'he perufed the manufcript,
jpropofed a few alterations, and appeared well
fatisfied that I found a concern on that ac
count : And in his laft ficknefs as I was
Watching with him one night, he being fo
far fpent that there was no expedation of his
recovery, but had the perfed ufe of his un^
derftanding, he afked me concerning the ma-»
nufeript, whether I expeded foon to proceed
to take the advice of friends in publishing it,?
and, after fome converfation thereon, faid, I
have all along been deeply affeded with the
oppreffion of the poor negroes ; and now, at
laft, my concern for them is as great as ever.
By his diredion, I had wrote his will in a
time of health, and that night he defired me
to read it to him, which I did ; and he faid,
it was agreeable to his mind. He then made
mention of his end, which he believed was
now near ; and fignified, that tho' he was
fenfible of many imperfedions in the courfe
of his life, yet his experience of the power
of truth, and of the love and goodnefs of
God from time to time, even till -now, was
fuch, that he had no doubt but that in leav
ing this life he fhould enter into one more
happy. The next day his fifter Elizabeth came to
fee him, and told him of the deceafe of their
D fifter

34 The LIFE and TRAVELS
fifter Ann ; who died a few days before : He
then faid, I reckon fifter Ann was free to
leave this world? Elizabeth faid, fhe was:
He then faid, I alfo am free to leave it ; and
being in great weaknefs of body faid, I hope
I fhall fhortly go to reft. He continued in
a weighty frame of mind, and was fenfible
'till near the laft.
On the fecond day of the ninth month, in
the year 175 1 , feeling drawings in my mind
to vifit friends at the Great Meadows, in the
upper part of Weft-Jerfey, with the unity of
our monthly-meeting, I went there; and had
fome fearching laborious exercife amongft
friends in thofe parts, and found inward
peace therein.
In the ninth month of the year 1753, in
. company with my well-efteemed friend John
Sykes, and with the unity of friends, we
travelled about two weeks, vifiting friends
in Bucks-County. We laboured in the love
of the gofpel, according to the meafure re
ceived ; and thro' the mercies of Him, who
is ftrength to the poor who truft in him, we
found fatisfadion in our vifit : And in the
next winter, way opening to vifit friends fa
milies within the compafs of our monthly-
meeting, partly by the labours of two friends
from Pennfylvania, I joined in fome part of
this work ; having had a defire fome time that
it might go forward amongft us.
About this time, a perfon at fome diftance
lying fick, his brother came to me to write
his will : I knew he had flaves ; and afking hit

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 35
his brother, was told he intended to leave
them as flaves to his children. As writing is
a profitable employ, and as offending fober
people was difagreeable to my inclination, I
was ftraitened in my mind ; but as I looked
to the Lord, he inclined my heart to his tefc
timony : And I told the man, that I believed
the pradice of continuing flavery to this
people was not right; and had a fcruple in
my mind againfl doing writings of that
kind : That tho' many in our fociety kept
them as flaves, ftill I was not eafy to be con^
cerned in it ; and defired to be excufed from
going to write the will. I fpake to him in
the fear of the Lord ; and he made no reply
to what I faid, but went away : He alfo had
fome concerns in the pradice ; and I thought
he was difpleafed with me. In this cafe I
had a frefh confirmation, that ading con-'
trary to prefent outward intereft, from a raoj
tive of divine love, and in regard to truth
and righteoufnefs, and thereby incurring the
refentments of people, opens the way to a
treafure better than filver, and to a friend-'
fhip exceeding the friendfhip of men.
The manufcript before-mentioned having
laid by me feveral years, the publication of
it refted weightily upon me ; and this year I
offered it to the revifal of friends, who, hav
ing examined and made fome fmall altera
tions in it, direded a number of copies there
of to be. publifhed and difperfed amongft
friends. D 2 In

36 The LIFE and TRAVELS
In the year 1 754, I found my mind drawn
to join in a vifit to friends families belonging
to Chefterfield monthly-meeting; and hav
ing the approbation of our own, I went to
their monthly-meeting in order to confer
with friends, and fee if way opened for it :
I had conference with fome of their mem
bers, the propofal having been opened before
in their meeting, and one friend agreed to
join with me as a companion for a begin
ning ; but when meeting was ended, I felt
great diflrefs of mind, and doubted what
way to take, or whether to go home and wait
for greater clearnefs : I kept my diflrefs fe-
cret ; and going with a friend to his houfe,
my defires were to the great Shepherd for his
heavenly inftrudion ; and in the morning I
felt eafy to proceed on the vifit, being very
low in my mind : And as mine eye was turn
ed to the Lord, waiting in families in deep
reverence before him, he was pleafed graci-
oufly to afford help ; fo that we had many
comfortable opportunities, and it appeared as
a frefh vifitation to fome young people. I
fpent feveral weeks this winter in the fervice ;
part of which time was employed near home.
And again in the following winter I was fe-^
veral weeks in the fame fervice ; fome part of
the time at Shrewfbury, in company with my
beloved friend John Sykes ; and have caufe
humbly to acknowledge, that thro' the good
nefs of the Lord, our hearts were, at times,
enlarged in his love ; and ftrength was given to

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 37
to go thro' the trials which, in the courfe of
our vifit, attended us.
From a difagreement between the powers
of England and France, it was now a time
of trouble on this Continent; and an epiftle
to friends went forth from our general fpring
meeting, which I thought good to give a
place in this journal.
An EPISTLE from our general fpring meet
ing of minifters and elders for Pennfylva
nia and New-Jerfey, held at Philadelphia,
from the twenty-ninth of the third month,
to the firft of the fourth month, inclufive,
1755.
To friends on the continent of America.
Dear friends, ...
IN an humble fenfe of divine goodnefs, and
the gracious continuation of God's love to
his people, we tenderly falute you ; and are
at this time therein engaged in mind, that all
of us who profefs the truth, as held forth
and publifhed by our worthy predeceflbrs in
this latter age of the world, may keep near
to that life which is the light of men, and be
Strengthened to hold faft the profeflion of our
faith without wavering, that our truft 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 duft of the balance, and her inha-
" bitants as grafshoppers." Ifa xl. 22. We

38 The LIFE and TRAVELS
We (being convinced that the gracious de-
fign of the Almighty in fending his Son in
to the world, was to repair the breach made
by difobedience, to finifti fin and tranfgref-
fion, 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 ceafe from thofe
national contefts produdive of mifery and
bloodfhed, and fubmit our caufe to Him
the Moft High, whofe tender love to his chil
dren exceeds the moft warm affedions of na
tural parents, and who hath promifed to his
feed throughout the earth, as to one indivi
dual, " I will never leave thee, nor forfake
" thee." Heb. xiii. 5. And as we, thro' the
gracious dealings of the Lord our God, have
had experience of that work which is car
ried on, " not by earthly might, nor by pow^.
" er, but by my fpirit, faith the Lord of
u Hofts :" Zech. iv. 6. By which operati
on, that fpiritual kingdom is fet up, which
is to fubdue and break in pieces all kingr
doms that oppofe it, and Shall fland for ever,
In a deep fenfe thereof, and of the fafety,
liability and peace there is in it, we are de-:
firous that all who profefs the truth, may
be inwardly acqiiainted with it, and thereby
be qualified to ad in all parts of our life
as becomes our peacable profeffion : And
we truft, as there is a faithful continuance
to depend wholly upon the almighty arm,
from one generation to another, the peace
able kingdom will gradually be extended
K from fea to. fe£, and from the river to the
*' ends.

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 39
** ends of the earth," Zech. ix. 10. to the
completion of thofe prophefies already be
gun, that " nation fhall not lift up a fword
" againfl nation, nor learn war any more."
Ifa. ii. 4. Micah iv. 3.
And. dearly beloved friends, feeing we have
thefe promifes, and believe that God is begin
ning to fulfil them, let us conftantly endeavour
to have our minds fufficiently difentangled
from the forfeiting cares of this life, and re
deemed from the love of the world, that no
earthly pofTeflions nor enjoyments may bias
our judgments, or turn us from that refigna-
tion, and entire truft in God, to which his
bleffing is moft furely annexed -, then may
we fay, " Our Redeemer is mighty, he will
" plead our caufe for us." Jer. 1. 34. And if,
for the further promoting his moft gracious
purpofes in the earth, he fhould give us to
tafte of that bitter cup which his faithful ones
liave often partook of: O that we may be
rightly prepared to receive it !
And now, dear friends, with refped to the
commotions and ftirrings of the powers of
the earth at this time near us, we are defi-
rous that none of us may be moved thereat ;
' But repofe ourfelves in the munition of
' that rock that all thefe fhakings Shall not
' move, even in the knowledge and feeling
' of the eternal power of God, keeping us
* fubjedly 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
1 the

40 The LIFE and TRAVELS
* the worldly part in any, is the changeable
' part, and that is up and down, full and
' empty, joyful and forrowful, as things go
' well or ill in this world ; for as the truth
¦ is but one, and many are made partakers
' of its fpirit, fo the world is but one, and
' many are made partakers of the fpirit of
' it ; and fo many as do partake of it, fo
' many will be ftraitened and perplexed with
* it : but they who are Single to the truth,
c waiting daily to feel the life and virtue of
- it in their hearts, thefe Shall rejoice in the
' midft of adverfity,' and have to experience
with the prophet, That " Altho' the fig-
" tree Shall not bloflbm, neither fhall fruit
" be in the vines; the labour of the olive
" fhall fail, and the fields fhall yield no
" meat ; the flock fhall be cut off from the
** fold, and there fhall be no herd in the
" flails ; yet will they rejoice in the Lord,
¦' and joy in the God of their falvation.'*
Hab. iii. 17, 18.
If, contrary to this, we profefs the truth,
and not living under the power and influx
ence of it, are producing fruits difagreeable
to the purity thereof, and truft to the ftrength
of man to Support ourfelves, therein our con
fidence will be vain. For He, who removed
the hedge from his vineyard, and gave it to
be trodden under foot, by reafon of the wild
grapes it produced, (Ifa. v. 5.) remains un
changeable : and if, for the chaftifement of
wickednefs, and the further promoting his
own

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 41
own glory, he doth arife, even to fhake ter
ribly the earth, who then may oppofe him,
and profper !
We remain, in the love of the gofpel,
your friends and brethren.
Signed by fourteen friends,
Scrupling to do writings relative to keep
ing flaves, having been a means of fundry
fmall trials to me, in which I have fo evi
dently felt my own will fet afide, that I think
jt good to mention a few of them  Tradef-
men and retailers of goods, who depend on
their bufinefs for a living, are naturally in
clined to keep the good-will of their custom
ers : nor is it a pleafant thing for young
men to be under any nceffity to queftion the
judgment or honefty of elderly men, and
more efpecially of fuch who have a fair re-^
putation. Deeper-rooted cuftoms, tho' wrong,
are not eafily altered ; but it is the duty of
every one to be firm in that which they cer
tainly know is right for them. A charitable
benevolent man, well acquainted with a ne-r
gro, may, I believe, under fome circumr-
ftances, keep him in his family as a fervant,
on no other motives than the negroe's good;
but man, as man knows not what Shall be af
ter him, hor hath he any afFurance that his
children will attain to that perfedion in wif
dom and goodnefs necefFary rightly to exer-
cife fuch power: Hence it is clear to me, that
I ought not to be the fcribe where wills are
drawn.

42 The LIFE and TRAVELS
drawn; in which fome children are made ab-
folute matters over others during life.
About this time, an antient man of good
efteem in the neighbourhood, came to my
houfe to get his will wrote; he had young
negroes : and I afked him privately, how he
purpofed to difpofe of them ? he told me :
I then faid, I cannot write thy will, without
breaking my own peace ; and refpedfully
gave him my reafons for it : He fignified that
he had a choice that I fhould have wrote it ;
but as I could not, confiftent with my con
fcience, he did not defire it : And fo he got
it wrote by fome other perfon. 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 fon, to whom he intended to give them,
was, fince he firft fpoke to me, from a liber
tine, become a fober young man ; and he
fuppofed, that I would have been free, on
that account, to write it. We had much
friendly talk on the fubjed, and then de
ferred it : And a few days after, he came
again, and direded their freedom ; and fo I
wrote his will.
Near the time the laft mentioned friend
firft fpoke to me, a neighbour received a bad
bruife in his body, and fent for me to bleed
him ; which being done, he defired me to
write his will : I took notes ; and, amongft
other things, he told me to which of his
children he gave his young negro : I confi-
dered the pain and diflrefs he was in, and
knew

of JOHN WOOLMAN 43
knew not how it would end ; fo I wrote his
will, fave only that part concerning his flave,
and carrying it to his bed-fide, read it to him ;
and then told him in a friendly way, that I
could not write any inftruments by which my
fellow-creatures were made flaves, without
bringing trouble on my own mind : I let him
know that I charged nothing for what I had
done j and defired to be execufed from doing
the other part in the way he propofed : We
then had a ferious conference on the fubjed ;
at length, he agreeing to fet her free, I finifhed
his will.
Having found drawings in my mind to
vifit friends on Long-Ifland, after obtaining
a certificate from our monthly-meeting, I
fet off on the twelfth day of the fifth month,
in the year 1756. When I reached the ifland,
I lodged the firft night at the houfe of my
dear friend Richard Hallet : The next day, be
ing the firft of the week, I was at the meet
ing in Newtown ; in which we experienced
the renewed manifestations of the love of Je-
fus Chrift, to the comfort of the honeft-heart
ed. I went that night to Flufhing and the
next day, in company with my beloved
friend Matthew Franklin, we crofted the fer
ry at White^Stone; were at three meetings
on the main, and then returned to the ifland ;
where I fpent the remainder of the week in
vifiting meetings. The Lord, I believe, hath
a people in thofe parts, who are honeftly in
clined to ferve him ; but many, I fear, are
Joo much clogged with the things of this life, and

44 The LIFE and TRAVELS
and do not come forward bearing the crofs in
fuch faithfulnefs as he calls for.
My mind was deeply engaged in this vifit,
both in public and private : And, at feveral
places where I was, on obferving that they
had flaves, I found myfelf under a neceffity,
in a friendly way, to labour with them on
that fubjed ; expreffing, as way opened, the
inconfiftency of that pradice with the purity
of the chriftian religion, and the ill effeds of
it manifefted amongft us.
The latter end of the week, their yearly-
meeting began ; at which were our friends
John Scarbrough, Jane Hofkins, and 'Sufan-
Uah Brown, from Pennfylvania : The publick
meetings were large, and meafurably favour
ed with divine goodnefs.
The exercife of my mind, at this meeting,
was chiefly on account of thofe who were
confidered as the foremoft rank in the foci
ety : and in a meeting of minifters and el
ders, way opened, that I exprefTed in fome
meafure what lay upon me ; and at a time
when friends were met for tranfading the
affairs of the church, having fat a while fi-
lent, I felt a weight on my mind, and flood
up ; and, thro' the gracious regard of our
heavenly Father, ftrength was given fully
to clear myfelf of a burden, which for fome
days had been increafing upon me.
Thro' the humbling difpenfations of Di
vine Providence, men are fometimes fitted
for his fervice. The mefFages of the prophet
Jeremiah were fo difagreeable to the people, and

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 45
and fo reverfe to the fpirit they lived in, that
he became the objed of their reproach : and
in the weaknefs of nature, thought of defift-
ing from his prophetick office; but, faith he,
" His word was in my heart as a burning
" fire fhut up in my bones ; and I was weary
" with forbearing, and could not flay." I
faw at this time, that if I was honeft in de
claring that which truth opened in me, I
could not pleafe all men ; and laboured to
be content in the way of my duty, however
difagreeable 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 fenfe where
of I went home : Having been out about
twenty-four days, and rode about three
hundred and fixteen miles.
While I was out on this journey, my heart
was much affeded with a fenfe of the ftate
of the churches in our fouthern provinces ;
and believing the Lord was calling me to
fome further labour amongft them, I was
bowed in reverence before him, with fervent
defires that I might find ftrength to refign
myfelf up to his heavenly will.
Until this year, 1756, I continued to re
tail goods, befides following my trade as a
taylor ; about which time, I grew uneafy
on account of my bufinefs growing too cum-
berfome. I had began with felling trim
mings for garments, and from thence pro
ceeded to fell cloths and linens ; and, at
length,

46 The LIFE and TRAVELS
length, having got a confiderable fhop of
goods, my trade increafed every year, and
the road to large bufinefs appeared open ; but
I felt a flop in my mind.
Thro' 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
fmall family ; and on ferious consideration,
I believed truth did not require me to engage.
in much cumbering affairs : It had been my
general pradice to buy and fell things really
ufeful : Things that Served chiefly to pleafe the
vain mind in people, I was not eafy to trade
in ; feldom did it ; and whenever I did, I
found it weaken me as a chriftian.
The increafe of bufinefs became my bur
den ; for tho' my natural inclination was
toward merchandize, yet I believed truth re
quired me to live more free from outward
cumbers; and there was now a ftrife in my
mind between the two ; and in this exercife
my prayers were put up to the Lord, who
gracioufly heard me, and gave me a heart re-
figned to his holy will : Then I leflened my
outward bufinefs ; and, as I had opportuni
ty, told my cuftomers of my intentions, that
they might confider what Shop to turn to:
And, in a while, wholly laid down merchan
dize, following my trade as a taylor ; myfelf
only, having no apprentice. I alfo had a
nurfery of appletrees; in which I employed
fome of my time in hoeing, grafting, trim
ming, and inoculating. In merchandize it
is the cuftom, where I lived, to fell chiefly on

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 47
on credit, and poor people often get in debt ;
and when payment is expeded, not. having
wherewith to pay, their creditors often fue
for it at law. Having often obferved occur
rences of this kind, I found it good for me
to advife poor people to take fuch goods as
were moft ufeful and not coftly.
In the time of trading, I had an opportu
nity of feeing, that the too liberal ufe of Spi
rituous liquors, and the cuftom of wearing
too coftly apparel, led fome people into great
inconveniencies ; and thefe two things appear
to be often conneded one with the other ; for
by nbt attending to that ufe of things which
is confiftent with univerfal righteoufnefs,
there is an increafe of labour which extends
beyond what our heavenly Father intends for
us : And by great labour, and often by much
fweating, there is, even among fuch who are
not drunkards, a craving of fome liquors to
revive the fpirits : That partly by the luxuri
ous drinking of fome, and partly by the
drinking of others, (led to it thro' immo
derate labour) very great quantities of rum
are every year expended in our colonies ; the
greater part of which we fhould have no need
of, did we fteadily attend to pure wifdom.
When men take pleafure in feeling their
minds elevated with Strong drink, and fo in
dulge their appetite as to diforder their un
derstandings, negled their duty as members
in a family or civil fociety, and caft off all
regard to religion, their cafe is much to be
pitied ; and where fuch whofe lives are for
the

48 The LIFE and TRAVELS
the moft part regular, and whofe examples'
have a ftrong influence on the minds of
others, adhere to fome cuftoms which power
fully draw to the ufe of more Strong liquor
than pure wifdom allows; this alfo, as it
hinders the fpreading of the fpirit of meek-
nefs, and ftrengthens the hands of the more
exceffive drinkers, is a cafe to be lamented.
As every degree of luxury hath fome eon<-
nexion with evil ; for thofe who profefs to be
difciples of Chrift, and are looked upon as
leaders of the people, to have that mind in
them, which was alfo in Chrift, and fo ftand
feparate from every wrong way, is a means
of help to the weaker. As I have fometimes
been much fpent in the heat, and taken fpi-
rits to revive me, I have found by expert
ence, that in fuch circumftances the mind is
not fo calm, nor fo fitly difpofed for divine
meditation, as when all fuch extreams are
avoided ; and I have felt an increasing care
to attend to that holy Spirit which fets right
bounds to our defires ; and leads thofe who
faithfully follow it, to apply all the gifts of
Divine Providence to the purpofes for which
they were intended. Did Such who have the
care of great eftates, attend with finglenefs
of heart to this heavenly Inftrudor, which
fo opens and enlarges the mind, that men
love their neighbours as themfelves, they
would have wifdom given them to manage,
without finding occafion to employ fome peo
ple in the luxuries of life, or to make it ne-
ceflary for others to labour too hard ; but for
want

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 49
Want of fteadily regarding this principle of
divine love, a Selfifh fpirit takes place in the
minds of people, which is attended with
darknefs and manifold confufions in the
world. Tho' trading in things ufeful is an ho-
neft employ ; yet thro' the great number of
fuperfluities which are bought and fold, and
thro' 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
fcribe : " Seekeft thou great things for thyfelf?
" feek them not."
In the winter, this year, I was engaged
with friends in vifiting families ; and, thro'
the goodnefs of the Lord, we had oftentimes
experience of his heart-tendering prefence
amongft us.

A copy of a letter wrote to a friend.
IN this thy late afflidion I have found a
deep fellow-feeling with thee ; and had a
fecret hope throughout, that it might pleafe
the Father of mercies to raife thee up, and
fandify thy troubles to thee ; that thou be
ing more fully acquainted with that way
which the world efteem s foolifh, may feel the
cloathing of divine fortitude, and be Strength
ened to refift that fpirit which leads from the
Simplicity of the everlafting truth.
E We

5,o The LIFE and TRAVELS
We may fee ourfelves crippled and hali
ing, and from a ftrong bias to things pies
fant and eafy, find an impoflibility to advanc
forward ; but things impoflible with men ar
poffible with God ; and our wills being mac
fubjed to his, all temptations are furmoun
able. This work of fubjeding the will, is con
pared to the mineral in the furnace ; whicl
thro' fervent heat, is reduced from its fir
principle : " He refines them, as Silver
" refined — He fhall fit as a refiner, and pi
" rifier of filver." By thefe comparifon
we are inftruded in the neceffity of the mell
ing operation of the hand of God upon u
to prepare our hearts truly to adore him, an
manifefl that adoration, by inwardly turr
ing away from that fpirit in all its working!
which is not of him. To forward this wor
the all-wife God is fometimes pleafed, thn
outward diflrefs to bring us near the gate
of death ; that life being painful and amid
ing, and the profped of eternity open befor
us, all earthly bonds may be loofened, an
the mind prepared for that deep and facre
inftrudion, which otherwife would not b
received. If kind parents love their childre
and delight in their happinefs, then He, wh
is perfect goodnefs, in fending abroad morta
contagions, doth alfuredly dired their ufe—
Are the righteous removed by it, their chang
is happy ; are the wicked taken away in thei
wickednefs, the Almighty is clear : Do W
pal

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 51
pafs thro' with anguifh, and great bitter-
nefs, and yet recover, He intends that we
ftiould be purged from drofs, and our ear
opened to difcipline.
And now on thy part, after thy fore af-
flidion and doubts of recovery, thou art
again reftored, forget not Him who hath
helped thee; but in humble gratitude hold
faft his inftrudions, thereby to fhun thofe
bye-paths which lead from the firm founda
tion. I am fenfible of that variety of com
pany, to which one in thy bufinefs muft be
expofed : I have painfully felt the force of
converfation proceeding from men deeply
rooted in an earthly mind, and can fympa-
thize with others in fuch conflids, in that
much weaknefs ftill attends me.
I find that to be a fool as to worldly wif
dom, and commit my caufe to God, not fear
ing to offend men, who take offence at the
Simplicity of truth, is the only way to re
main unmoved at the fentiments of others.
The fear of man brings a fnare: By halt
ing in our duty, and giving back in the time
of trial, our hands grow weaker, our fpirits
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 tho' it was not
for us to follow them.
There is a love clothes my mind while I
write, which is fuperior to all expreffions ;
and I find my heart open to encourage to a
holy emulation, to advance forward in chrif-
E 2 tian

Si ¦ The LPFE and TRAVELS
tian firrrmefs. Deep humility is a ftrong bul
wark; and as We enter' into it, wTe find fafe-
ty and true exaltation: The foolifhnefs of God
is wifer than man, and the weaknefs, of • God
¦is ftr-onger than man; '""'¦ Being Uncloathed of
our own wifdom,' and knowing' the abafe-
ment of the creature, therein we -find that
power to arife, which Ogives health and* vigor
to^ -us. '

:C H A P. IV.
His vifit ing the,, families of friends at Burlington
—>— Hi's journey to Pennfylvania, .Maryland, Vir
ginia, -and Nor tk-Cdrclinar— Confiderations on. the
fiafe of- friends there ; and the exercife he was wi-
¦ der in travelling among thofe fo generally concern0
ed in keeping flaves f With fonte ohf er vat ions in
conver/aiion, at feveral times, on this fubjecl—^—-
Hls epiftle to friends at New-Garden and Cane-^
Creek— r^-His thoughts- on the neglec'l of a religj'
pus care in the: education of the negroes.
THE thirteenth day of the fecond month'*
in the year 1757, being then in good;
health, and abroad with friends: vifiting fa
milies, I lodged at a friend's houfe, in Bur<7
Imgton; and going to. bed about the timft
ufual with me, I awoke in the night, and] my |

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 53
my meditations, as I lay, were on the good
nefs and mercy of the Lord ; in a fenfe
whereof my heart was contrite. After this, I
went to fleep again ; and fleeping a Short
time, I awoke ; it was yet dark, and no ap
pearance of day nor moonfhine ; and as I
opened mine eyes, I faw a light in my cham
ber at the apparent distance of five feet, about
nine inches diameter,, of a clear eafy bright-
nefs, and near its center the moft radiant:
As I lay ftill without any Surprize looking
upon it, words were fpoken to my inward
ear, which filled my whole, inward man ;
They were not the effed of thought, nor any
conclufion in relation to the appearance, but
as the language of the Holy One fpoken in
my mind ; the words were, CERTAIN EVI
DENCE of DIVINE TRUTH ; and were a-
gain repeated exadly in the fame manner ;
whereupon the light difappeared.
Feeling the exercife in relation to a vifit
to the Southern Provinces to increafe upon
me, I acquainted our monthly-meeting there
with, and obtained their certificate ; exped-
ing to go alone, one of my brothers, who liv
ed in Philadelphia, having fome bufinefs in
North-Carolina, propofed going with me
part of the way ; but as he had a view of
fome outward affairs, to accept of him as a
companion feemed fome difficulty with me,
whereupon I had converfation with him at
fundry times ; and, at length feeling eafy in
my mind, I had converfation with feveral
elderly friends of Philadelphia on the fubjed;
?Z; and

|4 The LIFE and TRAVELS
and he obtaining a certificate fuitable to the
occafion, we fet off" in the fifth month of the
year 1 757 : And coming to Nottingham week
day meeting, lodged at John Churchman's
and here I met with our friend Benjamin
Buffington, from NewrEngland, who was re,
turning from a vifit to the Southern Pro->
vinces. Thence we crofTed the river Suf-
quehannah, and lodged at William Cox's in
Maryland ; and foon after I entered this pro^r
vince, a deep and painful exercife came upon
me, which I often had fome feeling of, fince
my mind was drawn toward thefe parts, and
with which I had acquainted my brother be-?
fore we agreed to join as companions.
As the people in this and the Southern Pro-;
vinces live much on the labour of flaves,
many of whom are ufed hardly, my con
cern was, that I might attend with finglenefs
of heart to the voice of the true Shepherd,
and be fo Supported as to remain unmoved
at the faces of men.
As it is common for friends on fuch a vi
fit to have entertainment free of coft, a dif?
ficulty arofe in my mind With refped tq
faving my money by kindnefs received,
which to me appeared to be the gain of op-
preffion. Receiving a gift, confidered as a gift,
brings the receiver under obligations to the
benefador, and has a natural tendency to
draw the obliged into a party with the giver.
Tq prevent difficulties of this kind, and tq
preferye the minds of judges from any bia?, was

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 55
was that divine prohibition ; " Thou fhalt
" not receive any gift: for a gift blindeth
*' the wife, and perverteth the words of the
4 righteous." Exod xxiii. 8. As the difci
ples were fent forth without any provifion for
their journey, and our Lord faid the work
man is worthy of his meat, their labour in
the gofpel was confidered as a reward for
their entertainment, and therefore not re
ceived as a gift ; yet, in regard to my prefent
journey, I could not fee my way clear in that
refped. The difference appeared thus : The
entertainment the difciples met with, was
from fuch whofe hearts God had opened to
receive them, from a love to them, and the
truth they publifhed: but we, confidered as
members of the fame religious fociety, look
upon it as a piece of civility to receive each
other in fuch vifits ; and fuch reception, at
times, is partly in regard to reputation, and
not from an inward unity of heart and fpi
rit. Condud is more convincing than lan
guage ; and where people, by their adions,
manifeft that the Slave-trade is not fo difa
greeable to their principles but that it may
be encouraged, there is not a found uniting
with fome friends who vifit them. >
The profped of fo weighty a work, and be
ing fo distinguished from many who I
efteemed before myfelf, brought me very low ;
and fuch were the eonflids of my foul, that
I had a near fympathy with the prophet, in
the time of his weaknefs, when he faid, " If
*' |hou deal thus with me? kUl me, I pray
" thee

S6 The LIFE and TRAVELS
" thee, if I have found favour in thy fight ;''
Numb. xi. 1.5. but I foon faw that this pro*
ceeded from the want of a full refignation to
the divine will. Many were the afrlidions
which attended me; and in great abafement,
with many tears, my cries were to the Al
mighty, for his gracious and fatherly affift,
ance ; and then, after a time of deep trial,
I Was favoured to underftand the ftate men7
tioned by the pfalmift more clearly than ever
I had before; to wit : " My foul is even as
" a weaned child." Pfaim cxxxi. 2. Being
thus helped to fink down into refignation, I
felt a deliverance from that tempeft in which
I had been forely exercifed, and in calmnefs
of mind went forward, trailing that the Lord
Jefus Chrift, as I faithfully attended to him,
would be a counfellor to me in all difficult
ties ; and that by his ftrength I fhould be en-j
abled even to leave money with the members
of fociety where I had entertainment, when
I found that omitting of it would obftrud
that work to which I believed he had called
me : And as I copy this after my return, I
may here add, that oftentimes I did fo, under
a fenfe of duty ; the way in which I did it was
thus : When I expeded foon to leave a friend's
houfe where I had entertainment, if I be-*
lieved that I fhould not keep clear from the
gain of qppreffion without leaving money, I
fpoke to one of the heads of the family pri-i
vately, and defired them to accept of thofe
pieces of filver, and give them to fuch of
{heir negroes as they believed would make the

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 57
the befl ufe of them ; and at other times, I
gave them to the negroes myfelf, as the way
looked cleareft to me: As I expeded this be
fore I came out, I had provided a large num
ber of fmall pieces ; and thus offering them
to fome who appeared to be wealthy people,
was a trial both to me and them : But the
fear of the Lord fo covered me at times, that
my way was made eafier than I expeded ;
and few, if any, manifefted any refentment
at the offer, and moft of them, after fome
talk, accepted of them.
The feventh day of the fifth month, in the
year 1757, lodged at a friend's houfe ; and
the next day, being the firft of the week, was
at Potapfco meeting ; then crofted Patuxent
river, and lodged at a publick-houfe.
On the ninth, breakfafted at a friend's
houfe; who afterward, putting us a little on
our way, I had converfation with him, in
the fear of the Lord, concerning, his flaves ;
in which my heart was tender, and I ufed
much plainnefs of fpeech with him, which he
appeared to take kindly. We purfued our
journey without appointing meetings, being
preSFed in my mind to be at the yearly-meet-r
ing in Virginia, and in my travelling on the
road, I often felt a cry- rife from the center
of my mind, thus : O Lord, I am a Stran
ger on the earth, hide not thy face from me.
On the eleventh day of the fifth month, we
croSFed the rivers Patowmack and Rapahan-
pock, and lodged at Port-Royal : And on the
way we happening in company .with a colo-^ nel

5S The LIFE and TRAVELS
nel of the militia, who appeared to be a
thoughtful man; I took occafion to remark
on the difference in general betwixt a people
ufed to labour moderately for their, living,
training up their children in frugality and
bufinefs, and thofe who live on the labour
of flaves ; the former, in my view, being the
moft happy life : With which he concurred,
and mentioned the trouble arifing from the
untoward, Slothful difpofition of the negroes;
adding, that one of our labourers would do
as much in a day as two of their flaves. I
replied, that free-men, whofe minds were
properly on their bufinefs, found a fatisfac-
tion in improving, cultivating, and providing
for their families ; but negroes labouring to
fupport others who claim them as their pro
perty, and expeding nothing but flavery
during life, had not the like inducement to
be induftrious.
After fome further converfation, I faid,
that men having power, too often mifap-
plied it ; that tho' we made flaves of the ne
groes, and the Turks made flaves of the
Christians, I however believed that liberty
was the natural right of all men equally :
Which he did not deny ; but faid, the lives
of the negroes were fo wretched in their own
country, that many of them lived better here
than there : I only faid, there is great odds
in regard to us, on what principle we ad ;
and fo.the converfation on that fubjed ended:
And I may here add, that another perfon,
fome time afterward, mentioned the wretch- edneft

of JOHN WOOLMAN 59
ednefs of the negroes, occafioned by their
inteftine wars, as an argument in favour of
our fetching them away for flaves : To which
I then replied, if compaffion on the Africans,
in regard to their domeftic troubles, were the
real motive of our purchasing them, that
fpirit of tendernefs being attended to, would
incite us to ufe them kindly ; that as Stran
gers brought out of afflidjon, their lives
might be happy among us ; and as they are
human creatures, whofe fouls are as precious
as ours, and who may receive the fame help
and comfort from the holy fcriptures as we
do, we could not omit fuitable endeavours to
inftrud them therein : But while we mani-
feft by our condud, that our views in pur-
chafing them are to advance ourfelves; and
while our buying captives taken in war, ani
mates thofe parties to pUfh on that war, and
jncreafe defolation amongft them; to fay they
live unhappy in Africa, is far from being
an argument in our favour: and I further
faid, the prefent circumftances of thefe pro
vinces to me appear difficult ; that the flaves
look like a burdenfome flone to fuch who
burden themfelves with them ; and that if
the white people retain a refolution to prefer
their outward profpeds of gain to all other
confiderations, and do not ad confcientiouf-
ly toward them as fellow-creatures, I believe
that burden will grow heavier and heavier,
till times change in a way difagreeable to us :
At which the perfon appeared very ferious ;
and owned, that in considering their condi tion,

60 " The LIFE and TRAVELS
•tion, and the manner of their treatment in
thefe provinces, he had fometimes thought it
might be juft in the Almighty fo to order it.
Having thus travelled thro' Maryland, we
came amongft friends at Cedar-Creek in Vir
ginia ; on the twelfth day of the fifth month :
and the next day rode, jn company with
feveral friends, a day's journey to Camp-
Creek : And as I was riding along in the
morning, my mind was deeply affeded in a
fenfe I had of the want of divine aid to Sup
port me in the various difficulties which at
tended me ; and in an uncommon diftrefs of
mind, I cried in fecret to the Moft High, O
Lord be merciful, I befeech thee, to thy poor
afrlided creature. After fome time, I felt in
ward relief; and foon after, a friend in com
pany began to talk in fupport of the flave-
trade, and faid, the negroes were underftood
to be the offspring of Cain, their blacknefs
being the mark God fet upon him after he
murdered Abel his brother ; that it was the
defign of Providence they Should be Slaves,
as a condition proper to the race of fo wick
ed a man as Cain was : Then another fpake
in fupport of what had been faid. To all
which, I replied in fubflance as follows :
That Noah and his family were all who Sur
vived the flood, according to fcripture ; and*
as Noah was of Seth's race, the family of
Cain was wholly destroyed. One of thern
faid, that after the flood Ham went to the
land of Nod, and took a wife ; that Nod was
a land far diftant, inhabited by Cain's race,; and

of.JOHN WOOLMAN. ,,6i
and that the flood did not reach it ; and as
Ham was fentenced to be a fervant of fer
vants to his brethren, thefe two families be
ing thus- joined, were undoubtedly fit only
for flaves. I replied, the flood was a judg
ment upon the world for their abominations ;
and it was granted, that Cain's flock was the
moft wicked,' and therefore unreafonable to
fuppofe they were fpared : As to Ham's go
ing to the land of Nod for a wife, no time
being : fixed, Nod might be inhabited by
fome of Noah's family, before Ham married
a fecond time ; moreover the text faith,
" That all flefh died that moved upon the
" earth." Gen. vii. -2'i." I further reminded
them, how > the prophets repeatedly declare,
" that the fon fhall not Suffer for the iniqui-
" ty of the father; but every one be an-
" fwerable for his own fins." I was trou
bled to perceive the darknefs of their ima
ginations ; and in fome preffure of fpirit faid,
the love of eafe and gain are the motives in
general of keeping flaves, arid men are wont
to take hold of weak arguments to fupport a
eaufe which is unreafonable; and added, I
have no intereft on either fide, fave only the
intereft which I defire to have in the truth :
And as I believe liberty is their right, and
fee they are not only 'deprived of it, but
treated in other refpeds with inhumanity in
many places, I believe He, who is a refuge
for the j opprefled, will, in his own time,
plead their caufe ; and happy will it be for
v fuch

62 The LIFE and TRAVELS
fuch, who walk in uprightnefs before him j
And thus our converfation ended.
On the fourteenth day of the fifth month
I was at Camp-Creek monthly-meeting, and
then rode up to the mountains up James-River,
and had a meeting at a friend's houfe ; in
both which I felt forrow of heart, and my,
tears were poured out before the Lord, who
was pleafed to afford a degree of Strength by
which way was opened to clear my mind
amongft friends in thofe places. From thence
I went to Fork-Creek, and fo to Cedar-Creek
again ; at which place I now had a meeting ;
here I found a tender feed : and as I was pre-
ferved in the miniftry to keep low with the
truth ; the fame truth in their hearts anfwer-
ed it, that it Was a time of mutual refrefh-
ment from the prefence of the Lord. I lodged
gt James Standby's, father of William Stand-
ley, one of the young men who Suffered im-i
prifonment at Winchester laft fummef, on
account of their teftimony againfl fighting- ;
and I had fome fatisfadory converfation with
him concerning it. Hence I went to the
Swamp-meeting, and to Wayanoke^meet-
ing ; and then crofted James-River, and
lodged near Burleigh. From the time of my
entering Maryland I have been mUch under
forrow, which of late fo increafed upon me,
that my mind was almoft overwhelmed ; and
I may fay with the pfalmift, " in my dif-
" trefs I called upon the Lord, and cried to
c< my God ;" who, in infinite goodnefs,
looked upon my afflidion, and in my pri
vate

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 63
vate retirement fent the Comforter for my re
lief; for which I humbly blefs his holy
name. The fenfe I had ofthe ftate of the churches,
brought a weight of diftrefs upon me : the
gold to me appeared dim, and the fine gold
changed; and tho' this is the cafe too ge
nerally, yet the fenfe of it in thefe parts hath,
in a particular manner, borne heavy upon
me. It appeared to me, that thro' the
prevailing of the fpirit of this world, the
minds of many were brought to an inward
defolation ; and inftead of the fpirit of meek-
nefs, gentlenefs, and heavenly wifdom, which
are the necefFary companions of the true fheep
of Chrift, a fpirit of fiercenefs, and the love
of dominion, too generally prevailed. From
fmall beginnings in errors, great buildings,
by degrees, are raifed ; and from one age to
another are more and more ftrengthened by
the general concurrence of the people : and
as men obtain reputation by their profeffion
of the truth, their virtues are mentioned as
arguments in favour of general error ; and
thofe of lefs note, to juftify themfelves, fay,
fuch and fuch good men did the like. By
what other fteps could the people of Judah
arife to that height in wickednefs, as to
give juft ground for the prophet Ifaiah to de
clare in the name of the Lord, " that none
" calleth for juftice, nor any pleadeth for
" truth :" Ifaiah lix. 4. or for the Almighty
to call upon the great city of Jerufalem, juft
before the Babylonifh captivity, «' If ye can
" find

64 The LIFE and TRAVELS
"find a man, if there be any who executeth*
" judgment, that feeketh the truth, and I
" will pardon it." Jer. v. r - The profped of
a rofd lying open to the fame degeneracy, in
fome parts of this newly fettled land of Ame
rica, in refped to our condud toward the
negroes, hath deeply bowed my mind in
this journey ; and tho' to briefly relate how
thefe 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
preferve them. Many of the white people in
thofe provinces take little or no care „of negro
marriages; and when negroes many after
their own way, fome make fo Uttjfe .account
of thofe marriages, that with view^ of out
ward intereft, they often part men^Jrom their
wives by felling them far afunder V-which is
common when eftates are fold by1 ISsecutors
at vendue. Many whofe labour is-'feavy,
being followed, at their bufinefs in theq6,eld,
by a man with a whip, hired for that pur-
pofe, have in common little elfe allowed but
one peck of Indian corn and fome fait for
one week, with a few potatoes ; the potatoes
they commonly raife by their labour on the
firft day of the week.
The corredion enfuing on their difobedi
ence to overfeers, or flothfulnefs , in bufinefs,
is often very fevere, and fometimes defperate.
Men and women have many times fcarce
cloaths enough to hide their nakednefs, and
boys and girls, ten and twelve years old, are
often quite naked amongft their matter's chil
dren;

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 65
dren : fome of our fociety, and fome of the
fociety called new-lights, ufe fome endea
vours to inftrud thofe they have in reading ;
but in common this is not only negleded,
but difapproved. Thefe are the people by
whofe labour the other inhabitants are in a
great meafure fupported, and many of them .
in the luxuries of life : thefe are the people
who have made no agreement to ferve us,
and who have not forfeited their liberty that
we know of: thefe are the fouls for whom
Chrift died ; and for our condud toward
them, we muft anfwer before Him who is
norefpeder of perfons.
They who know the only true God, and
Jefus Chrift whom he hath fent, and are thus
acquainted with the merciful, benevolent,
gofpel fpirit,- will therein perceive that the
indignation of God is kindled againfl oppref-
fion and cruelty ; and in beholding the great
diftrefs of fo numerous a people, will find
caufe for mourning.
From my lodgings I . went to Burleigh
meeting, where I felt my mind drawn into
a quiet refigned ftate ; and after long filence,
I felt an engagement to ftand up ; and thro'
the powerful operation of divine love, we
were favoured with an edifying meeting.
The next meeting; we had was at Black- Wa
ter; and fo to the yearly-meeting at the
Weftern Branch : when bufinefs began, fome
queries were confidered, by fome of their
members, to be now produced ; and if ap-'
proved, to be anfwered hereafter by their re-
F fpedive

66 The LIFE and TRAVELS
fpedive monthly-meetings. They were the-
Pennfylvania queries, which had been exa
mined by a committee of Virginia yearly-'
meeting appointed the laft year, who made
fome alterations in them ; one of which alte
rations was made in favour of a cuftom
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 ad
mitted with unanimity was, " Are any con
cerned in buying or vending goods unlaw
fully imported, or prize-goods?" I found
my mind engaged to fay, that as we pro-.
feSFed the truth, and were there affembled to;
fupport the teftimony of it, it was necefFary
for us to dwell deep, and ad in that wifdom
which is pure, or otherwife we: could not
profper. I then mentioned their alteration;
and, .referring to the laft mentioned query,1
added, as purchasing any merchandize taken
by the fword, was always allowed to be in-
confiftent with our principles' ; negroes be
ing captives of war, or taken by flealth,-
thofe circumftances make it inconfiftent with
our teftimony to buy them; and, their being
Our fellow-creatures, who are fold as flavesi,
adds greatly to the iniquity. Friends ap
peared attentive to what was faid ; fome ex-
preSFed a care and concern about their ne
groes ; none made any objedion, by way of
reply to what I faid ; but the query was ad
mitted

ofJOHN WOOLMAN. 67
mitted as they had altered it. As fome of their
members have heretofore traded in negroes,
as in other merchandize, this query, being
admitted, will be one Step further than they
have hitherto gone : And I did not fee it
my duty to prefs for an alteration ; but felt
eafy 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 wifdom.
But in regard to thofe they already had, I
felt my mind engaged to labour with them ;
and faid, that, as we believe the fcriptures
were given forth by holy fnen, as they were
moved by the Holy Ghoft, and many of us
know by experience that they are often help
ful and comfortable, and believe ourfelves
bound in duty to teach our children to read
them, I believe, that if we were divefted of
all felfifh views, the fame good fpirit that
gave them forth, would engage us to teach
the negroes to read, that they might have the
benefit of them : Some there were amongft
them who, at this time, manifefted a concern
in regard to taking more care in the educa
tion of their negroes.
On the twenty-ninth day of the fifth
month, at the houfe where I lodged. Was a
meeting of minifters and elders, at the ninth
hour in the morning ; at which time I found
an engagement to fpeak freely and plainly to
them concerning their Slaves; mentioning,
how they, as the firft rank in the fociety,
whofe condud in that cafe was much noticed
F 2 by

68 The LIFE and TRAVELS
by others, were under the Stronger obliga
tions to look carefully to themfelves : exprefs-
ing how needful it was for them, in that Si
tuation, to be thoroughly divefted of all felf-
iSh views ; that living in the pure truth, and
acting confcientioufly toward thofe people in
their education and otherwife, they might be
inftrumental in helping forward a work fo
exceeding neceffary, and fo much negleded
amongft them. At the twelfth hour the meet
ing of worfhip began ; which was a folid
meeting". On the thirtieth day, about the tenth hour,
friends met to finifh their bufinefs, and then
the meeting for worfhip enfued, which to me
was a laborious time; but, thro' the
goodnefs of the Lord, truth, I believe, gained
fome ground; and it was a Strengthening
opportunity to the honeft-hearted.
About this time I wrote an epiftle to friends'
in the back fettlements of North-Carolina, as
follows :

To friends at their monthly-meeting at New-
Garden and Cane-Creek, in North-Caro
lina. Dear friends,
IT having pleafed the Lord to draw me
forth on a vifit to fome parts of Virginia
and Carolina, you have often been in my
mind; and tho' my way is not clear to
come

of J O H.N WOOLMAN. 69
come in perfon to vifit you, yet I feel it in
my heart to communicate a few things, as
they arife in the love of truth : Firft, my
dear friends, dwell in humility ; and take
heed that no views of outward gain get too
deep hold of you, that fo your eyes being
fingle to the Lord, you may be preferved in
the way of fafety. Where people let loofe
their minds after the love of outward things,
and are more engaged in purfuing the pro
fits, and feeking the friendships of this
world, than to be inwardly acquainted with
the way of true peace ; fuch walk in a vain
Shadow, while the true comfort of life is
wanting : Their examples are often hurtful to
others ; and their treafures, thus colleded,
do many times prove dangerous Shares to
their children.
But where people are Sincerely devoted to
follow Chrift, and dwell under the influence
of his holy fpirit, their liability and firrn-
nefs, thro' a divine bleffing, is at times
like dew on the tender plants round about
them, and the weightinefs of their fpirits fe-
eretly works on the minds of others ; and
in this condition, thro' the Spreading influ
ence of divine love, they feel a care over the
flock ; and way is opened for maintaining
good order in the fociety : And tho' we
meet with oppofition from another fpirit, yet,
as there is a dwelling in meeknefs, feeling
our fpirits fubjed, and moving only in
the gentle peaceable wifdom, the inward re
ward of quietnefs, will be greater than all our
difficulties*

70 The LIFE and TRAVELS
difficulties. Where the pure life is kept to,
and meetings of difcipline 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 comes frefh
in my way :  Dear young people, choofe
God for your portion ; love his truth, and be
not afhamed of it ; choofe for your company
fuch who ferve him in uprightnefs : And
fhun as moft dangerous, the converfation of
thofe whofe lives are of an ill favour ; for by
frequenting fuch company, fome hopeful
young people have come to great lofs, and
been drawn from lefs evils to greater to their
utter ruin. In the bloom of youth no orna
ment is fo lovely as that of virtue, nor any
enjoyments equal to thofe which we partake
of, in fully refigning ourfelves to the divine
will : Thefe enjoyments add fweetnefs to all
other comforts, and give true fatisfadion in
company and converfation, where people are
mutually acquainted with it; and as your
minds are thus feafoned with the truth, you-
will find ftrength to abide ftedfaft to the tef
timony of it, and be prepared for fervices in
the church.
And now, dear friends and brethren, as
you are improving a wildernefs, and may be
numbered amongft the firft planters in one
part of a province, I befeech you, in the love
of Jefus Chrift, to wifely confider the force
of your examples, and think how much your
fucceffors may bg thereby afFeded : It is a .
help

of JOHN WOOLMAN 71
help in a country; yea, and a great favour
and a bleffing, when cUftoms firft fettled, are
agreeable to found wifdom : fo when they are
otherwife the effed of them is grievous ; and
children feel themfelves encompaffed with
difficulties prepared for them by their prede-
ceffbrs. As moderate care and exercife, under the
diredion of true wifdom, is ufeful both to
mind and body ; fo, by this means in gene
ral, the real wants of life are eafily fupplied :
our gracious Father having fo proportioned
one to the other, that keeping in the true
medium we may pafs on quietly. Where
flaves are purchafed to do our labour, nume
rous difficulties attend it. To rational crea
tures bondage is uneafy, and frequently oc-
cafions fournefs and difcontent in them ;
which affeds the family, and fuch who claim
the maftery over them : and thus people and
their children are many times encompaffed
with vexations, which arife from their ap
plying to wrong methods to get a living.
I have been informed that there are a
large number of friends in your parts, who
have no flaves ; and in tender and mofl af-
fedionate love, I befeech you to keep clear
from purchasing any. Look, my dear friends,
to Divine Providence ; and follow in fimpli-
city that exercife of body, that plainnefs and
frugality, which true wifdom leads to ; fo
may you be preferved from thofe dangers
which attend fuch who are aiming at out
ward eafe and greatnefs. Treafures,

72 The LIFE and TRAVELS
Treafures, tho' fmall, attained on a true
principle of virtue, are fweet in the poSFefli-
on, and while we walk in the light of the
Lord, there is true comfort and fatisfadion.
Here, neither the murmurs of an opprefFed
people, nor throbbing uneafy confcience, 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 divifion of our fubftance among
our fucceflbrs ; if we know that it was col-
leded in the fear of the Lord, in honefty, in
equity, and in uprightnefs of heart before
him, we may confider it as his gift to us;
and with a fingle eye to his bleffing, beftow
it on thofe we leave behind us. Such is the
happinefs of the plain ways of true virtue.
" i The work of righteoufnefs fhall be peace ;
" and the effed of righteoufnefs, quietnefs
" and aflurance for ever." Ifa. xxxii. 1 7.
Dwell here, my dear friends; and then in
remote and folitary deferts, you may find
true peace and fatisfadion. If the Lord be
our God, in truth and reality, there is fafe-
ty for us ; for he is a ftrong hold in the day
of trouble, and knoweth them that truft in
him.

Ifle of Wight County, in Virginia,
29th of the 5th month, 1757.

From

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 73
From the yearly-meeting in Virginia, I
went to Carolina ; and on the firft day of the
Sixth month, was at Wells monthly-meeting,
where the fpring of the gofpel miniftry was
opened, and the love of Jefus Chrift experi
enced amongft us : To his name be the prai fe.
Here my brother joined with fome friends
from New-Garden, who were going home
ward ; and I went next to Simons-Creek
monthly-meeting, where I was filent during
the meeting for worfhip : And when bufinefs
came on, my mind was exercifed concerning
the poor flaves ; but did not feel my way clear
to fpeak : In this condition I was bowed in
fpirit before the Lord; and with tears and in
ward fupplication befought him, fo to open
my underftanding, that I might know his
will concerning me ; and, at length, my
mind was fettled in filence : Near the end of
their bufinefs, a member of their meeting
expreft a concern, that had fome time lain
upon him, on account of friends fo much
negleding their duty in the education of
their flaves ; and propofed having meetings
fometimes appointed for them on a week
day, to be only attended by fome friends to
be named in their monthly-meetings: Many
prefent appeared to unite with the propofal :
One faid, he had often wondered that they,
being our fellow-creatures and capable of re
ligious underftanding, had been fo exceeding
ly negleded : Another exprefFed the like con
cern, and appeared zealous, that friends, in
future, might more clofely confider it: At
length

74 The LIFE and TRAVELS
length a minute was made ; and'the further
consideration of it referred to their next
monthly-meeting. The friend who made this
propofal hath 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 folitary journey, this exer
cife, in regard to the education of their ne
groes, was, from time to time, renewed in
his mind. A friend of fome note in Virgi
nia, who hath flaves, told me, that he being
far from home on a lonefome journey, had
many ferious thoughts about them ; and that
his mind was fo impreft therewith, that he
believed that he faw a time coming, when
Divine Providence would alter the circum-
ftance of thefe people, refpeding their con
dition as flaves.
From hence I went to Newbegun-Creek,
and fat a confiderable time in much weak
nefs ; then I felt truth open the way to fpeak
a little in much plainnefs and fimpli-
city, till, at length, thro' the increafe of
divine love amongft us, we had a feafoning
opportunity. From thence to the head of
Little-River on a firft-day, where was a
crouded meeting ; and I believe was, thro'
divine goodnefs, made profitable to fome.
Thence to the Old-Neck ; where I was led
into a careful fearching out the fecret work
ings of the myftery of iniquity, which, un
der a cover of religion, exalts itfelf againfl
that pure fpirit, which leads in the way of
meeknefs and felf-denial. From thence to
Piney-

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 75
Pineywoods : this was the laft meeting I was
at in Carolina ; and was large ; and my heart
being deeply engaged, I was drawn forth in
to a fervent labour amongft them.
When I was at Newbegun-Creek, a friend
was there who laboured for his living, hav
ing no negroes, and had been a minifter
many years: he came to me the next day;
and as we rode together, he fignified that he
wanted to talk with me concerning a difficul
ty he had been under, and related it near as
follows : to wit, That as monies had of late
years been raifed by a tax to carry on the
wars, he had a fcruple in his mind in regard
to paying it, and chofe rather to fuffer diftraint
of his goods than pay it ; and as he was the only
perfon who refufed it in thofe parts, and knew
not that any one elfe was in the like circum-
ftances, and fignified that it had been a heavy
trial to him: and more fo, for that fome of
his brethren had been uneafy with his con-
dud in that cafe : And added, that from a
fympathy he felt with me yefterday in meet
ing, he found the freedom thus to open the
matter, in the way of querying concerning
friends in our parts: Whereupon I told him
the ftate of friends amongft us, as well as I
was able; and alfo, that I had, for fome time,
been under the like fcruple. I believed him
to be one who was concerned to walk upright
ly before the Lord; and efteemed it my duty
to preferve this note concerning hirn Samuel
Newby. From hence I went back, into Virginia, and
had a meeting near James Cowpland's; it
was

76 The LIFE and TRAVELS
was a time of inward Suffering ; but, thro'
the goodnefs of the Lord, I was made con
tent : Then to another meeting ; where, thro'
the renewings of pure love, we had a very
Comfortable feafon.
Travelling up and down of late, I have
had renewed evidences, that to be faithful to
the Lord, and content with his will concern
ing me, is a moft neceffary and ufeful leflbn
for me to be learning ; looking lefs at the ef
feds of my labour, than at the pure motion
and reality of the concern, as it arifes from
heavenly love. In the Lord Jehovah is ever-
lafting ftrength ; and as the mind, by a hum
ble refignation, is united to him, and we
utter words from an inward knowledge that
they arife from the heavenly fpring, tho' our
way may be difficult, and require clofe atten
tion to keep in it ; and tho' the manner in
which we may be led may tend to our own
abafement ; yet, if we continue in patience
and meeknefs, heavenly peace is the reward
of our labours.
From thence I went to Curies-meeting 5
which, tho' fmall, was reviving to the ho
neft-hearted. Thence to Black-Creek and
Caroline meetings ; from whence, accompa
nied by William Standby before-mentioned,
we rode to Goofe-Creek, being much thro'
the woods, and about one hundred miles. — -
We lodged, the firft night, at a publick-
(houfe ; the fecond, in the woods ; and the
next day, we reached a friend's houfe, at
Goofe-Creek. In the woods we lay under fome

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 77
fome difadvantage, having no fireworks nor
bells for our horfes ; but we flopped a little
before night, and let them feed on the wild
grafs which was plenty ; in the mean time
cutting with our knives a Store againfl night,
and then tied them; and gathering fome bufh-
es under an oak, we lay down ; but the muf-
quetoes being plenty and the ground damp,
I flept but little : Thus lying in the wilder-
nefs, and looking at the ftars, I was led to
contemplate on the condition of our firft
parents, when they were fent forth from the
garden; but the Almighty, tho' they had
been difobedient, continued to be a father to
them ; and Shewed them what tended to their
felicity as intelligent creatures, and was ac
ceptable to him. To provide things relative
to our outward living, in the way of true
wifdom is good ; and the gift of improving
in things ufeful, 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 fome not keeping to the pure
gift, have, in the creaturely cunning and
felf-exal ration, fought out many inventions ;
which inventions of men, as diftind from
that uprightnefs in which man was created,
as the firft motion to them was evil, fo the
effeds have been and are evil. That, at this
day, it is as necefFary for us conftantly to at
tend on the heavenly gift, to be qualified to "
ufe rightly the good things in this life a-
midft great improvements, as it was for our
firft

78 The LIFE and TRAVELS
firft parents, when they were without any
improvements, without any friend or father
but God only.
I was at a meeting at Goofe-Creek ; and
next at a monthly-meeting at Fairfax ; where
thro' 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 caufe humbly to adore Him, who Sup
ported ,me thro' many exereifes, and by
whofe help I was enabled to reach the true
witnefs in the hearts of others : There were
fome hopeful young people in thofe parts.
Thence I had meetings at John Everit's in
Monabri, and at Huntingdon ; and I was
made humbly thankful to the Lord, who o-
pened my heart amongft the people, in thefe
new fettlements, fo that it was a time of en
couragement to the honeft-minded.
At Monalen, a friend gave me fome ac
count of a religious fociety, among the Dutch,
called mennonifts ; and, amongft other things,
related a paSFage in fubftance as follows : —
One of the mennonifts having acquaintance
with a man of another fociety at a confider
able diftance, and being with his waggon on
bufinefs near the houfe of his faid acquain
tance, and night coming on, he had thoughts
of putting up with him ; but paffing by his
fields, and obferving the diftreSfed appear
ance of his flaves, he kindled a^fire in the
woods hard by, and lay there that night:
His faid acquaintance hearing where he lodg ed,

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 79
ed, and, afterward meeting the mennonift,
told him of it ; adding, he fhould have been
heartily welcome at his houfe ; and from their
acquaintance in former time, wondered at
his condud in that cafe : The mennonift re
plied, ever fince I lodged by thy field, I have
wanted an opportunity to fpeak with thee:
The matter was ; I intended to have come to
thy houfe for entertainment, but feeing thy
flaves at their work, and obferving the man
ner of their drefs, I had no liking to come
to partake with thee : Then admonifhed him
to ufe them with more humanity ; and added,
as I lay by the fire that night, I thought that
as I was a mart of fubftance, thou would have
received me freely j but if I, had been as poor
as one of thy flaves, and had no power to
help myfelf, I fhould have received from thy
hand no kinder ufage than they.
Hence I was at three meetings in my way :
And'fol went home, under a humbling fenfe
of the gracious dealings, of the Lord with me,
in preferying me thro' many trials and af-
flidions in. my journey. I was out about two
months, and travelled about eleven hundred
and fifty miles.

CHAP.

80 The LIFE and TRAVELS

CHAP. V.
Confiderations on the payment of a tax, laid for car
rying on the war againfl the Indians  Some
notes on Thomas a Kemps and John Hufs — —
Meetings of the committee of the yearly-meeting
at Philadelphia — — The ^referit circumftdnces of
friends in Pennfylvania and New-Jerfey, very
different from thofe of our predeceffors  The
draughting of ther militia .in N~ew-Jeffey to ferve
in the army; with fome obfervations on the- ftate.
of the members of our fociety at that time— —
His vifit --to friends in Pennfylvaaia, accmnpanieii
by Benjamin Jones  Proceedings at the month*
ly, quarterly and yearly meetings, in Philadel
phia , refpe fling thofe who keep flaves.
A FEW years paft, money being made
current in our province for carrying on
wars, and to be called in again by taxes laid
on the inhabitants, my mind was' : often af-
feded with the thoughts of paying* fuch
taxes ; and I believe it right for me to pre-
ferve a memorandum concerning it : I was
told, that friends in England frequently paid
taxes, when the money was applied to fuch
purpofes: I had converfation with feveral
noted friends on the fubjed, who all favour
ed the payment of fuch taxes ; fome of whom
I preferred before myfelf, and this made me
eafier for a time ; yet there was in the deeps of

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 8r
Of my mind, a fcruple which I never could
get over; and, at certain times, I was great
ly diftrefled on that account.
I all along believed that thefe Were fome
upright-hearted men, who paid Such taxes ;
but could not fee that their example was a
Sufficient reafon for me to do fo, while I be
lieved that the fpirit of truth required of me,
as an individual, to Suffer patiently the dif
trefs of goods, rather than pay adively.
I have been informed that Thomas a Kem-
pis lived and died in the profeffion of the
Roman catholic religion : And in reading his
writings, I have believed him to be a man of
a true chriftian fpirit ; as fully fo, as many
who died martyrs becaufe they could not join
with fome fuperftitions in that church.
All true christians are of the fame fpirit,
but the gifts are diverfe; Jefus Chrift ap
pointing fo each one their peculiar office, a-
greeable to his infinite wifdom.
John Hufs contended againfl the errors
crept into the church, in oppofition to the
council of Conftance ; which the hiftorian re
ports to have confifted of fome thoufand per
fons. He modeftly vindicated the caufe
which he believed was right ; and his lan
guage and condud toward his judges appear
to have been refpedful, yet he never could
be moved from the principles fettled in his
mind. To ufe his own words : " This I moft
humbly require and defire of you all, even
for His fake who is the God of us all, that
I be not compelled to the thing which my
G confcience

82 The LIFE and TRAVELS
confcience doth repugn or ftrive againft.>J
And again, in his anfwer to the emperor :
" I .refufe nothing, moft noble emperory
whatfoever the council fhall decree or deter
mine upon me, only this One thing I except,
that I do not offend God and my confeience."
Fox's Ads and Monuments', page 233. At
length, rather than ad contrary to that which
he believed the Lord required of him, he
chofe to Suffer death by fire* Thomas a
Kempis, without difputing againfl the arti
cles then generally agreed to, appears to have
laboured, by a pious example as weH as by
preaching and writing, to promote Virtue and
the inward fpiritual religion: And I believe
they Were both fincere-hearted followers of
Chrift. True charity is an excellent virtue : And
Sincerely to labour for their good, whofe be
lief, in all points, doth not agree with ours,
is a happy ftate. To refufe the adive pay-
irient of a tax which our fociety generally
paid, was exceeding difagreeable ; but to do
a thing contrary to my confcience, appeared
yet more dreadful. When this exercife came
Upon me, I knew of none under the like dif
ficulty; and, in my diftrefs, I befought the
Lord to enable me to give up all, that fo I
might follow him wherefoever he was pleafed
to lead me : And under this exercife, I went
to our yearly-meeting at Philadelphia, in the
year 1755; at which a committee was ap
pointed pf fome from each quarter, to cor
respond "with the meeting for fufferings in
London ;

of JOHN WOOLMAN; 83
London ; and another to vifit our monthly
and quarterly- meetirigs ; arid after their ap
pointment, before the laft adjournment of
the meeting, it was agreed; in the meeting,
that thefe two committees fhould meet to
gether in friends fchool-houfe in the city,
at a time then concluded on, to confider
fome things in which the caufe of truth
was concerned ; and thefe committees meet
ing together^ had a weighty conference
in the fear of the Lord ; at which time, I
perceived, there were many friends under a
fcruple like that before-mentioned*.
As fcrupling to pay a tax on account of
the application, hath feldom been heard of
heretofore, even amongft men of integrity,
who have Steadily bome their teftimony
againfl outward wars in their time; I may
here note fome things which have occurred
to my mind, as I have been inwardly exer-
cifed on that account : From the fteady oppo-
fition which faithful friends, in early times,
made to wrong things then approved of, they
were hated' and' perfecu ted by men living in
the fpirit of this world ; and Suffering with
firmnefs, they Were made a bleffing to the
church, and the work profpered. It equally
concerns men, tn every age, to take heed to
their own fpirit'; and in comparing their fltu-
G 2 atiort

* Chriftiaris refufd to pay taxes to fuppott heathen temples.
Sce,pi>raiUve Chriftianity, part HI. page 32?.

84 The LIFE and TRAVELS
ation with ours, it looks to me there was lefs ;
danger of their being infeded with the fpi
rit of this world, in paying fuch taxes, than
there is of us now : They had little or no fhare
in civil government ; and many of them de-*:
clared, they were, thro' the poWer of God,
feparated from the fpirit in which wars were;
and being afrlided by the rulers on account
of their teftimony, there was lefs likelihood
of uniting . in fpirit with thefn in things in-
confiftent with the purity of truth. We,
from the firft Settlement of this land, have
known littb or no troubles of that- fort: Their
profeffion for a time was accounted re
proachful; but, at length, the uprightnefs of
our predeeeflbrs being underftood by the ru
lers, and their innocent fufFerings moving
them-, our way of Worfhip was tolerated, and
many of our members in thefe eolonies became
active in civil government. Being: thus tried
with favour and profperity, this world hath
appeared inviting; our minds have been.
turned to the improvement of our country*
to merchandize and feiences, amongft which,
are many things nfeful, being' followed in
pure wifdom ; but in our prefent condition^:
that a carnal mind is gaining upon us, I be^
lieve will not be denied. Some of our mem
bers, who are. officers in civil government,
are,' in one cafe or other, called upon their
refpedive ftations to affift in things relative
to the wars : Such being in doubt whether to
ad,' or crave to be excufed from their office,
feeing their brethren united in the payment' of

of JOHN WOOLMAN 85
of a tax to carry on the faid wars, might
think their cafe not much different, and fo
quench the tender movings of the Holy Spi
rit in their minds; and thus, by fmall de
grees, there might be an approach toward
that of fighting, 'till we came fo near it, as
that the diftindion would be little elfe, but
the name of a peaceable people.
It requires great felf-denial and refigna
tion of ourfelves to God, to attain that ftate
wherein we can freely ceafe from fighting
when wrongfully invaded; if by our fight
ing, there were a probability of overcoming
the invaders : Whoever rightly attains to it,
does, in fome degree, feel that fpirit in which
our Redeemer gave his life for us ; and, thro'
divine goodnefs, many of our predeceflbrs,
and many now living, have barned this bbffed
bflbn; but many others, having their religion
chiefly by education, and not being enough
acquainted with that crofs which crucifies to
the world, do manifeft a temper diftinguifhr
able from that of an entire truft in God. In
calmly confidering thefe things, it hath not
appeared ftrange to me, that an exercife hath
now fallen upon fome, which, as to the out
ward means of it, is different from what was,
known to many of thofe who went before us.
Some time after the yearly^meeting, a day
being appointed, and letters wrote to diflant
members, the faid committees met at Phila
delphia ; and, by adjournments, continued
feveral days. The calamities of war were
now increafing; the frontier inhabitants of
Penn-

86 The LIFE and TRAVELS
Pennfylvania were frequently furprized, fome
flain, and many taken captive by the Indians ;
and while thefe committees fat, the corps of
one fo Slain was brought in a waggon, and
taken thro' ^the ftrcets of the city, in his
bloody garments, to alarm the people, and
roufe them up to war.
Friends thus met were not all of one mind
in relation to the tax ; which to fuch who
Scrupled it made the way more difficult. To
refitfe an adive payment at fuch a time,
might be conftrued an ad of difbyalty, and
appeared likely to difpleafe the rulers, not
only here but in England ; ftill there was a
fcruple fo fattened upon the minds of many
friends, that nothing moved it : It was a
conference the moft weighty that ever I was.
at ; and the hearts of many were bowed in
reverence before the Moft High. Some friends
pf the faid committees who appeared eafy to
pay the tax, after feveral adjournments, with-;
drew ; others of them continued till the laft :
At length, an epiftle of tender love and cauT
tion, to friends in Pennfylvania, was drawn
by fome friends concerned, on that fubjed $
and being read feveral times and correded,
was then Signed by Such of them as were free
to fign it, and afterward fent to the monthly
and quarterly-meetings.
On the ninth day of the eighth month, in
the year 1757, at night, orders came to the
military officers in our county, (Burlington)
direding them to draft the militia, and pre
pare a number of men to go off as foldiers, to

ofJOHN WOOLMAN. 87
to the relief of the Englifh 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 num
ber of men chofen and fent off under fome
officers. Shortly after, there came orders to
draught three times as many, to hold them
felves inreadinefs to march when frefh or
ders came : And on the feventeenth day of
the eighth month, there was a meeting of
the military officers at Mount-Holly, who
agreed on a draught ; and orders were fent
to the men fo chofen, to meet their refpedive
captains at fet times and places; thofe in our
townfhip ,to meet at Mount-Holly ; amongft
whom were a confiderable number of our
fociety. My mind being affeded herewith,
I had frefh opportunity to fee and confider
the advantage of living in the real fubftance
of religion, where pradice doth harmonize
with principle. Amongft the officers are men
of underftanding, who have fome regard to
Sincerity where they fee it ; and in the exe
cution of their office, when they liave men
to deal With, whom they believe to be up
right-hearted, to put them to trouble on ac
count of fcrupbs of confcience, is a painful
tafk, and likely to be avoided as much as
eafily may be : But where men profefs to
be fo meek and heavenly-minded, and to
have their truft fo firmly fettled in God, that
they cannot join in wars ; and yet, by their
fpirit and condud in common life, manifeft 3. con-

88 The LIFE and TRAVELS
a contrary difpofition, their difficulties1 are
great at Such a time.
Officers in great anxiety endeavouring to
get troops to anfwer the demands of their fu?
periors, feeing men, who are infincere, pre?
tend fcruple of Gonfcience, in hopes of be3
ing excufed from a dangerous employment,
they are likely to be roughly handled. In
this time of commotion fome of our young
men left the parts, and tarried abroad 'till it
was over ; fome came, and propofed to go
as foldiers; others appeared tp have a real
tender fcruple in their minds againfl joining
in wars, and were much humbled under the
apprehenfion of a trial fo near ; I had conr
verfation with feveral of them to my fatisfac-?
tion, At the fet time when the paptain came
to town, fome of thofe laft-mentioned went
and told him in fubftance as follows : — That
they could not bear arms for confciejice?
fake ; nor could they hire any to go in their
places, being refigned as to the event of it j
at length the captain acquainted them all,
that they might return home for the prefent,
and required them to provide themfelves as
foldiers, and to be in readinefs tq march when
called upon. This was fuch a time as I had
not feen before; and yet I may fay, with
thankfulnefs to the Lord, that I believed this
trial was intended for oqr gopd ; and I was
favoured with refignation to hinj. The French
army taking the fort they were befieging, de
stroyed it and went away : The company of
* men

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 89
men firft draughted, after fome days march,
had orders to return home ; and thofe on the
fecond draught, were no more called upon
,on that occafion.
On the fourth day of the fourth month, in
the year 1758, orders came to fome officers,
in MountrHolly, to prepare quarters, a fhort
time, for about one hundred foldiers : And
an officer and two other men, all inhabitants
of our town, came to my houfe ; and the ofr
ficer told me, that he came to fpeak with me,
to provide lodging and entertainment for two
foldiers, there being fix fhillings a week per
man allowed as pay for it. The cafe being
new and unexpeded, I made no anfwer fud-
denly ; but fat a time filent, my mind being
inward : I was fully convinced, that the pro
ceedings in wars are inconfiftent with the
purity of the chriftian religion ; and to be
hired to entertain men, who were then under
pay as foldiers, was a difficulty with me. I
expeded they had legal authority for what
they did ; and, after a fhort time, I faid to
the officer, if the men are fent here for en
tertainment, I believe I fhall not refufe to adT
mit them into my houfe ; but the nature of
the cafe is fuch, that I exped I cannot keep
them on hire : One of the men intimated,
that he thought I might do it confiftent with
my religious principles : To which I made no
reply ; as believing filence, at that time, befl
for me. Tho' they fpake of two, there
pame only one, who tarried at my houfe about
two weeks and behaved himfelf civilly ; and
when

90 The LIFE and TRAVELS
when the officer came to pay me, I told him
I could not take pay for it, having admitted
him into my houfe in a paffive obedience to
authority. I was on horfeback when he
tfaid, he was obliged to me : to which I faid
nothing; but thinking on the expreffion, I
grew uneafy; and afterwards, being near
where he lived, I went and told him on what
grounds I refufed taking pay for keeping the
Soldier. Near the beginning of the year 1758, I
went one evening, in company with a friend,
to vifit a fick perfon; and before our re
turn, we were told of a woman living near,
who, of late, had feveral days been difcoh-
folate, occafioned by a dream ; wherein death,
and the judgments of the Almighty after
death, were reprefented to her mind in- a
moving manner : Her fadnefs, on that ac
count, being worn off; the friend, with
whom I was in company, went to fee her,
and had fome religious converfation with her
and her hufband : with this vifit they were
fomewhat affeded ; and the man, with many
tears, exprefled his fatisfadion : and, iri 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 Chefter county, and
at fome meetings in the county of Philadel
phia, I went firft to faid quarterly-meeting, which

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 91
which was large ; and feveral weighty mat
ters came under confideration arid debate ;
and the Lord was pleafed to qualify fome of
his fervants with ftrength and firmnefs, to
bear the burden of the day : Tho' I faid
but little, my mind was deeply exercifeS;
and, under a fenfe of God's love, in the
anointing and fitting fome 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 be
loved friend and brother Benjamin Jones met
me, by an appointment before I left home,
to join in the vifit : And we were at Radnor,
Merion, Richland, North- Wales, Plymouth,
and Abington meetings ; and had caufe to
bow. in reverence before the Lord our gra
cious God, by whofe 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 hav
ing been under a concern, on account of fome
friends, who this fummer (1758) had bought
negro-Slaves : the faid meeting moved it to their
quarterly-meeting, to have the minute re-con-
fidered in the yearly-meeting, which was
made laft on that fubjed :' And the faid quar-i
terly-meeting appointed a committee to con-;
fider it, and report to their next ; which
committee having met once and adjourned,
and I going to Philadelphia to meet a com
mittee of the yearly-meeting, was in town
the evening on which the quarterly-meeting's com-

92 The LIFE and TRAVELS
committee met the fecond time; and finding
an inclination to fit with them, was, with
fome others, admitted ; and friends had a
weighty conference on the fubjed : and foon
after their next quarterly-meeting, I heard
that the cafe was coming to our yearly-meet
ing ; which brought a weighty exercife upon
me, and under a fenfe of my own infirmi
ties, and the great danger I felt of turning
afide from perfed purity, my mind was of
ten drawn to retire alone, and put up my
prayers to the Lord, that he would be gra-
cioufly pleafed to Strengthen me; that fetting
afide all views of felf-intereft and the friend
ship of this world, I might Stand fully re-
iigned to his holy will. -, *
In this yearly-meeting, feveral weighty
matters wef e confidered ; and toward the laft,
that in relation to dealing with perfons who
purchafe flaves. During the feveral fittings
of the faid meeting, my mind was frequent
ly covered with inward prayer ; and I could
fay with David, " that tears were my meat
" day and night." The cafe of flave-keeping
lay heavy upon me ; nor did I find any en
gagement to fpeak diredly to any other mat
ter before the meeting. Now when this cafe
was opened, feveral faithful friends fpake
weightily thereto, with which I was com,
forted ; and feeling a concern to caft in my
mite, I faid, in fubftance, as follows :
" In the difficulties attending us in this
life, nothing is more precious than the mind
of truth inwardly manifefted ; and it is my
earneft

Of JOHN WOOLMAN. 93
earneft defire, that in this Weighty matter,
we may be fo truly humbled as to be favour
ed with a clear underftanding of the mind
of truth, and follow it ; this would be of
more advantage to the fociety, than any me
dium not . in the clearnefs of divine wifdom-
The cafe is difficult to fome who have them ;
but if fuch fet afide all felf-intereft, and come
to be weaned from the defire of getting
eftates, or even from holding them together,
when truth requires the contrary, I believe
way will open that they will know how to
fteer thro' thefe difficulties."
Many friends appeared to be deeply bow
ed under the weight of the work ; and mani-
fefted much firmnefs in their love to the carafe
of truth, and univerfal righteoufnefs on the
earth : And tho' none did openly juftify
the practice of flave-keeping in general, yet
fome appeared concerned, left the meeting
fhould go into fuch meafures, as might give
uneafinefs to many brethren; albdging, that
if friends patiently continued under the ex
ercife, the Lord, in time to come, might
open a way for the deliverance of thefe peo
ple : and I finding an engagement to fpeak,
faid, " My mind is often led to confider the
purity of the Divine Being, and the juftice
of his judgments ; and herein my foul is co
vered with awfulnefs : I cannot omit to hint
of fome cafes, where people have not been
treated With the purity of juftice, and the
event hath been lamentable : Many flaves on .
this continent are opprefFed, and their cries
have

94 The LIFE and TRAVELS
have reached the ears of the Moft High*
Such are the purity and certainty of his
judgments, that he cannot be partial in our
favour. In infinite love and goodnefs, he
hath opened our underftandings from one
time to another, concerning our duty toward
this people; and it is not a time for delay*
Should we now be fenfibb of what he requires
of us, and thro' a refped to the private in
tereft of fome perfons, or thro' a regard to
fome friendfhips which do not ftand on an
immutable foundation, negled to do our du
ty in firmnefs arid conftancy, ftill waiting for
fome extraordinary means to bring about their
deliverance; it may be by terrible things in
righteoufnefs, God may anfwer us in this
matter." Many faithful brethren laboured with great
firmnefs ; and the love of truth, in a good
degree prevailed. Several friends, who had
negroes, expreSfed their, defire that a rule
might be made, to deal with fuch friends as
offenders who bought flaves in future : To
this it was anfwered, that the root of this
evil would never be effectually ftruck at, un
til a thoro' Search was made into the circum-
flances of fuch friends who kept negroes,
with refped to the righteoufnefs of their
motives in keeping them, that impartial juf- •
tice might be adminiftered throughout. Se-.
veral friends exprefFed their defire, that a vi- ¦
fit might be fnade to fuch friends who kept
Haves : And many friends faid, that they be- >
lieved *

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 95
lieved liberty was the negroes right; to which
at length, no opposition was made publickly :
A minute, was made more ¦full ort that fub-
jed, than any heretofore ; and the names of
feveral friends entered, who were free to join
in a vifit to fnch who kept flaves.

CHAP. vr.
His vifiting the quarterly-meetings in Chefter coun
ty ; and afterwards joining with Daniel Stanton
and John Scarborough, in a vijit to fitch as kept
flaves there  Some &bfervations on the condnil
fitch Jbok4d maintain who are concerned to fpeak
in meetings for difcipline-1- — Several more vifits
to fuchJ who kept flaves; and to friends near Sa
lem— — Some account of the yearly-meeting in the
year 1759 > and of the .increafing concern in di
vers provinces, to labour agfiinft buying and keep
ing flaves  The yearly-meeting epiftle  His
ikoughts on the fmalUpox fpredding  and on in
oculation.
ON the eleventh day ofthe eleventh month
in the year 1758!, I fet out for Concord;
the quarterly-meeting, heretofore held there,
was now, by reafon of a great increafe of
members, divided into two by the agreement ;
of friends, at our laft yearly-meeting. Here
I met

96 Trie LIFE and TRAVELS
I met with our beloved friends Samuel Spa-
void and Mary Kirby from England, and
with Jofeph White from Bucks county, who
had taken leave of his family in order to gor
on a religious vifit to friends in England ;
and, thro' divine goodnefs1, we were fa-s
voured with a Strengthening opportunity
together. After this meeting I pitied with my friends
Daniel Stanton and John Scarborough, in
vifiting friends who had flaves ; and at night
we had a family meeting at William Trim
ble's, many young people beirig there ; and
it was a precious reviving opportunity. Next
morning we had a comfortable fitting with
a neighbour ; and thence to the burial of
the corpfe of a friend at Uwchland meeting,
at which were many people, and it was a
time of divine favour ; after which, we vi-
fited fome who had Slaves ; and, at night,
had a family meeting at a friend's houfe,
where the channel of gofpel love was opened,
and my mind was corriforted after a hard
day's labour. The next day we were at Go-
fhen monthly-meeting : And thence, on the
eighteenth day of the eleventh month, in
the year 1758, attended the quarterly-meet
ing at London-Grove, it being firft held at
that place. Here met again with all the
before-mentioned friends,' and had fome edw
fying meetings : And near the conclufion of
the meeting for bufinefs, friends were incited;
to conftancy in fuppqrting the teftimony of
truth, and reminded pf the neceffity which the.

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 97
the difciples of Chrift are under to attend
principally to his bufinefs, as he is pleafed
to open it to us : Arid to be particularly care
ful 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 con
cerns may entangle our affedioris, or hinder
us from diligently following the didates
of truth, in labouring to promote the pure
fpirit of meeknefs and heavenly-mindednefs
amongft the children of men, in thefe days
of calamity and diftrefs ; wherein God is vi
fiting our land with his juft judgments.
Each of thefe quarterly-meetings were
large, and fat near eight hours. Here I had
occafion to confider, that it is a weighty thing
to fpeak much in large meetings for bufinefs :
For, except our minds are rightly prepared,
and we clearly underftand the cafe we fpeak
to, inftead of forwarding, we hinder bufi
nefs, and make more labour for thofe on
whom the burden of the work is laid.
If felfifh views, or a partial fpirit, have
any room in our minds, we are unfit for
the Lord's work ; if we have a clear profped
of the bufinefs, and proper weight on our
minds to fpeak, it behoves us to avoid ufelefs
apologies and repetitions : Where people are
gathered from far, and adjourning a meet
ing of bufinefs is attended with great diffi
culty, it behoves all to be cautious how they
detain a meeting ; efpecially when they have
fat fix or feven hours, and have a great dif-
H tance

98 The LIFE -and TRAVELS
tance to ride home. After this meeting I
rode home.
In the beginning of the twelfth amonth -of
the year 1758, I joined ha company with my
friends John Sykes and Daniel Stanton, in
vifiting fuch who had ilaves : Some, whofe
hearts were rightly exeroifed about them, ap
peared to be glad of >our vifit ; but: in fome
places our way was tmore difficult ; and I of
ten faw the neceffity of ikeapiaag down to that
root from whence our concern proceeded ;;
und have Jcaufe, in reverent thardafolnelfs,
humbly to bow down before the iLord, who
was near to me, and preferved my mind in
calmnefs under ~fbme Sharp conflicts, ?md be
gat -a fpirit of fympathy and leiadeirnefs hi
me, toward fome who were grievofflfty en
tangled "by the Spirit of- this world.
fe the 'firft month of the year 1759, hav
ing found my mind drawn to vifit fome -of
the more adive members, in our fociety at
Philadelphia, who had flaves, Imet my friend
John Churchman there by an agreement ;
and we continued about a 'week in the city-:
We vifited fome that were fick, and "form© wi
dows and their families .; ;and the Other pact
iof our time was moftly employs*! in vifiting
fuch who had flaves  Jt was a time of deep
-exercife, looking often to the Lend for his af-
fiftance ; who, in unfpeakabb jkimdmefs, &-
voured us with the influence <af ihat .Spirit,
which crucifies to the greatrcefs and ifplefidor
of this world, and enabled us io go thro' fome

ofJOHN WOOLMAN. 99
fome heavy labours, in which we found
peace. On the twenty-fourth day of the third
month, of this year, I was at our Gene
ral fpring meeting at Philadelphia : After
which, I again joined with John Churchman
on a vifit to fome more, who had flaves in
Philadelphia ; and, with thankfulnefs to our
heavenly Father, I may fay, that divine love
and a true fympathizing tendernefs of heart,
prevaibd at times in this fervice.
Having, at times, perceived a fhynefs in
fome friends, of confiderable note, towards
fne, I found an engagement in gofpel love to-
pay a vifit to one of them ; and as I dwelt un
der the exercife, I felt a refignednefs in my
mimd to go : So I went, and told him in pri
vate, I had a defire to have an opportunity
with him alone ; to which he readily agreed :
and then, in the fear of the Lord, things
relating to that ihynefs were fearehed to the
bottom ; ,and we had a large conference,
which, I believe, was of ufe to both of us ;
and am thankful that way was opened for
it. On the fourteenth day of the fixth month,
in the fame year, having felt drawings in
my mind to vifit friends about Salem, and
having ihe approbation of our monthly-
meeting therein, 1 attended their quarterly-
meeting, and was out Seven days, and at
feven meetings ; in fome of which I was
chiefly Silent," and in others, thro' the bap
tizing power. of truth, my heart was en-
H 2 larged

100 The LIFE and TRAVELS
larged in heavenly lOve, and found a near
-fellowship with the brethren and fitters, in
the manifold trials attending their chriftian
progrefs thro' this world.
In the feventh month, I found an in
creafing concern on my mind to vifit fome
adive members in our fociety who had
flaves; and having no opportunity of the
company of fuch who were named in the
minutes of the yearly-meeting, I went alone
to their houfes, and, in the fear of the Lord,
acquainted them with the exercife I was un
der : And thus, fometimes, by a few words,
I found myfelf difcharged from a heavy bur
den. After this, our friend John Churchman
coming into our province with a view to be
at fome meetings, and to join again in the
vifit to thofe who had flaves. I bore him
company in the faid vifit to fome adive mem
bers, and found inward fatisfadion.
At our yearly-meeting in the year 1759*
we had fome weighty feafons; where the
power of truth was largely extended, to the
Strengthening of the honeft-minded. As
friends read over the epiftbs, to be fent to
the yearly-meetings along this continent, I
obferved in moft of them, both this year and
laft, it was recommended to friends to la
bour againfl buying and keeping flaves ; and
in fome of them clofely treated upon. As
this pradice hath long been a heavy exercife
to me, and I have, often waded thro' mor*
tifying labours on that account ; and, at
times

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 101
times, in fome meetings been almoft alone
therein. Now obferving the increafing con
cern in our religious fociety, and feeing how
the Lord was railing up and qualifying fer
vants for his work, not only in this refped,
but for promoting the caufe of truth in ge
neral, I was humbly bowed in thankfulnefs
before him. This meeting continued near a
week : And, for feveral days, in the forepart
of it, my mind was drawn into a deep in
ward ftillnefs ; and being, at times, covered
with the fpirit of fupplication, my heart was
fecretly poured out before the Lord : And
near the conclufion of the meeting for bufi
nefs way opened, that, in the pure flowings
of divine love, I expreffed what lay upon me ;
which, as it then arofe in my mind, was
" firft to fhew how deep anfwers to deep in
the hearts of the fincere and upright ; tho', in
their different growth they may not all have
attained to the fame clearnefs in fome points
relating to our teftimony : And I was led to
mention the integrity and conftancy of many
martyrs, who gave their lives for the tefti
mony of Jefus ; and yet, in fome points,
held dodrines diftinguifhabb from fome
which we hold : And that, in all ages where
people were faithful to the light and under
ftanding which the Moft High afforded
them, they found acceptance with "him ; and
that now, tho' there are different ways of
thinking amongft us in fome particulars, yet,
if we mutually kept to that fpirit and power
which crucifies to the world, which teaches us

102 The LIFE and TRAVELS
us fo be content with things really needful
and to avoid all fuperfluities, giving up our
hearts to fear and ferve tbe Lord, true Unity
may ftill be preferved amongft us : and that
if fuch, who were, at times, under fufferings
on account of fome fcrUples of confcience,
kept low and humble, and in their condud
in life manifefted a fpirit of true charity ;
it would be mOre likely to reach the witnefs
in others, and be of more fervice in the
church, than if their fufferings Were attend
ed wjth a contrary fpirit and condud." In
which exercife I was drawn into a fympa-
thizing tendernefs with the Sheep of Chrift,
however diftinguifhed one from another in
this world ; and the like difpofition appeared
to fpread over others in the meeting. Great
is the goodnefs of the Lord toward his poor
creatures. An epiftle went forth from this yearly-
meeting, which I think good to give a
place in this journal ; being as follows :

From

©fJOHN WOOLMAN. 103

From the yearly-meeting held at Philadel
phia, for Pennfylvania and New-Jerfey,
from the twenty-fecond day of the ninth
month, to the twenty-eighth day of the
fame, inclufive, 1759.
To the quarterly and monthly-meetings of
friends belonging to the faid yearly- meet
ing. :
Dearly beloved friends and brethren, "'
" X N an awful fenfe ofthe wifdom and good-
X nefs of the Lord our God, whofe tender
mercies have long been continued to us in
this land, we affedionately falute you, with
Sincere and fervent defires, that we may re
verently regard the difpenfations, of his pro
vidence, and improve under them."
" The empires and kingdoms of the earth
are fubjed to his Almighty power : He is the
God of the fpirits of all flefh; and deals with
his people agreeable to that wifdom, the depth
whereof is to us unfearehabb : We, in thefe
provinces, may fay, He hath, as a gracious
and tender parent, dealt bountifully with us,
even from the days of our fathers : It was He
who ftrengthened them to labour thro' the
difficulties attending the improvement of a
wildernefs, and made way for them in the
hearts of the natives ; fo that by them they
were comforted in times of want and diftrefs :
It

1 04 The LIFE and TRAVELS
it was by the gracious influence of his holy
fpirit, that they were difpofed fo work righ7
teoufnefs, and walk uprightly one towards
another, and towards the natives, and in life
and converfation to manifest the excellency of
the principles and dodrines of the chriftian
religion; and thereby they retain their efteem
and friendship : Whilft they were labouring
for the neceffaries of life, many of them were
fervently engaged to promote piety and vir
tue in the earth, and educate their children
jn the fear of {he Lord."
" If we carefully confider the peaceable
meafures purfued in the firft fettbment of
the land, and that freedom from the defola-
tions of wars, which for a long time we en
joyed, we fhall find ourfelves under ftrong
obligations to the Almighty, who, when the
earth is fo generally polluted with wicked-;
nefs, gave us a being in a part fo fignally fa
voured with tranquillity and plenty, aqd in
which the glad tidings of the gofpel of
Chrift are fo freely publifhed, that we may
juftly fay with the pfalmift, " What fhall
" we render unto the Lord for all his bene-
?' fits?" " Our own real good, and the good of pur
posterity in fome meafure depends on the
part we ad ; and it nearly concerns us to try
pur foundations impartially. Such are the
different rewards of the juft andunjuft in a
future ftate, that to attend diligently to the
didates of the fpirit of Chrift, to devote our
felves to his fervice, and engage fervently in
his

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 105
his caufe, during our fhort flay in this world,
is a choice well becoming a free intelligent
creature; we fhall thus clearly fee and con
fider that the dealings of God with mankind
in a national capacity, as recorded in holy
writ, do fufficiently evidence the truth of
that faying, " it is righteoufnefs which ex-
-" alteth, a nation;" and tho' he doth not
at all times fuddenly execute his judgments
on a finful people in this life, yet we fee by
many inftances, that where " men follow
" lying vanities, they forfake their own mer-
*' cies;" and as a proud felfifh fpirit prevails
^nd fpreads among a people, fo partial judg
ment, oppreffion, difcord, envy and confu^
fions increafe, and provinces and kingdoms
are made to drink the cup of adverfity as a
reward of their own doings. Thus the inT
fpired prophet, reafoning with the degene-r
rated Jews, faith, " Thine own wickednefs
" fhall corred thee, and thy backflidings
£' fhall reprove thee: Know therefore, that
" it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou
" haft forfaken the Lord thy God, and
" that my fear is not in thee, faith the Lord
f-' God of Hofts." Jer. ii. 19.
The God of our fathers who hath be-
flowed on us many benefits, furnifhed a ta
ble for us in the wildernefs, and made the
defarts and folitary places to rejoice ; he doth
now mercifully call upon us to ferve him
more faithfully — We may truly fay with the
prophet, " it is his voice which crieth to the
I city, and riien of wifdom fee his name:
" The?

106 The LIFE and TRAVELS
" They regard the rod, and him who hath
" appointed it." — People who look chiefly at
things outward, too- little confider the ori
ginal caufe of the prefent troubles ; but fuch
who fear the Lord, and think often upon
his name, they fee and feel that a wrong
fpirit is fpreading among the inhabitants of
our country; that the hearts of many are
waxed fat, and their ears dull of hearing ;
that the Moft High, in his vifitation to us,
inftead of calling, he lifteth up his voice and
crietb; he crieth to our country, and his
voice waxeth louder and louder. In former
wars between the Englifh and other nations,
fince the fettbment of our provinces, the ca
lamities attending them have fallen chiefly
on other places, but now of late they have
reached to our borders ; many of our fellow
fubjeds have Suffered on and near our fron
tiers, fome have been flain in battle, fome
killed in their houfes, and fome in their fields,
fome wounded and left in great mifery, and
others feparated from their wives and little
children, who have been carried captives
among the Indians : We have feen men and
women, who have been witneSFes of thefe
fcenes of forrow, and being reduced to want,
have come to our houfes afking relief. — It
is not long fince it was the cafe of many
young men in one of thefe provinces to be
draughted, in order to be taken as foldiers ;
fome were at that time in great diftrefs, and
had occafion to confider that their lives had
been too little conformable to the purity and
fpirituality

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 107
fpirituality of that religion which we pro-
fefs, and found themfelves too little ac
quainted with that , inward humility, in
which true fortitude to endure hardnefs for
the truth's fake is experienced. — -Many pa
rents were concerned for their children, and
in that time of trial were led to confider,
that their care to get outward treafure for
them, had been greater than their care for
their fettlement in that religion which cruci-
fieth to the world, and enabbth to bear at
clear teftimony to the peaceable government
of the Mefllah, Thefe troubles are removed.
and for a time we are rekafed from them."
" Let us not forget that " the Moft High hath
" his way in the deep, in clouds and in thick
" darknefs" — that it is his voice which crieth
to the city and to the country ; and oh ! that
thefe loud and awakening cries, may have a
proper effed upon us, that heavier chaftife
ment may not become neceflary ! For tho'
things, as to the outward, may, for a Short
time, afford a pbafing profped ; yet, while
a felfifh fpirit, that is not fubjed to the crofs
of Chrift, continueth to fpread and prevail,
there can be no long continuance in outward
peace and tranquillity. If we defire an inhe
ritance incorruptible, and to be at reft in that
ftate of peace and happinefs, which ever con
tinues ; if we defire in this life to dwell un
der the favour and protedion of that Al
mighty Being, whofe habitation is in holi-
ftefs, whofe ways are all equal and whofe
anger is now kindled, becaufe of our back-
flidings

108 The LIFE and TRAVELS
Hidings; let us then awfully regard thefe
beginnings of his fore judgments, and with
abafement and humiliation turn to Him,
whom we have offended."
" Contending with one equal in ftrength, is
an uneafy exercife ; but if the Lord is be
come our enemy, if we perfift to contend
with Him who is Omnipotent, our overthrow
will be unavoidable."
" Do we feel an affedionate regard to pofte-
rity: and are we employed to promote their
happinefs? Do our minds, in things out
ward, look beyond our own diffblution ; and
are we contriving for the profperity of our
children after us? Let us then, like wife
builders, lay the foundation deep; and by
our conftant uniform regard to an inward pi
ety and virtue, let them fee that we really va
lue it : Let us labour in the fear of the Lord,
that their innocent minds, while young and
tender, may be preferved from corruptions ;
that as they advance in age, they may right
ly underftand their true intereft, may confider
the uncertainty of temporal things, and, a-
bove all, have their hope and confidence firm
ly fettled in the bleffing of that Almighty Be
ing, who inhabits eternity, and preferves. and
Supports the world."
" In all our cares about worldly treafures,
let us fteadily bear in mind, that riches pofr
feffed by children, who do not truly ferve
God, are likely to prove fnares that may
more grievoufly entangle them in that fpirit
pf felfifhnefs and exaltation, which ftands in
oppofi-s

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 109
oppofition to real peace and happinefs ; and
renders them enemies to the crofs of Chrift,
who fubmit to the influence of it."
" To keep a watchful eye towards real ob-
jeds of charity, to vifit the poor in their
lonefome dwelling-places, to comfort them
who, thro' the difpenfations of Divine Pro
vidence, are in Strait and painful circumftan-
ces in this life, and fteadily to endeavour to
honour God with our fubftance, from a real
fenfe of the love of Chrift influencing our
minds thereto, is more likely to bring a blef
fing to our children, and will afford more fa
tisfadion to a chriftian favoured with plenty,
than an earneft defire to colled much wealth
to leave behind us, for, " here we have no
" continuing city ;" may we therefore dili
gently " feek one that is to come, whofe build-
" er and maker is God."
" Finally, brethren, whatfoever things are
" true, whatfoever things are juft, whatfoe-
" ver things are pure, whatfoever things are
" lovely, whatfoever things are of good re-
" port ; if there be any virtue, if there be
" any praife, think on thefe things and do
" them, and the God of peace fhall be with
" you." Signed by appointment, and on behalf of
our faid meeting, by feven friends.

On

no The LIFE and TRAVELS
On the twenty-eighth day of the eleventh
month, in the year 1759* I was at the quar
terly-meeting in Bucks county: This day be
ing the meeting of nuinifters and elders, my
heart was enlarged m. the iove of Jefus Chrift;
and the fewxiar of the Moft High was ex
tended to us in that and the enfuing meet
ing. I had converfation, at my lodging, with
my beloved friend Samuel EaStburn ; who
exprefled a concern to join in a vifit to fome
friends, ia that county, who had negroes ;
and as I had felt a draught in ray mind to
that work an the Said county, I came home
and put things an aider : On the eleventh
day x»f the twdfth month following I went
over the river ; and on the next day was at
BnoJdingbauaa-rQeetang ; where, thro1' the de-
fcendings of heavenly dew, my mind was
comforted, and /drawn into a near unity with
the dSbck of JeSks Chrift.
lanterning oapcwa this vifit appealed weighty':
And ibefpne I bft home my mind was often
fad ; under which exercife I felt, at tdaases,
the Holy &pkk which helps .our infirmities ;
thro' which, in private, nay prayers were,
at times, put up to God, that he would be
pleafed to purge me from all felfifhnefs, that
t might be {ftrengihened ±p ditfehaege my
duty faithfully, how hard fpever to the <ma>-
tural part. We proceeded on the vifit in a
weighty frame of fpirit, and went to the
houfes of the moft adive members, through
out the county, who had negroes ; and,
thro'

of JOMN WOOLMAN. i.n
thro' the gioodnefs of the Lord, my mind
was preferved in refignation in times of trial,
and th®' the work was hard to nature,
yet thro' the iftrength of that love which
is fewiger than death, tendernefs of heart
was often felt amongft us in our vifits, and
we patted £mm feveral families with greater
^fodsfadion than we expeded.
We wilfited Jofoph White's ianaily, he be
ing in England ; had alfo a family-fitting at
the houfe »of an ^ekler who bore us company,
and was .at Make-ffield on a firft day : At all
which times my heart was truly thankful to
-the Lord, who was graciomffy pleafed to re
new his lovajng-kindnefe to us, his poor Ser
vants, nanking us together in his work.
In the winter of this year, the fraall-pox be
ing in our town, and many being inoculated,
of which a few died, fome things were.qpenr
ied in nay mind, which I wrote as follow :
The imore fully our lives are iconformable
to the will of Gad, the better it is ior -us. —
I have looked on the fmall-pox as a mefFenger
from the Almighty, to be an affiftant in the
-oaufe of virtue, and -to incite us to confider
whether we employ our time Toffly in fuch
things as we -cenfiftent with perfed wifdom
and goodaafe.
Bwlding houfes fuitahlb fto dwell in9 for
-ourfelves -and -our ereatuses; preparing cloath-
ing fuitable for jghe climate and .feafon, ,amd
¦food convenient, are all difties incumbent
onus: And under thefe general heads, are
many branches of bufinefs, in which we
may

ii2 The LIFE and TRAVELS'
may venture health and life, as neceffity may'
require. This difeafe being in a houfe,- and my bu+-'
finefs calling me to go near it, it incites me
to think, whether this bufinefs is a real in-
difpenfibb duty ; whether it is not in con
formity to fome cuftom, which would be bet
ter laid afide ; or, whether it does not pro
ceed from too eager a purfuit after fome
outward treafure. If the bufinefs before me
fprings not from a clear underftanding, and
a regard to that ufe of things which perfed
wifdom approves ; to be brought to a fenfe
of it, and flopped in my purfuit, is a kind-
nefs ; for when I proceed to bufinefs with
out fome evidence of duty, I have found, by
experience, that it tends to weaknefs
If I am fo fituated that there appears no
probability of miffing the infedion, it tends
to make me think, whether my manner of
life, in things outward, has nothing in it
which may unfit my body to receive this
mefFenger in a way the moft favourable to
me. Do I ufe food and drink in no other
fort, and in no other degree, than was de
signed by Him, who gave thefe creatures for
our fuftenance ? Do I never abufe my body
by inordinate labour, Striving to accomplish
fome end which I have unwifely propofed ?
Do I ufe adion enough in fome ufeful em
ploy ? Or, do I fit too much idle, while fome
perfons, who labour to fupport me, have too
great a fhare of it ? If, in any of thefe
things,

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 113
things, I am deficient, to be incited to con
fider it, is a favour to me.
There is employ neceSFary in fecial life ;
and this infedion, which often proves mor
tal, incites me to think, whether thefe focial
ads of mine are real duties : If I go on a
vifit to the widows and fatherlefs, do I go
purely on a principle of charity, free from
any felfifh views ? If I go to a religious
meeting, it puts me on thinking, whether I go
in fincerity and in a clear fenfe of duty ; or
whether it is not partly in conformity to
cuftom, or partly from a fenfibb delight
which my animal fpirits feel in the com
pany of other people ; and whether to fup
port my reputation as a religious man, has no
fhare in it.
Do affairs, relating to civil fociety, call me
near this infedion ? If I go, it is at the ha
zard of my health and life; and becomes me
to think ferioufly, whether love to truth and
righteoufnefs is the motive of my attending ;
whether the manner of proceeding, is alto
gether equitable ; or whether aught of nar-
rownefs, party intereft, refped to outward
dignities, names, or diftindions among men,
do not Slain the beauty of thofe aSFemblies,
and render it doubtful, in point of duty,
whether a difeiple of Chrift ought to attend
as a member united to the body or not.
Whenever there are blemifhes which, for
a feries of time, remain fuch ; that which
is a means of Stirring us up to look atten
tively on thefe blemifhes, and to labour ac-
I cording

r 1 4 The LIFE and TRAVELS
cording to our capacities, to have health and
foundnefs reftored in our country, we may
juftly account a kindnefs from our gracious
Father, who appointed that mean.
The care of a wife and good man for
his only fon, is inferior to the regard of the
great Parent of the univerfe for his creatures.
He hath the command of all the Powers and
operations in nature ; and " doth not afflid
willingly, nor grieve the children of men :"
Chaftifement is intended for inftrudion, and
inftrudion being received by gentle ehaftife->
ment, greater calamities are prevented.
By an earthquake hundreds of houfes are
fometimes Shaken down in a few minutes,
and multitudes of people perifh Suddenly;,
and many more being crufhed and bruifed in
the ruins of the buildings, pine away and die
in great mifery. ¦<
By the breaking in of enraged mercilefs ar
mies, flourishing countries have been laid
wafte, and great numbers of people perifhedr
in a fhort time, and many more prefied with
poverty and grief.
By the peftibnce people have died fo faff
in a city, that thro' fear, grief and confu
sion, thofe in health have found great dif-n
ficulty in burying the dead, even without
coffins. By famine, great numbers of people, in
fome places, have been brought to the ut-
moft diftrefs, and pined away for want of
the neceflaries of life. Thus, where the kind
invitations, and gentle chaftifements, of a
gracious.

of JOHN WOOLMAN. u§
gracious God have not been attended to, his
fore judgments have, at times, been poured
out upon people. „
While fome rules approved in civil fo
ciety, and conformable to human policy, fo
called, are distinguishable from the purity of
truth and righteoufnefs : While many pro-
feffing truth, are declining from that ardent
love and heavenly mindednefs, which was
amongft the primitive followers of Jefus
Chrift : It is a time for us to attend diligent
ly to the intent of every chaftifement, and
confider the moft deep and inward defign of
them. The Moft High doth not often fpeak with
an outward voice to our outward ears ; but,
if we humbly meditate on his perfedions,
confider that he is perfed wifdom and gpodr
fiefs, and to affiid his creatures to. no pur-
pofe, would be utterly reverfe to his nature,
we fhall hear and underftand his language,
both in his gentle and more heavy chaftife-
rnents ; and take heed that we do not, in the
wifdom of this world, endeavour to efcape
his hand by means too powerful for us.
Had he endowed men with underftanding
to hinder the force of this difeafe by inno
cent means, which had never proved mor
tal nor hurtful to our bodies, fuch difcovery
might be confidered as the period of chaftife
ment by this diftemper, where that know
ledge extended : But as life and health are
his gifts, and not to be difpofed of in our
own wills, to take upon us, when in health,
I 2 a diftemper

n6 . The LIFE and TRAVELS
a diftemper, of which fome die, requires
great clearnefs of knowledge, that it is our
duty to do fo.

CHAP. VII.
His vifit, in company with Samuel Eaftburttr
to Long-Ifland, Rhode-Ifland, Bofton, &c in
)New-England~~ Remarks on the flave-trade at
Newport, and his exercife on that account', alfo
en lotteries — -Some obfervations on the ifland of
Nantucket.
HAVING, for fome time paft, felt a
Sympathy in my mind with friends
Eaftward, I opened my concern in our month
ly-meeting ; and, obtaining a certificate, fet
forward on the feventeenth day of the fourth
month, in the year 1760, joining in com
pany, by a previous agreement, with my be
loved friend Samuel Eaftburn. We had meet
ings at Woodbridge, Rahaway and Plain-
field ; and were at their monthly-meeting of
ministers and elders in Rahaway. We la
boured under fome difcouragement ; but,
thro' the invifibb power of truth, our vi
fit was made reviving to the lowly-minded,
with whom I felt a near unity of fpirit, be ing

of JOHN WOOL MAR 117
ing much reduced in my mind. We pafled
on, and yifited chief of the meetings on
Long-Ifland. It was my concern, from day
to day, to fay no more nor lefs than what
the fpirit of truth opened in me, being jea
lous over myfelf, left I fhould fpeak any
thing to make my teftimony look agreeable
to that mind in people, which is not in pure
obedience to the crofs of Chrift.
The fpring of the miniftry was often low ;
and, thro' the fubjeding power of truth,
we were kept low with it ; and from place to
place, fuch whofe hearts were truly concern
ed for the caufe of Chrift, appeared to be
comforted in our labours ; and, tho' it
was in general a time of abafement of the
creature, yet, thro' His goodnefs, who,
is a helper of the poor, we had fome truly
edifying feafons both in meetings, and in fa
milies where we tarried ; and fometimes
found ftrength to labour earneftly with the
unfaithful, efpecially with thofe, whofe fta-r
tion in families, or in the fociety was fuch,
that their example had a powerful tendency
to open the way for others to go afide from
the purity and foundnefs of the blefled
truth. At Jericho, on Long-Ifland, I wrotg
home as follpws :

n 8 The LIFE and TRAVELS
-24th of the 4th month, 1760.
Dearly beloved wife,
"TTTE are favoured with health; have
VV been at fundry meetings in Eaft-.
Jerfey, and on this ifland : My mind hath
been much in an inward watchful frame fince
I left thee, greatly defiring that our proceed-r
ings may be Singly in the will of our heaven-;
ly Father."
" As the prefent appearance of things is
not joyous, I have been much Shut up from
Outward chearfulnefs, remembering that pro-
mife, " Then fhalt thou delight thyfelf in
the Lord :"-— as this, from day today, has
been revived in my memory, I have confix
dered that his internal prefenc'e on our minds,
is a delight of all others the moft pure ; and
that the honeft-hearted not only delight in
this, but in the effed of it upon them. He
who regards the helplefs and diftrefFed, and
reveals his love to his children under afflidi-
on, they delight in beholding his benevo
lence, and feeling divine charity moving up
on them : Of this I may fpeak a little ; for
tho' fince I left you, I have often found an
engaging love and affedion toward thee and
my daughter, and friends about home, that
going out at this time, when ficknefs is
fo great amongft you, is a trial upon me; yet

©fJOHN WOOLMAN. 119
yet I often remember there are many wi
dows and fatherbfs, many who have poor
tutors, many who have evil exampbs before
them, and many whofe minds are in capti
vity, for whofe fake my heart is, at times,
moved with companion, that I feel my mind
refigned to leave you for a feafon, to exercife
that gift which the Lord hath beftowed on
me ; which, tho' fmall, compared with fome,
yet in this I rejoice, that I feel love unfeign
ed toward my fellow-crCatures. I recom
mend you to the Almighty, who, I truft cares
for you ; and under a fenfe of his heavenly
love, remain" *' Thy loving hufband," "J. W.M

We crofled from the eaft end of Lortg*-
Ifland to New^Londbn, about thirty miles,
in a large open boat; "while we were out, the
wind rifing high, the waves1 feveral times
beat over us, that to me it appeared danger
ous; but niy mind Was, at that time, turn
ed to Him, who made and governs the deep,
and my life was refigned to him : and as he
Was mercifully pleafed to preferve us, I had
frefh Occafion to confider every day, as a day
bnt to me; and felt a renewed engagement
to devote my time, and all I had, to Him
who gave it.
We had five meetings in Narraganfet ; and
went thenee to New-port on Rhode-Ifland. Our

120 The LIFE and TRAVELS
Our gracious Father preferved us in an hums
ble dependence on him thro' deep exer?
eifes, that were mortifying to the creaturely
will. In feveral families in fhe country,
where we lodged, I felt an engagement on
my mind to have a conference with them in
private concerning their Slaves ; and, thro'
divine aid, I was fayqured to give up there
to ; Thp', in Jhis concern, I appear An
gular from many, whofe feryice in travelling,
I believe, is greater than mine ; I dq not
think hard of them for omitting it ; I do
not repine at having fp unpleafant a tafk af-
figned me, but look with awfulnefs iq Him,
who appoints to his fervants their refpedive,
employments, and is good tq all who ferve
him fincerely.
We got to Newport in the evening : And
on the next day vifited two Sick perfons, and
had comfprtabb fittings with them ; and iri
the afternoon attended the burial of a friend,
The next day we were at meetings at
Newport, in the forenoon and afternoon ;
where the fpring °f the miniftry was opened,
and ftrength given to declare the Word of
Life to the people.
The next day we went on our journey ; but;
the great number of flaves in thefe parts,
and the continuance of that trade from thence
to Guinea," made deep impreffion on me; and
my cries wxre often put up tp my heavenly
Father in fecret, that he would enable me tq
difcharge my duty faithfully, in fuch way
as he might be pleafed to point out to me. We

©fJOHN WOOLMAN. ni
We took Swanfea, Freetown, and Tanton,
in our way to Bofton ; where alfo we had a
meeting ; our exercife was deep, and the love
of truth prevailed, for which I bbfs the
Lord. We went eaftward about eighty miles
beyond Bofton, taking meetings, and were
in a good degree preferved in an humble de
pendence on that arm which drew us out;
and, tho' we had fome hard labour with
the difobedient, laying things home and clofe
to fuch as were flout againfl the truth ; yet,
thro' the goodnefs of God, we had, at times,
to partake of heavenly comfort with them whp
were meek, and were often favoured to part
with friends in the nearnefs of true gofpel fel-
lowfhip. We returned to Bofton, and had
another comfortable opportunity with friends
there ; and thence rode back a day's journey
eaftward of Bofton : Our guide being a heavy
man, and the weather hot, and my companion
and I considering it, exprefled our freedom tq
go on without him, to which he confented,
and we refpedfully took our leave of him ; this
we did, as believing the journey would have
been hard to him and his horfe.
We vifited the meetings in thofe parts, and
were meafurably baptized into a feeling qf
the ftate of the fociety ; and in bowednefs of
fpirit went to the yearly-meeting at New
port ; where I underftood that a large num
ber of flaves were imported from Africa into
that town, and then on fab by a member of
pur fociety. At this meeting we met with
John Storer from England, Elizabeth Ship- ley?

122 The LIFE and TRAVELS -
ley, Ann Gaunt, Hannah Fofter, and Mercy
Redman from our parts, all minifters of the
gofpel, of whofe company I was glad*
At this time my appetite failed, and I
grew outwardly weak, and had a feeling of
the condition of Habbakuk, as there ex
prefled. " When I heard, my belly trembled,
my lips quivered, I trembled in myfelf that I
might reft in the day of trouble ;" I had ma
ny cogitations, and was forely diftrefFed : And
was defirous that friends might petition the
legiflature, to ufe their endeavours to difcou-
tage the future importation of flaves ; for I
faw that this trade was a great evil, and
tended to multiply troubles, and bring dif-
treffes on the people in thofe parts, for whofe
welfare my heart was deeply concerned.
But I perceived feveral difKcultbs in regard
to petitioning ; and fuch was the exercife of
my mind, that I had thought of endeavour
ing to get an opportunity to fpeak a few
words in the Houfe of AfFembly, then fetting
in town. This exercife came upon me in the
afternoon, on the fecond day of the yearly-
meeting, and going to bed, I got no fleep
'till my mind was wholly refigned therein ;
and in the morning I enquired of a friend
how long the AfFembly were likely to- conti
nue fitting ; who told me, they were exped
ed to be prorogued that day or the next.
As I was defirous to attend the bufinefs of
the meeting, and perceived the AfFembly?
Were likely to depart before the bufinefs was
over; after confiderable exereife, humbly Seeking

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 125
Seeking to the Lord for inftrudion, my mind
fettled to attend on the bufinefs of the meet
ing ; on the laft day of which, I had pre
pared a fhort efFay of a petition to be pre
sented to the legiflature, if way opened : And
being informed that there were fome ap
pointed, by that yearly-meeting, to fpeak
with thofe in authority, in cafes relating to
the fociety, I opened my mind to feveral of
them, and fhewed them the efFay I had made;
and afterward opened the cafe in the meet
ing for bufinefs, in fubftance as follows :
" I have been under a concern for fome
time, on account of the great number of
flaves which are imported into this colony ; I
am aware that it is a tender point to fpeak to,
but apprehend I am not clear in the fight of
heaven without fpeaiking to it. I have pre
pared an efFay of a petition, if way open, to
be prefented to the legiflature ; and what I
have to propofe to this meeting is, that fome
friends may be named to withdraw and look
over it, and report whether they believe it
fuitable to be read in the meeting ; if they
fhould think well of reading it, it will re
main for the meeting,, after hearing it, to
confider, whether to take any further notice
of it as a meeting or not." After a fhort con
ference fome friends went out, and looking
over it, exprefled their willingnefs to have it
read ; which being done, many exprefFed
their unity with the propofal ; and fome fig
nified, that to have the fubjeds of the petn
tipn^enlarged upon, and to be figned out of
meeting

124 The LIFE and TRAVELS
meeting by fuch who were free, would be
more fuitable than to do it there: Tho' I ex
peded at firft, that if it was done it would be
in that way ; yet fuch was my mind, that to
move it in the hearing of friends when aflem-
bled, appeared to me as a duty ; for my heart
yearned toward the inhabitants of thefe parts ;
believing that by this trade there had been
an increafe of inquietude amongft them, and
a way made eafy for the fpreadirig of a fpirit
oppofite to that meeknefs and humility, which
is a fure refting-place for the foul : Arid that
the continuance of this trade would not on
ly render their healing more difficult, but in'
creafe their malady.
Having thus far proceeded, I felt eafy to
leave the efFay amongft friends, for them to
proceed in it as they believed befl. And
now an exercife revived on my mind in
relation to lotterbs, which were common in
thofe parts ; I had once moved it in a former
fitting of this meeting, when arguments
were ufed in favour of friends being held ex
cufed, who were only concerned in fuch lot
teries as were agreeable to law : And now on
moving it again, it was oppofed as before ;
but the hearts of fome folid friends appeared
to be united to difcpurage the pradice a-r
mongft their members ; and the matter was
zealoufly handled by fome on both fides. In
this debate it appeared very clear to me, that
the fpirit of lotteries was a fpirit of felfifh
nefs, which tended to confufion and dark-

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 125'
nefs of underftanding ; and that pleading for
it in our meetings, fet apart for the Lord's
work, was not right; and in the heat of zeal,
I once made reply to what an antient friend
faid, which when I fat down, I faw that my
words were not enough feafoned with chari
ty ; and after this, I fpake no more on the
fubjed. At length a minute was made ; a
copy of which was agreed to be fent to their
feveral quarterly-meetings, inciting friends to
labour to difcourage the pradice amongft all
profeffing with us.
Some time after this minute was made, I
remaining uneafy with the manner of my
fpeaking to the antient friend, could not fee
my way clear to conceal my uneafinefs, but
was concerned that I might fay nothing to
weaken the caufe in which I had laboured ;
and then, after fome clofe exercife and hearty
repentance, for that I had not attended clofe
ly to the fafe guide, I flood up, and reciting
the paflage, acquainted friends, that tho' I
dare not go from what I had faid as to the
matter, yet I was uneafy with the manner
of my fpeaking, as believing milder lan
guage would have been better. As this was
uttered in fome degree of creaturely abafe
ment, it appeared to have a good favor a-
mongft us, after a warm debate.
The yearly-meeting being now over, there
yet remained on my mind a fecret, tho' hea
vy exercife, in regard to fome leading ac
tive members about Newport, being in the
pradice of flave-keeping. This I mentioned to

126 The LIFE and TRAVELS
to two antient friends, who came out Of the
country, and propofed to them, if way
opened, to have fome converfation With
thofe friends : And thereupon, one of thofe
country friends and I, oonfulted one of the
moft noted elders who had flaves • and he, in
a refpedful manner, encouraged me to prtM
eeed to clear myfelf of what lay upon me
Now I had, near the beginning of the yearly^
meeting, a private conference with this faid
elder and his wife, concerning theirs ; fo that
the way feemed clear to me, to advife with
him about the manner of proceeding: I told
him, I was free to have a conference with
them all together in a private houfe ; or if
he thought they would take it unkind to be
afked to come together, and to be fpoke with
in the hearing of one another, I was free to
fpend fome time among them, and vifit them
all in their houfes: He expreflfed his li-<
king' to the firft propofal, not doubting their
willingnefs to come together : And as I pro
pofed a vifit to only ministers, elders, and
overfeers ; he named fome others, whom he
defired might be prefent alfo : And as a care-*
ful mefFenger was wanted to acquaint them
in a proper manner, he offered to go to all
their houfes to open the matter to them ; and
did fo. About the eighth hour the next
morning, we met in the meeting-houfe cham-'
ber, and the laft-mentioned country friend,
alfo my companion, and John Storer, with
us ; when, after a fhort time of retirement,
I acquainted them with the Steps I had taken in

of J O H N WOOLMAN. 127
in procuring that meeting, and opened the
concern I was under ; and fo we proceeded
to a free conference upon the fubjed. My
exercife was heavy, and I was deeply bowed
in fpirit before the Lord, who was pleafed to
favour with the feafoning virtue of truth,
which wrought a tendernefs amongft us ; and
the fubjed was mutually handled in a calm
and peaceable fpirit : And, at length, feeling
my mind rebafed from that burden which
I had been under, I took my leave of them,
in a good degree of fatisfadion ; and by the
tendernefs they manifested in regard to the
pradice, and the concern feveral of them ex-
preSFed in relation to the manner of difpofing
of their negroes after their deceafe, I believ
ed that a good exercife was fpreading amongft
them ; and I am humbly thankful to God,
who fupported my mind, and preferved me
in a good degree of refignation thro' thefe
trials. Thou, who fometimes travels in the work
of the miniftry, and art made very welcome
by thy friends, feeft many tokens of their
fatisfadion, in having thee for their gueft.
It is good for thee to dwell deep, that thou
mayeft feel and underftand the fpirits of peo
ple : If we believe truth points towards a con
ference on fome fubjeds, in a private way,
it is needful for us to take heed that their
kindnefs, their freedom and affability, do
not hinder us from the Lord's work. I have
feen, that in the midft of kindnefs and fmooth
condud, to. fpeak clofe and home to them
who

128 The LIFE arid TRAVELS
who entertain us, on poirits that relate to1
their outward intereft, is hard labour ; and
fometimes, When I have felt truth lead to-*
ward it, I have found myfelf difqUalified by
a Superficial friendfhip ; and as the fenfe
thereof hath abafed me, and riiy Cries' have
been to the Lord, fo I hate been humbled
and made content^ to appear weak, or as* a
fool for his fake ; and thus a door hath open
ed to enter upon it. To attempt to do the
Lord's work in our own way, and to fpeak
of that which is the burden of the word, in
a way eafy to the natural part, doth not
reach the bottom of the diforder, To fee
the failings of our friends, and think hard of
of them, without opening that which we
ought to open, and ftill carry a face of friend
ship, this tends to undermine the foundation
of true unity.
The office of a minifter of Chrift is weigh
ty : And they who now go forth as watch
men, had need to be fteadily on their guard
againfl the fnares of profperity and an out-
fide friendfhip.
After the yearly-meeting, we were at
meetings at Newtown, Cufhnet, Long-Plain,
Rochefter and Dartmouth : From thence we
failed for Nantucket, in company with Ann
Gaunt, Mercy Redman, and feveral other
friends : The wind being flack, we only reach
ed Tarpawling Cove the firft day; where, go
ing on fhore, we found room in a public-houfe,
and beds for a few of us, the reft fleeping
on the floor; We went on board again about break

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 129
break of day; and tho' the wind was
fmall, 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 reft of the paf-
fengers about midnight : The next day but
one Was their yearly-meeting, which held
four days ; the laft of which was their month
ly-meeting for bufinefs. We had a labori
ous time amongft- them ; our minds were
clofely exercifed, and I believe it was a time
of great fearching of heart : The longer I was
on the ifland, the more I became fenfibb-
that there was a confiderable number of va
luable frierids there, tho' an evil fpirit,
tending to ttrife, had- been at work amongft
them : I was cautious of making any vifits,
but as my mind was particularly drawn to
them ; and in that way we had fome fittings
in friends houfes, where the heavenly wing
was, at times, fpread over us, to our mutual
eomfort. My beloved companion had very acceptable
fervice on this ifland.
When meeting Was over, we all agreed to
fail the next day, if the weather was fuit
able arid we well ; and being called up the
latter part of the night, we went ort board a
veflel, being in all about fifty ; but the wind
changing, the feamen thought befl to flay in
the harbour 'till it altered ; fo we returned on
Shore : And feeling clear as to any further vi
fits, I fpent my time in our chamber chiefly
K alone ;

1 30 .14 The LIFE and TRAVELS -10
alone ;. and after fome hours, my heart be
ing filled with the fpirit of fupplication, my
prayers and tears were >poured out , before
my heavenly Father, for his, help: and in
ftrudion in the manifold difficulties which
attended me in life : And while I wa& wait
ing upon the: Lord, there came a mefJengec
from the women friends, who lodgedxat ano**
thef haufci defiring to confer with; us about
appointing a meeting, which to me appeared
weighty, as we had been at fo many before j
but: after a fhort conference, -"* and adyifing
with J fome ! elderly . friends, a meeting, was
appointed,- in, which the friend? nwhoj firft
moved it, : rand who had;been much.fhut up
before, was largely^ opened in the love of the
gofpeb and/ the next morning, about breajs
pf day, going again ' on board the.veiTel, we
reached Falmouth ion. the. Main before nighty
where our horfes being; brought, we proceed*
ed 'toward Sandwichquarterlyrmeetingsal
Being two days. in. goingxtq Nantucket*
and having been there once before, I obferved
many fhoals. in their bay, which make fail
ing more dangerous, especially r in. Stormy
nights ; alfo,, that: a. great.- fhoaC which en-
clofes -their harbour,' prevents their going
in with Sloops, except when_the tide is. up;
waiting without which, for the; rifing of
the tide^'is fometimes; hazardous in Storms ;
waiting within, they fometimes f mifs < a fain
wind. • I took notice, that on that final!
ifland was a great r, number of inhabitants',.
and the foil not very fertile^ the tirriber fa
fx gone

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 131
gone, that for vefFels, fences, and firewood,
they depend chiefly on the buying from
the Main-, the coft whereof, with moft of
their other expences, they depend principally
upon the whale fifhery to anfwer. I confi
dered, that as towns grew larger, and lands
near navigable waters more cleared, timber
and wood would require more labour to get
it: I underftood that the whales being much
hunted^ and fometimes Wounded and not
killed, grew more fhy and difficult to come
at : I confidered that the formation of the
ealrth, the feas, the iflands, bays and rivers;
the motions- of the winds, and great waters,
which caufe bars and fhoals in particular
places, were all the works of Him who is
perfect, wifdom and goodnefs ; and as people
attend to his heavenly inftrudion^ and put
their truft in him, he provides for them in
all parts, where he gives them a being. And
as in this; vifit to thefe people, I felt a ftrong
defire for their firm eftablifhmerit on the fure
foundation; befides what was faid more pub-
lickly, I was concerned to fpeak with the
women friends, in their monthly- meeting of
bufinefs, many being prefent; and in the
frefh fpririg of pure love, to open before
them the advantage, both inWard and out
ward, of attending fingly to the pure gui
dance of the Holy Spirit, and therein to edu
cate their children in true humility, and the
difufe of all fuperfluities, reminding them
ofthe difficulties their hufbands and fons" were
frequently expofed to.at fea ; and that the more
K 2 plain

14* •• The LIFE and TRAVELS
plain and fimple their way of ¦•living. was^
the lefs need of running great hazards to
fupport them in it; encouraging the young
women in their neat decent way of attending
themfelves on the affairs of the houfe ; Shew
ing, as the way opened, that where people
were truly humble, ufed themfelves to bufi
nefs,' and Were content with a plain way of
life, that it had ever been attended with more
true peace and calmnefs of mind^ than they
have had, who, afpiring to greatnefs and out-
Ward Shew, have grafped hard for an income
to fupport themfelves in it : And as I ob-
ferVed, they had few or no flaves amongft
them, I had to encourage them to be content
without them ; making mention of the nu
merous troubles and vexations, which freT
quently attended the minds of peopfe, who
depend ort Slaves to do their labour.
-1 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, exer-
eifed amongft them, in gofpel-love, accord-'
ing to the feveral gifts beftowed on us;
and Were, at times, ©verfhadowed: with the:
virtue of truth, to the comfort of the ftncere^
and ftirring up of the negligent. Here we
parted with Ann and Mercy, ' and went to
Rhode-Ifland, taking one meeting in our
way, which was a fatisfadory: trrrie ; and
reaching Newport the evening before their
quarterly-meeting, we attended it ; and aftec
that,

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 133
that, had a meeting with our young people,
feparated from thofe of other focieties. We
went thro' much labour in this town ; and
now, in taking leave of it, tho' I felt clofe
inWard exercife to the laft, I found inward
peace ; and was, in fome degree comforted,
in a belief, that a good number remain
in that place, who retain a fenfe of truth;
and that there are fome young people at
tentive to the voice of the heavenly Shep
herd. The laft meeting, in which friends
from the feveral parts of the quarter came
together, was a feled meeting ; and thro' the
renewed manifeftation of the Father's love,
the hearts of the fineere were united toge
ther. That poverty of fpirit and inward weak
nefs, with which I was much tried the fore
part of this journey, has of late appeared to
me as a difpenfation of kindnefs, Appoint
ing meetings, never appeared more weighty
to me; and I was led into a deep fearch,
whether in all things my mind was refigned
to the will of God; often querying with my
felf, what fhould be the caufe of fuch inward
poverty ; and greatly defired, that no fecret
Teferve in my heart might hinder my accef?
to the divine fountain. In thefe humbling
rimes I was made watchful, and excited to
attend the fecret movings of the heavenly
principle in my mind which prepared the
way to fome duties, that in more eafy and
prosperous times as to the outward, I believe
| fhould have been in danger of omitting. From

134 The LIFE and TRAVELS •
From Newport we went to Greenwich,
Shanticul, and Warwick ; and were helped
to labour amongft friends in the love of our
gracious Redeemer : And then, accompanied
by our friend John Cafey from Newport, we
rode thro' Connedicut to Oblong, vifited the
meetings of friends in thofe parts, and thence
proceeded to the quarterly-meeting at Rye-
woods 5 and, thro' the gracious extending?
©f divine help, ha4 fome feafoning ppportu-!
nities in thofe places : So we vifited friends
at New- York and Flufhing ; and thence tq
Rahaway : And here pur roads parting, I took
leave of my beloved companion and true
yokermate Samuel Eaftburn ; and reached
Kiome on the tenth day pf the eighth mpnth,
1760, where I found my family well: Ariq
for the favours and protedipn of the Lord,
both inward and outwards extended to me in
this journey, my heart is humbled in grate
ful acknowledgements ; and find renewed de-?
fires to dvyell and walk in refignednefs be*
fore him.

CHAP.

qf JOHN WOOLMAN. r35
C H 4 P, VIIL
fUs vifit s to Pennfylvania, Shrewsbury and Squan
 His publifhing the fecond part of his conjir
derations on keeping negrops  %he grounds of
his Appearing in fomji refpeils firigular in his
drefs  Efis vifiting the families of friends of
Ahcocds and MountrHdlly meetings  His vifits
to the Indians at Wehaloofing on the river Suf-
quehannah, ,
HAVING felt my mind drawn toward*
a vifit to a few meetings in Pennfylva-r
nia, I was very defirous to be rightly in-
ftrudedas to the time of fetting.ofF: And on
the tenth day of the fifth month, 1761, be-
ing the firft day of the week, I went to Had-?
donfield meeting, concluding to feek for heaT
yenly inftrudion, and come hpme or go on,
as I might then believe beft for me ; and there
thro' the fpringing up of pure love, I felt en
couragement, and fo crofled the river. In this
vifit I was at two quarterly and three month
ly-meetings; and, in the love qf truth, felt
my way open to labour with fome noted
friends, who kept negroes : And as I was fa
voured to keep to the root, and endeavoured
to difeharge what I believed was required of
me, I found inward peace therein, from time
to time ; and thankfulnefs of heart to the
Lord, who: was gracipufly pbafe4 to be a
guide to me. In

1 36 The LIFE and TRAVELS
In the eighth month, 1761 , having felt
drawings in my mind to vifit friends in and
about Shrewfbury ; I went there, and was
at their monthly ^meeting, and their firft-day
meeting ; and had a meeting at Squan, and
another at Squankum ; and, as way opened,
had converfation with fome noted friends
concerning their flaves : And I returned home
in a thankful fenfe pf the gpodnefs of the
Lord. From the care I felt growing in me fome
years, I wrote Confiderations on keeping
^Negroes, part the fecond; which was print
ed this year, 1762. When the pverfeers pf
the prefs 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 moft eafy to publifh them
at my pwn expence, and pffering my reafons
they appeared fatisfied.
This Stock is the contribution of the mem
bers of, our religious Society in general ;
amongft whpm are fome whp keep negroes,
and being inclined to continue them in fla
very, are not likely to be fatisfied with thofe
books being fpread ampngfl a people where
many of the flaves are taught to read, and
efpecially not at their expence ; and fuch, of
ten receiving them as a gift, conceal them j
But as they who make a purchafe, generally
buy that which they have a mind for, I be
lieved it befit to fell them ; expeding, by that
means, they would more generally be read
with attention, Acjvertifements being Signed

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 137
by order of the overfeers of the prefs, di
reded to be read in monthly-meetings of bu
finefs within our own yearly-meeting, in
forming where the books were, and that the
price was no more than the coft of printing
and binding them ; many were taken off in
our parts ; fome I fent to Virginia, fome to
New- York, and fome to Newport, to my ac
quaintance there ; and fome I kept, exped-
ing to give part of them away, where there
appeared a profped of fervice.
In my youth I was ufed to hard labour ;
and tho' I was middling healthy, yet my
nature was not fitted to endure fo much as
many others : That being often weary, I was
prepared to fympathize with thofe whofe cir
cumstances in life, as free men, required con
stant labour to anfwer the demands of their
creditors ; and with others under oppreffion.
In the uneafinefs of body, which I have ma
ny times felt by too much labour, not as a
forced but a voluntary oppreffion, I haye of
ten been excited to think on the original
eaufe of that oppreffion, which is impofed on
many in the world : And the latter part of
the time wherein I laboured on our planta
tion, my heart, thro' the frefh visitations
of heavenly love, being often tender ; and
my leifure time ( frequently fpent in reading
the life and dodrines of our bbfFed Redeem
er, the account of the fufFerings of martyrs,
and the hiftory ofthe firft rife of our fociety :
A belief was gradually fettled in my mind,
£hat if fuch who had great eftates, generally liye4

138 The LIFE and TRAVELS
lived in that humility and plainnefs which
belongs to a chriftian life, and laid much
eafier rents and interefts on their lands and
monies, and thus led the way to a right ufe
of things, fo great a number of people might
be employed in things ufeful, that labour
both for men and other creatures would need
to be no more than an agreeable employ ;
and divers branches Of bufinefsj which ferve
chiefly to pleafe the natural inclinations of
our minds, and which, at prefent, feems ne-«
ceSFary to circulate . that wealth which Sbine
gather, might, in this way of pure wifdom,
be difcontinued. And as I have thus confider
ed thefe things, a query, at times, hath arifen :
Do I, in all my proceedings, keep to that
ufe of things which is agreeable to univerfaf
righteoufnefs ? And then there hath fome de?
gree of fadnefs, at times, come over me ; for
that I accuftomed myfelf to fome things,
which occafioned more labour than I believe
divine wifdom intends for Us.
From my early acquaintance with trutfy
I have often felt an inward diftrefs, occafion-?
ed by the Striving of a fpirit in fne; againfl
the operation of the heavenly principle ; and
in this circumftance have been affected with
a fenfe of my own wretchednefs, and in a
mourning condition felt earneft longing for
that divine help, which brings the foul into
true iiberty ; arid fometimes in this ftate, re
tiring into private places, the fpirit of fop*
plication hath been given me ; and under a
heavenly covering, have afked my gracious. Father,

pf JOHN WOOLMAN, 139
Father, to give me a heart in all things re~
Signed to jthe diredion of his wifdom, and in
uttering language like this, the thoughts of
my wearing hats and garments dyed with a
dye hurtful to them, has made lafting im-
preffions on me,
In vifiting people of note in the fociety
who had flayes, and labouring with them in
brotherly Ipye on that account, I have feen,
and the fight has affeded me, that a con
formity to fome cuftoms, diftinguifhabb from
pure wiSUom, has entangled many ; and the
defire of gain to fupport thefe cuftoms, great
ly pppofe the work of truth : And fometimes
when the profped of the work before me has
been Such, that in bowednefs of Spirit, I
have been drawn into retired places, and be-
fought thp Lord with tears thajt he would
take me wholly under his diredion, and Shew
me the way in which I ought to walk ; it
hath revived with ftrength of convidipn,
that if I would be his faithful fervant, I
muft in all things attend to his wifdom, and
be teachable ; and fo ceafe from all cuftoms
contrary thereto, however xifed amongft re
ligious people.
As hp is the perfedion of power, of wif
dom, and of goodnefs ; fo I believe, he hath
provided, that fo much labour Shall be ne-
cefjary for men's fupport, in this world, as
would, being rightly divided, be a fuitable
employment of their time; and that we can
not go into fuperfluities, or grafp after wealth
jn a way contrary to his wifdom, without haying

U° The LIFE and TRAVELS ¦>
having connexion with fome degree of op
preffion, and with that fpirit which leads to
felf-exaltation and Strife, and which frequent
ly brings calamities on countries, by parties
contending about their claims.
Being thus fully convinced, and feeling an
increafing defire to live in the fpirit of peace;
I was often Sorrowfully affected with
thinking on the unquiet fpirit in which wars
are generally carried on, and with the mife-
ries of many of my fellow-creatures engaged
therein -, fome fuddenly deftroyed ; fome
wounded, and after much pain remain crip
ples; fome deprived of all their outward fub
ftance, and reduced to want; and fome car
ried into captivity. Thinking often on thefe
things, the ufe of hats and garments dyed
with a dye hurtful to them, and wearing more
cloaths in Summer than are ufeful, greW
more uneafy to me; believing them to be
cuftoms which have not their foundation in
pure wifdom. The apprehenfion of being
Singular from my beloved friends, was a Strait
upon me ; and thus I remained in the ufe of
fome things contrary to my judgment.
On the thirty-firft day of the fifth month,
17,61, I was taken ill of a fever ; and, after
having it near a week, I was in great diftrefs
of body : And one day there was a cry raif
ed in me, that I might underftand the caufe
why I was afflided, and improve under it :
And my conformity to fome cuftoms, which
I believed were not right, were brought to
rny remembrance ; and in the continuation of

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 141
of the exercife, I felt all the powers in me
yield themfelves up into the hands of Him
who gave me being ; and was made thank
ful, that he had taken hold of me by his
chaftifement : Feeling the neceflity of further,
purifying,; there was now n° defire in me
for health, until the defign of my corredion
was anfwered ; and thus I lay in abafement
and brokennefs of fpirit, and as I felt a fink
ing down into a calm refignation, fo I felt,
as in an inftant, an inward healing in my
nature ; and from that time forward I grew
better. Tho' I was thus fettled in mind in re
lation to hurtful dyes, I felt eafy to wear my
garments heretofore made ; and fo continued
about nine months. Then I thought of get
ting a hat the natural, colour of the furr ; but
the apprehehfion of being looked upon as one
affeding Angularity, felt uneafy to me : And
here I had occafion to confider, that things,
tho' fmall in themfelves, being clearly
enjoined by divine authority, became great
things to us ; and I trufted that the Lord
would fupport me. in the trials that might
attend Angularity, while that Angularity was
only for his fake : On this account, I was
under clofe exercife of mind in the time of
our General fpring meeting 1762, greatly
defiring to be rightly direded ; when being
deeply bowed in fpirit before the Lord, I was
made willing to 'Submit to what I appre
hended was required of me ; and when L
returned

142 The LIFE and TRAVELS
returned home, got a hat of the natural co
lour of the furr.
In attending meetings, this fingufarity was
a trial up°n me, and more efpecially at this
time, white hats being ufed by fome who
were fond of following the changeable modes
of drefs; and as fome friends, who kneW
not on what motives I wrote it, carried Shy
of me, I felt my way for a time fhut up in
the exercife of the miniftry : And hi this con
dition, my mind being turned1 toward- my
Beavenly Father, with fervent eries that I
might be preferved to walk before him in the
meeknefs of wifdom, my heart was often
tender in meetings ; and I felt an inward'
confolation, which to me was very precious}
under thofe difficulties. .
I' had feveral dyed garments fit for uSe, which
I Believedlf beft to wear, 'till I had occafion of
new ones: And feme friends were apprehen-
five, that my wearing filch a hat favoured of
an affeded Singularity : And fuch who Spake
with me in a friendly way, L generally in
formed in a few words, that I believed my
wearirig it, was not in my own will. I had;
at times;, been fenfibb, that a! foperflciaF
friendship had been dangerous- to me; and
many friends being now uneafy with me, F
had an Inclination' to, acquaint fome with the*
manner of my being- led into thefe things ;
yet; upon a deeper ¦ thought* I was for a time'
moft eafy to omit it, believing the prefent*
difperifation was profitable; and truffing, that1 if

of JOHN" WOOLMAN. 143
if I kept my place, the Lord in his own
time would open the hearts of friends to
ward me: Since which, I have had caufe to
admire his goodnefs and loving-kindnefs, in
leading about and inftrudingi and opening
and enlarging my heart in fome of our
meetings* In the eleventh month of the year 1762,
feeling an/engagment of mind to vifit fome
families in. Mansfield: I joined my beloved
friend Benjamin Jones, and we fpent a few
days together in that fervice. In the fecond
month. 1 7.6.3, I joined in company with Eli
zabeth Smith and Mary Noble, on a vifit to
the families of friends at Ancocas; in both
which vifits, thro' the baptizing power
of truth, the fincere labourers were often
comforted,- and the hearts of friends opened
to receive: us4 And- in the fourth month fol
lowing, I accompanied fome friends in a vi
fit to the families- of friends in Mount-
Holly; inj which my mind was often drawn
into an inward awfulnefs, wherein ftrong
defires were raifed for the everlafting welfare
of my fellow-creatures ; and, thro' the
kindnefs 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 fettle them on the fore
foundation. Having many years- felt love in my heart
toward the natives of this land, who dwell far
back in the wildernefs, whofe anceftors were
the owners an4 pofFeflbrs of the land where we

144 Thd LIFE and TrtAVELS
we dwell ; and who, for a very fmall confi-»
deration, affigned their inheritance to us ;
And being at Philadelphia in the eighth
month, 1 761, on a vifit to fome friends who
had flaves, I fell in company with fome of
thofe natives who lived.on the eaft branch' of
the river Sufquehannah, at an Indian town
called Wehaloofing, two hundred miles from
Philadelphia ; and in converfation with them
by an interpreter, as alfo by obfervations, ori
their countenances and condud, I believed
fome of them were meafurably acquainted
with that divine power which fubjeds the
rough and froward will of the creature :
And, at times, I felt inward drawings to-.
ward a vifit to that place of which I told
none except my dear wife, until it came to
fome ripenefs, and then in the: winter, 1762,'
I laid it before frierids at our monthly and
quarterly, and afterwards at our General fpring
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,
bufinefs : And I being informed thereof by
letter, met them, in town in the fifth month,.
1763 ; and after,, fome converfation, finding
they were fober people, I, by the concurrence;
of friends in that place, agreed to join with
them as companions in their return ; and on
the feventh day of the Sixth month follow
ing, we appointed to meet at Samuel Foulk's,'
at Richland in Bucks county. Now as this
vifit felt Weighty, and Was performed at. a
time

of JOHN WOOLMAN. r4j
time when travelling appeared perilous, fo
the difpenfations of Divine Providence, in
preparing my mind for it, have been memo
rable ; and I believe it good for me to give
fome hints thereof.
After I had given up to go, the thoughts
of the journey were often attended with un-
ufual fadnefs; in which times, my heart was
frequently turned to the Lord with inward
breathings for bis heavenly fupport, that I
might not fail to follow him wherefoever he
Blight lead me : And being at our youth's
meeting at Chefterfield, about a week before
the time I expeded to fet off, was flhere led
to fpeak on that prayer of our Redeemer to
his Father : " T pray not thaife thou fhouldeft
l<r take them out of the world, but that thou
11 fhouldeft keep them from the evil." Amd in
attending to the pure openings ©f truth, had
to mention what He elfewhere faid to his,
Father ; " I know that thou heareft. me at all
times :" So that, as fome of his> followers
kept their places, and ass his prayer was?
granted, it followed neceffarily that they
were kept from evil : And as, fome of thpfo
met with great hardships and afflidions in
this world, and at laft fuffered. death by cruel)
men ; it appears;, that whatfoever befals
men while they live in pure obedience to
God, as it certadaaly works for their good, fo
it may not be confidered an evil as it relates
to them. As I fpake on this fubjed, my
neapt was much tendered, and great awful
nefs came over me ; and then, on the firft
L day

146 The LIFE and TRAVELS
day of the next week, being at our own af
ternoon meeting, and my heart being en
larged in love, I Was led to fpeak on the care
and protedion of the Lord over his people,
arid to make mention of that paflage where
a band of ASFyrians endeavouring to take
captive the prophet, were difappointed ; and
how the pfalmift faid, '" the angel of the
" Lord encampeth round about them that
" fear him." And thus, in true love and
tendernefs, I parted from frrerids, expeding
the next morning to proceed on my journey ;
and being weary went early to bed : And
after I had been afleep a fhort time, I was
awaked by a man calling at my door ; and
arifing, was invited to meet fome friends at
a publick-houfe in our town, who came from
Philadelphia fo late, that friends were gene
rally gone to bed : Thefe friends informed
me, that an exprefs arrived the laft morning
from Pittfburg, and brought news that the
Indians had taken a fort from the Englifh weft-
Ward, and flain and Scalped Englifh people in
divers places, fome near the faid Pittftmrg ;
and that fome elderly friends in Philadel-?
phia, knowing the time of my expeding to
fet off, had conferred together, and thought
good to inform me of thefe things, before I
left home, that I might confider them, and
proceed as I believed beff ; fo I, going again
to bed, told not my wife 'till morning. My
heart was turned to the Lord for his heaven
ly inf rudion ; and it was an humbling time to

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 147
to me. When I told my dear wife, fhe ap
peared to be deeply concerned about it ; but
in a few hours time, my mind became fet
tled in a belief, that it was my duty to pro
ceed on my journey ; and She bore it with a
good degree of refignation. In this conflid of
Spirit, there were great fearchings of heart,
and ftrong cries to the Lord, that no motion
might be in the baft degree attended to,
but that of the pure fpirit of truth.
The fubjeds before-mentioned, on which
I had fo lately fpoken in publick, were now
very frefh before me ; and I was brought in
wardly to commit myfelf to the Lord, to
be difpofed of as he faw befl. So I took
leave of my family and neighbours, in much
bowednefs of fpirit, and went to our month
ly meeting at Burlington ; and after taking
leave of friends there, I crofled the river, ac
companied by my friends Ifrael and John
Pemberton ; and parting the next morning
with Ifrael, John bore me company to Sa
muel Foulk's ; where I met the before-men
tioned Indians, and we were glad to fee each
other : Here my friend Benjamin Parvin met
me, and propofed joining as a companion,
we having pafled fome letters before on the
fubjed ; and now on his account I had a
fharp trial ; for as the journey appeared peri
lous, I thought if he went chiefly to bear
me company, and we fhould be taken cap
tive, my having been the means of draw
ing him into thofe difficulties, would add to
my own afflidions : So I told him my mind
L 2 freely,

14.8 The LIFE and TRAVELS
freely, and let him know that I was refign
ed to go alone ; but after all, if he really be
lieved 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 exercife,
and Benjamin appeared to be fo fattened to
the vifit, that he could not be eafy to leave
me ; fo we went on, accompanied by our
friends John Pemberton, and William Light*
foot of Pikelands, and lodged at Bethlehem j
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 houfe, about five miles from Fort- Allen ;
here we parted, with William : And at this place
we met with an Indian trader, lately corne
from Wioming ;. and. in converfation with him,
I perceived that m?ny white people dp often
fell. rum to the Indians, which, I believe, is a
great evil ; firft, they being thereby deprived
of the ufe of their reafon, and their fpirits vi
olently agitated, quarrels often arife which
end inmifehief ; and the bitternefs and refent-
ments occafioned hereby, are frequently of
long continuance : Again, their Skins and
furrs, gotten thro' much fatigue and hard tra
vels in hunting, with which they intended
to buy cloathing, when they become in
toxicated', they often fell at a bw rate for
more rum ; and afterward, when they Suffer
for want of the neceflaries of life, are an
gry with thofe who, for the fake of gain,
took the advantage of their weaknefs. : Of
this, their chiefs have often complained, a{
their

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 149
their treaties with the Englifh. Where Cun
ning people pafs counterfeits, and impofe
that on others which is good for nothing, it
is confidered as a wickednefs ; but to fell
that to people which we know does them
harm, and which often works their ruin, for
the fake of gain, manifefts a hardened and
corrupt heart ; and is an evil, which de
mands the care of all true lovers of virtue
to fupprefs : And while my mind this even
ing, was thus employed, I alfo remember
ed, that the people on the frontiers, among
whom this evil is too common, are often
poof ; who venture to the outfide of a colo
ny, that they may live more independent on
fuch who are wealthy, who often fet high
rents on their land ; Being renewedly con
firmed in a belief, that if all our inhabi
tants lived according to found wifdorri, la
bouring to promote univerfal love and righ
teoufnefs, and ceafed from every inordinate -
defire after Wealth, and from all cuftoms
which are tindured with luxury, the way
would be eafy for our inhabitants, tho*
much more numerous than at prefent, to live
comfortably on honeft employments, with
out having that temptation they are often
under, of being drawn into fchemes to make
fettlements On lands which have not been
purchafed of the Indians, or of applying to
that wicked pradice of felling rum to them.
On the tenth day of the month we fet out
early in the morning, and croffed the wef-
tefn branch of Delaware, called the Great Lehie

150 The LIFE and TRAVELS
Lehie near Fort- Allen ; the water being
high, we went over in a canoe: Here we
met an Indian, and had fome friendly con
verfation with him, and gave him fome bif.
cuit ; and he having killed a deer, gave the
Indians with us fome of it : Then after tra
velling fome miles, we met feveral Indian
men and women with a cow and horfe, and
fome houfhold goods, who were lately come
from their dwelling at Wioming, and going
tq fettle at another place; we made them
fome fmall prefents ; and fome of them un
derftanding Englifh, I told them my motive
in coming into their country; with which
they appeared fatisfied : > And one of our
guides talking a while with an antient woT
man concerning us, the poor old woman
came to my companion and me, and took
her leave of us with an appearance of fin^
cere affedion. So going on, we pitched our
tent near the banks of the fame river, havT
ing laboured hard in croffing fome pf thofe
mountains called the Blue-Ridge ; -and by
the roughnefs of the Stones, and the cavi
ties between them, and the fteepnefs of thq
hills, it appeared dangerous : But we were
preferved in fafety, thro' the kindnefs of
Him whofe works in thefe mountainous de*
ferts appeared awful ; toward whom my
heart was turned during this day's travel.
Near our tent, on the fides of large tree$
peeled for that purpofe, were various repre-
fentations pf men going to, and returning
from the wars, an4 of fomp killed in battle.

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 151
This being a path heretofore ufed by
warriors ; and as I walked about viewing
thofe Indian hiftories, which were painted
moftly in red but fome in black, and think
ing on the innumerable afflidions which
the proud, fierce fpirit produceth in the
world ; thinking on the toils and fatigues of
warriors, travelling over mountains and de-
ferts ; thinking on their miferies and dif-
trefFes when wounded far from home by
their enemies ; and of their bruifes and great
wearinefs in chafing one another over the
rocks and mountains ; and of their reftlefs,
unquiet State of mind, who live in this fpi
rit • and of the hatred which mutually grows
up in the minds of the children of thofe na
tions engaged in war with each other : Du
ring thefe meditations, the defire to cherifh
the fpirit of love an4 pedee amongft thefe
people, arofe very^frefh in me, This was
the firft night that we lodged in the woods ;
and being wet with travelling in the rain,
the ground, our tent, and the bufhes which
we purpofed to lay under our blankets alfo
wet, all looked difeouraging ; but I believed,
that it was the Lord who had thus far
brought me forward, and that he would
difpofe of me as he faw good, and therein I
felt eafy: So we kindled a fire, with our tent
open to it ; and with fome bufhes next the
ground, and then our blankets, we made
pur bed ; and lying down, got fome fleep :
And in the morning, feeling a little unwell, I went

152 The LIFE and TRAVELS
I went into the river ; the water was
but foon after I felt frefh and well.
The ebyenth day of the fixth month, the
huihes being wet, we tarried in our tent 'till
about eight o'clock ; when going on, crofted
a high mountain fuppofed to he upward of
four miles over ; the fteepnefs on the north
"fide exceeding all the others: We alfo crofled
"twO TWamps; and it raining near night,
we pitched our tent and lodged.
Aoput noon, on our way, we were over*
taken by one of the Moravian brethren, go
ing to Wehatoofing, and an Indian man
with him who could talk Englifh •; and we
'being together while our horfes eat gfafs, h&4
"Some frbndly converfation ; but they tra*
Yelling falter than we, foon left us. This
Moravian, I underftood, had Spent fome
time this fpring at Wehaloofing ; and was,
t>y fome of the Indians, invited tp come
again. The twelfth day of the fixth month, and
firft of the week, it being a rainy day, we
continued in our tent- ; arid here 1 was led to
think OU the nature of the exercife which
hath attended me : Love was the firft raotipn,
and fhpnce a concern arofe to fpend fome time
with the Indians, that I might feel and un?
derftand their life, and the fpirit they five
in, if haply I might -receive fome iraiftarudioin
from them : or they be in any degree helped
forward by my following the leadings of
truth amongft ' them : And as it pleaied the
Lord to make way for my going at a time
when

ofJOHN WOOLMAN. 153
when the troubles of war were increasing,
and when, by reafon of much wet weather,
travelling was more difficult than ufual at
that feafon, I -looked upon it as a more fa
vourable opportunity to feafon my mind,
and bring ine into a nearer Sympathy with
them : And as mine eye was to the great Fa
ther of rnercbs, humbly defiring to barn
what his will was concerning me, I was
made ouiet andeontent.
Our guide's horfe, the' hoppled, went away
in the night % and after finding our own, and
fearchifflg fome time for hira, his foatfteps
were difcovered in the path going back a-
gain, whereupon my kind companion went
off in the -rain, and after about feven hours
returned with him : And here we lodged
again ; tying up our horfes before we went
to bed, and .loafing them to feed about break
pf day.
On the thirteenth day of the fixth month,
the fun (appearing, we fet forward ; >and as I
rode over the barren hills, my meditations
were on the alterations of the eircuniftances
pf the natives of this land fince the comiaag
ki of the EjigliSh. The lands near the fea,,
are conveniently Situated for Jifhing; tbe
lands near the rivers, where the tides flow,
and fome above, are in many places fertile,
and not mountainous ; while the running of
the tides, makes paffing up and down eafy
with any kind of traffick. Thofe natives,
have, in feme places, for trifling considera
tions, fold their inheritance fo favourably Situated ;

t$4 The LIFE and TRAVELS
Situated; and in other places, been driven
back by fuperior force : So that, in many
places, as their way of cloathing themfelves
is now altered frorri what it was, and they,
far remote from us, have to pafs over moun
tains, fwamps, and barren defarts, where
travelling is very troubbforfle, in bringing
their Skins and furrs to trade with us.
By the extending of Englifh fettlements,
and partly by Englifh hunters, the wild
beafts they chiefly depend on for a fubfift-
ance, are not fo plerity as they were ; and
people too often, for the fake of gain, open
a door for them to wafte their fkins and
furrs, in purchasing a liquor which tends to
the ruin of them and their families.
My own will and defires were now very
much broken, and my heart, with much
earneftnefs, turned to the Lord, to whom
alone I looked for help in the dangers before
me. I had a profped of the- Englifh along
the eoaft, for upwards of nine hundrecf
miles, where I have travelled ; and the fa
vourable fituation of the Englifh, 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 to
ward all mankind, in which I felt a ftrong
engagement, that we might be obedient to
the Lord, while in tender mercies, he is yet
calling to us ; and fo attend to pure univer
fal righteoufnefs, as to give no juft caufe of
offence to the Gentiles, who do not profefs
chriftianity?

of JOHN WO OL'MAN. i5S
'chriftianity, whether the blacks from Africa
or the native inhabitants of this continent;
and here I was led into a clofe, laborious
enquiry* Whether I, as an individual, kept
clear from all things which tended to ftir up,
or were conneded with wars, either in this
land or Africa; and my heart was deeply
concerned, that in future I might in all
things keep fteadily to the pure truth, and
live and walk in the plainnefs and fimplicity
of a Sincere follower of Chrift. And in this
lonely journey, I did, this day, greatly be
wail the -Spreading of a wrong Spirit, be*
lieving,' that7 the prosperous, convenient Si
tuation of the Englifh, requires a conflant
attention to divine love arid wifdorrt to guide
and fupport us in a Way anfwerabb to the
Will of that good, gracious, and alfnighty
Being, who hath an equal regard to all man
kind : And here, luxury and covetoufnefs,
with the humefOus oppreffions, and other
evils attending them, appeared very afflid-
ing to me j and I felt in tfhat which is im
mutable, that the feeds pf great calamity
and defolation are foWn and growing faft on
this continent : NOr have I words Sufficient to
fet forth that longing I then felt, that we,
who are placed along the eoaft, and have taft-
ed the love and gOodnefs of God, might a-
rife in his ftrength; arid, like faithful meflen-
gers, labour to check the growth of thefe
feeds, that they may not ripen to the ruin of
We.

156 The LIFE and TRAVELS
We reached the Indian fettbment at Win-
ming: And here we were told, that an Inr
dian runner had been at that place a day or
two before us, and brought news of the In
dians taking an Englifh fort weftward, and
deftroying the people* and that they were
endeavouring to take another; and alfo, that
another Indian runner came there about the
middb of the night before we got there,
who came from a town about ten" miles above
Wehaloofing, and brought news, that fome
Indian warriors, from diftant parts,, came to
that town with two Englifh fcalps ; and told
the people, that, it was war with the En*
gliSh. Our guides took us to the houfe. of a very
antient man ; and foon after we had put in
our baggage, there came a man from ano*
ther Indian houfe fome dift&nce off; and I
perceiving there was a ,rhan near the door,
went out ; and he having a tomahawk
wrapped under his matehooat out of fight,
as I approached hirif, he took if in his hand ;
I, however, went forward, and fpeaking to
him in a friendly way perceived he Under**
flood fome Enghfh:r My companion then
ppming out, we had fome talk with hin^
concerning the nature of our yifit in thefe
parts; and then he going into the houfe
with us, and talking with our guides, foon
appeared friendly, and fat down and fmoak-r
ed his pipe. Tho' his taking his hatchet in
his hand at the inftant I drew near to him, had.

of JOHN WOOLMAN. tc7
had a difagreeable appearance, I believe he
had no other intent than to be in readinefs
in cafe any violence was offered to him.
Hearing the news brought by thefe In
dian runners, and being told by the Indians
where we lodged, that what Indians were
about Wiomiag expeded, in a few days, to
move to fome 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
exercife at night, in which I had to trace
hack, and view over the fteps I had taken
from my firft moving in the vifit ; and tho*
I had to bewail fome weaknefs which, at
times, had attended me, yet I could not
find that I had ever given way to a wil
ful difobedience : And then as I believed I
had, under a fenfe of duty, come thus far,.
I was now- earneftc in fpirit befeeching the
Lord to fhew me what I ought to da In
this great diftrefs I grew jealous of myfelf,
left, the defire of reputation, as a man
firmly fettled to perfevere thro' dangers, or
the fear of difgrae© arifing on my return
ing without performing the vifit, might;
have fome place, in me : Thus I lay, full
of thoughts, great part of the night, while
my beloved companion lay and flept by
me; 'till the Lord, my gracious Father,
who faw the conflicts of my foul, was
pleafed to give quietnefs : Then I was again
Strengthened to commit my life, and all
things relating thereto, into his heavenly hands ;

158 The LIFE and TRAVELS
hands ; and getting a little fleep toward day,
when morning came we arofe.
On the fourteenth day of the fixth month,.
we fought out and vifited all the Indians
hereabouts that we could meet with ; they
being chiefly in one place, about a mile from
where we lodged, in all perhaps twenty.
Here I exprefled 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 fee the Indians, and
fpeak with them in their houfes. Some'
of them appeared kind and friendly. So we
took our leave of thefe Indians : And went
up the river Sufquehannah, about three
miles, to the houfe of an Indian, called Ja
cob 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 fpring, which, lying dry, was leaky ;
fo that we, being detained fome hours, had
a good deal of friendly converfation with
the family ; and eating dinner with them,
we made them fome fmall prefents. Then
putting our baggage in the canoe, fome of
them pufhed floWly up the ftream, and the
reft of us rode our horfes ; and fwimming
them over a creek, called Lahawahamunk,
we pitched our tent a little above it, being
a Shower in the evening : And in a fenfe, pf
God's goodnefs in helping me in my diftrefs,
Suftaining me under trials, and inclining
my heart to truft in him, I lay-down in an
humble

of JOHN WOOLMAN. i59
humble bowed frame of mind, and had a
comfortable" night's lodging.
On the fifteenth day of the fixth month,
we proceeded forward 'till the afternoon ;
when a ftorm appearing, we met our canoe
at an appointed place ; and the rain conti
nuing, we ftayed all night, which was fo
heavy, that it beat thro' our tent, and wet
us and our baggage.
On the fixteenth day, we found, on our
way, abundance of trees blown down with
the ftorm yefterday ; and had occafion reve
rently to confider the kind dealings of the
Lord, who provided a fafe place for us in a
valley, while this ftorm continued. By the
falling of abundance of trees acrofs our path,
we were much hindered, and in fome fwamps
our way was fo flopped, that we got thro'
with extream difficulty.
I had this day often to confider myfelf as
a fojourner in this world ; and a belief in
the all-fufficiency of God to fupport his peo
ple in their pilgrimage felt comfortable to
me ; and I was induftrioufly employed to get
to a ftate of perfed refignation.
We feldom faw our canoe but at appoint
ed places, by reafon of the path going off
from the river : And this afternoon, Job Chi-
laway, an Indian from Wehaloofing, who
talks good Englifh, and is acquainted with
Several people in and about Philadelphia, met
our people on the river ; and underftanding
where we expeded to lodge, pufhed back
about fix miles, and came to us after night ;
and

1 6.6 The LIFE and TRAVELS
and in a while our own canoe came, it be--
ing hard work pufhing up Stream. Job- told
us, that an Indian came in hafte to their
town yefterday, and told them-, that three
warriors coming from fome distance, lodg
ed in a town above Wehakjofing a few nights
paft; and that thefe three men were going
againfl the Englifh at Juniata. Job was
going down the river to- the province-flor©
at Shamofein. Tho* I was fo far favoured
with health as to continue travelling, yet
thro' the various difficulties in our journey,
and the different way of living from what
I had been ufed to, I grew ffek : And the
news of thefe warriors being on their march
fo near us, and not knowing whether we
might not fall in with them, was a frefh
trial of my faith ; and tho' thro' the ftrength
of divine love, I had feveral times been
enabled to commit myfelf to the divine dif-
pofal, I ftill found the want of my ftrength
to be renewed, that I might perfevere there
in ; and my cries for help were put up to^
the. Lord, who, in great mercy, gave me a
refigned heart, in which I found quietnefs*
On the feventeenth day, parting from- Job
Chilaway, we went on, and reached1 Weh»*
loofing about the middle of the afternoon :
and the firft Indian that w© faw, was a wo
man of a modeft countenance, with a Bible,
who firft fpake to our guide; and then, with
a harmonious voice, exprefied her gladnefs
at feeing us, having before heard of our
coming : then, by- the diredion of our guide, we

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 161
we fat down on a log and he went to the
town, to tell the people we were come. My
companion and I fitting thus together, in a
deep inward flillnefs, the poor woman came
and fat near us ; and great awfulnefs com-
ing over us, we rejoiced in a fenfe of God's
love manifefted to our poor fouls. After a
while, we heard a conkfhell blow feveral
times, and then came John Curtis, and
another Indian man, who kindly invited us
into a houfe near the town, where we found,
I fuppofe, about fixty people fitting in fi
lence ; and after fitting a fhort time, I flood
up, and in fome tendernefs of fpirit ac
quainted them with the nature of my vifit,
and that a concern for their good had made
me willing to come thus far to fee them :
All in a few fhort fentences, which fome of
them underftanding, interpreted to the
others, and there appeared gladnefs amongft
them. Then I Shewed them my certificate,
which was explained to them ; and the Mo
ravian who overtook us on the way, being
now here, bade me welcome.
On the eighteenth day, we refted ourfelves
this forenoon ; and the Indians knowing that
the Moravian and I were of different reli
gious focieties, and as fome of their people
had encouraged him to come and flay a
While with them, were, I believe, concerned,
that no jarring or difcord might be in their
meetings : And they, I fuppofe, having con
ferred together, acquainted me, that the
people, at my fequeft, would, at any time,
M come

162 The LIFE and TRAVELS
come together, and hold meetings ; and alfo
told me, that they expeded the Moravian
would fpeak in their fettled meetings, which
are commonly held morning and near even
ing. So I found liberty in my heart to fpeak
to the Moravian, and told him of the care
I felt on my mind for the good of thefe peo
ple ; and that I believed no ill effeds would
follow it, if I fometimes fpake in their meet^
ings when love engaged me thereto, with
out calling them together at times when they
did not meet of courfe : Whereupon he ex-
prefFed his good-will toward my fpeaking.
at any time, all that I found in my heart
to fay : So near evening I was at their meet--
ing, where the pure gofpel love was felt,, to1
the tendering fome of our hearts ; and the
interpreters endeavouring to acquaint the
people with what I faid, in Short fentences,
found fome difficulty, as none of them were
quite perfed in the Englifh and Delaware
tongues, fo they helped one another, and we
laboured along, divine love attending : And
afterwards feeling my mind covered with
the fpirit 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 exprefled my willingnefs for
them to omit interpreting; fo our meeting:
ended with a degree of divine love : And
before the people went out, I obferved Pa-
punehang (the man who had been zealous
in labouring for a reformation in that town,
being then very tender) fpoke to one of the
interpreters :

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 163
interpreters : And I was afterwards told that
he faid in fubftance as follows ; " I love to
feel where words come from."
On the nineteenth day, and firft of the
week, this morning in the meeting the In
dian who came with the Moravian, being al
fo a member of the fociety, prayed; and
then the Moravian fpake a fhort time to the
people; And in the afternoon, they coming
' together, and my heart being filled with a
heavenly care for their good, I fpake to them
a while by interpreters ; but none of them
being perfed in the work, and I feeling the
current of love run ftrong, told the inter
preters, that I believed fome of the people
Would underftand me, and fo I proceeded :
In which exercife, I believe the Holy Ghoft
wrought on fome hearts to edification, where
all the words were not underftood. I look
ed upon it as a time of divine favour, and
my heart was tendered and truly thankful
before the Lord ; and after I fat down, one
of the interpreters feemed fpirited to give the
Indians the fubftance of what I had faid.
Before our firft meeting this morning, I
was led to meditate on the manifold diffi
culties of thefe Indians, who, by the per-
miflion of the Six Nations, dwell in thefe
parts ; and a near fympathy with them was
raifed in me; and my heart being enlarged
in the love of Chrift, I thought that the af-
fedionate care of a good man for his only
brother in afflidion, does not exceed what I
then felt for that people. M 2 I came

r 64 The LIFE and TRAVELS
I came to this place thro' much trou
ble ; and tho', thro' 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 war
riors, were, in times of weaknefs, affliding
to me ; and being of a tender constitution
of body, the thoughts of captivity amongft
them were, at times, grievous ; as fuppofing,
that they being ftrong and hardy, might de
mand fervice 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 fome good end; and thus, from
time to time, my mind was centered in refig
nation, in which I always found quietnefs.
And now, this day, tho' I had the fame
dangerous wildernefs between me and home,
I was inwardly joyful that the Lord had
Strengthened me to come on this vifit, and
manifested a fatherly care over me in my
poor lowly condition, when in mine own eyes
I appeared inferior to many amongft the In
dians. When fhe laft mentioned meeting was
ended, it being night Papunehang went to
bed ; and one of the interpreters fitting by
me, I obferved Papunehang fpoke with an
harmonious voice, I fuppofe, a minute or
two: And afking the interpreter, was told,
that " he was expreffing his thankfulnefs to
God for the favours he had received that
day ; and prayed that he would continue to
favour him with that fame, which he had
experienced

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 165
experienced in that meeting." That tho'
Papunehang had before agreed to receive' the
Moravian, and join with them, he ftill ap
peared kind and loving to us.
On the twentieth day, I was at two meet
ings, and filent in them.
The twenty-firft > day. This morning in
meeting my heart- was enlarged in pure
love amongft them, and in fhort plain fen-
tences expreffed feveral things that refted up
on me, which one of the interpreters gave
the people pretty readily ; after which the
meeting, ended in fupplication, and I had
caufe humbly to acknowledge the loving-
kindnefs of the Lord toward us ; and then I
-believed that a door remained open for the
faithful difciples pf Jefus Chrift; to, labour
amongft thefe people.
I now feeling my mind at liberty to re
turn, took my feaye of them in general, at
the conclufion of what I faid in meeting;
and fo we prepared to. go homeward: But
fome of their moft adive men told us, that
when we were ready tor move, the people
would choofe to come ^nd fhake hands with
us; which thofe who ufoaliy came to meet-..
ing did : And from a fecret draught , in my
mind, I went amongft fome who did not
ufe to goto meeting, -;and ; took my leave of
them alfo: And theMcravian and his Indian
interpreter, (appeared refpedful to- us i atpart-
ing. . This town ftands on the bank. of Suf-
uuehannah, and eonfifts, I believe, of about
forty houfes,, moftly cqmpad together ; fome
about

1 66 The LIFE and TRAVELS
about thirty feet long, and eighteen wide
fome bigger, fome lefs ; moftly built of fplit
plank, one end fet in the ground, and the
other pinned to a plate, on which lay" raf*
lers, and covered with bark. I underftand
a great flood laft winter overflowed the chief
part of the ground where the town ftands ;
and fome were now about moving their
houfes 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 Beth
lehem with fkins and furrs, who ehofe to
go in cprnpany with us : So they loaded two
canoes, which they defired us to go in, tell
ing Us, that the wafers Were fo raifed with
the rairis, that the horfes Should be taken by
fuch who were better acquainted with the
fording places : So we, with feveral Indians,
went in the canoes, and others Went on
horfes, there being feven befides ours. And*
we meeting with the horfemen once on the
way by appointment, and then near flight,
a little below a branch called Tahkhannah,
we lodged there; and fome of the young
men going out a little before dufk with their
guns,,' brought in a deer.
Ori the twenty-fecond day, thro' diligence,
we reached Wiorriing before night, arid un
derftood the Indians were moftly gone from
this place : Here we went up a frriali creek
into the woods with pur canoes, add, pitch
ing our tent, carried out Our baggage ; and
before dark our horfes earne to us. On

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 167
On the twenty-third day in the morning
their horfes were loaded, and we prepared
our baggage and fo fet forwaid, being in all
fourteen ; and with diligent travelling were
favoured to get near half way to Fort-Allen.
The land on this road from Warning to our
frontier being moftly poor, and good grafs
fcarce, they chofe a piece of low ground to
lodge on, as the befl for grafing ; and I
having fweat much in travelling, and being
weary flept found; I perceived in the night
that I had taken cold, of which I was fa
voured to get better foon.
On the twenty rfourth day we paSFed Fort-
Albn, and lodged near it in the woods.
Having forded the weflerly branch of De
laware three times, and thereby had a Shorter
way, and miffed going over the top of the
blue mountains, called the Second Ridge. In
the fecond time fording, where the river cuts
thro' the mountain, the waters being rapid
and pretty deep, and my companion's mare
being a tall tradable animal, he Sundry tirnes
drove her back thro' the river, and they
loaded her with the burdens of fome frnafl
horfes, which they thought not fufficierit to
come thro' with their loads.
The troubles weftward, and the difficulty
for Indians to pafs thro' our frontier, I ap
prehend was ofae reafon why fo many came;
as expeding that our being in company, Would
prevent the Outfide inhabitants from being
furprifec}. On

1 68 The LIFE and TRAVELS
On the twenty-fifth day we reached Beth-!
lehem, taking care on the way to keep fore-
moft, and ,to acquaint people on and near
the road who thefe Indians were : This we
found very needful ; for the frontier inhabit
ants were often alarmed at the report of
Englifh being killed by Indians weftward.
Amongft our company were fome who I
did not remember to have feen at meeting,
and fome of thefe at firft were very referved ;
but we being feveral days together, and be
having friendly toward them, and making
them fuitable returns for the fervices they
did us, they became more free and fociable.
On the twenty-fixth day and firft of the
week, having carefully endeavoured to fettle
all affairs with the Indians relative to our
journey ; we took leave of them, and I
thought they generally parted with us af-
iedionately ; fo we getting to Richland, had
a very comfortable meeting amongft our
friends : Here I parted with my kind friend
and companion Benjamin Parvih; and ac
companied 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 fee me re
turn from a journey which they apprehend
ed dangerous ':" But my mind-,, while I was
out, had been f° employed in Striving for a
perfed refignation, and I had fo often been
confirmed in a belief, that whatever the
Lord might be pleafed to allot for me, would Work

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 169
work for good: I was careful left I fhould
admit any degree of felfifhnefs in being glad
overmuch, and laboured to improve by thofe
trials in fuch a manner as my gracious Fa
ther and protedor intends for me. Between
the Englifh inhabitants and Wehaloofing, we
had only a narrow path, which in many pla-
7es is much grown up with bufhes, and in
terrupted by abundance of trees lying acrofs
it thefe, together with the mountains, fwamps
an! rough Stones, make it a difficult road to
tra\el ; and the more fo, for that rattlefnakes
abound there, of which we killed four :
That people who have never been in fuch
places, have but an imperfed idea of them ;
but I was not only taught patience, but alfo
made thankful to God, who thus led me a-
bout and inftruded me, that I might have a
quick and lively feeling of the afflidions of
iny fellow-creatures, whofe fituation in life
jit difficult.

C'H'A P.

1 70 The LIFE and TRAVELS
CHAP. IX.
His religious converfation with a company met to
fee 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  Con*
temptations on the nature of true wifdom, occo*
fioned by hearing of the cruelty of the IndicMS
to their captives  His vifiting the fctmiliei of
friends at Mount-Holly, Mansfield and Burling;
ton in 1764, and the meetings on th fea coaft
from Cape May toward Squan in 176$, in com,
pany with John Sleeper ; with fome account of
Jofeph Nichols and his follower S\ and. obfervatiotis >
on the different ftate of the firft fettlers in Penn^
fylvania "who depended on their own labour, anl
thofe of the foiithern provinces who kept negrot*
•  His vifiting the northern parts of Neils
Jerfey the fame year, and the weftern parts of
Maryland and Pennfylvania in 1 767, and aft
terwards other -parts of Pennfylvania and the fa
milies of friends at Mount-Holly \ and again fin
veral parts of Maryland in 1768  Furtkr
confiderations on keeping flaves ; and his concern
for having formerly, as an executor, been part)
to the fale of one ; and what he did in confet,
quence of it  Thoughts on friends exercifit^
offices in civil government.
THE

of JOHN WOOLMAN. i7[
THE latter part ofthe fummer, 1763,
there came a man to Mount-Holly,
who had before published, by a printed ad-
vertifement, that at a certain publick-houfe,
he would fhew many wonderful operations,
which he therein enumerated.
This man, at the time appointed, did, by
flight of hand, Sundry things ; which, to
thofe gathered, appeared ftrange.
The next day, I hearing of it, and un
derftanding that the fhew was to be conti
nued the next night, and the people to meet
about fun-fet, felt an exercife on that. ac
count : So I weut to the publick-houfe in
the evening, and told the man of the houfe
that I had an inclination to Spend, a part
of the evening there ; with which he figni
fied that he was content. Then fitting down
by the door, I fpake to the people as they
came together, concerning this SheW; arid
more coming and fitting down with us, the
feats at the door were moftly filled ; and I
had converfation with them in the fear of
the Lord, and laboured to convince them
that thus aflernbling to^ fee thofe tricks or
flights of hand, and beftowing their money
to fupport men who in that capacity were of
no ufe in the world, was contrary to the na
ture of the chriftian religion,
There Was one of the company who, for a
time, endeavoured by arguments to fhew the

172 The LIFE and TRAVELS
the reafonablenefs of their proceedings here
in; but after confidering fome texts of fcrip-
ture, and calmly debating the matter, he
gave up the point. So having fpent about an
hour amongft them,, and feeling my mind ea
fy, 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,
tho' not eloquent, flood up in our meeting
of ministers and elders, and appearing to be
under a great exercife of fpirit, informed
friends in fubftance as follows : to wit,
" That he had been a member, of our fociety
upwards of fixty years, and well remembered
that in thofe early times friends were a plain
lowly-minded people; and: that there was
much tendernefs and contrition in their
meetings. — That at twenty years from that
time,; the fociety increafing in wealth, and in
fome degree conforming to the fafhions of the
world, true humility was lefs apparent, and
their meetings in general not fo lively and
edifying — That: at the end of forty years,
many of them .were. grown very rich; that
wearing of fine coftly r garments, and ufing of
filver (and other) watches, : became cuftomary
with them, their fans and their daughters, and
many of the fociety made a Specious appear
ance in the world ; which marks of outward
wealth and greatnefs, appeared on fome in
our meetings of ministers and elders; and
as thefe things became more prevalent, fp
the,

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 173
the powerful overfhadowings of the Holy
Ghoft were lefs manifeft in the Society—
That there had been a continued increafe of
thefe ways of life even until now ; and that
the weaknefs which hath now overfpread
the fociety, xand the barrennefs manifeft
amongft us, is matter of much forrow."
He then mentioned the uncertainty of his
attending thefe meetings in future, exped
ing his diflolution was now near ; and hav
ing tenderly expreffed his concern for us,
fignified that he had feen in the true light
that the Lord would bring back his people
from thefe .things into which they were thus
degenerated, but that his faithful fervants
muft firft go thro' great and heavy exercifes
therein. On the twenty-ninth day, the committee
appointed by the yearly-meeting to vifit
the quarterly and monthly meetings, now
gave an account in -writing of their proceed
ings in that fervice; in which they figni
fied, that in the courfe of it, they had been
apprehenfive that fome perfons holding of
fices in government, inconfiftent with our
principles ; and others who kept flaves, re
maining adive members in our meetings of
difcipline, had been one means of weaknefs
more and more prevailing in the manage
ment thereof in fome places. After this re
port was read, an exercife revived on my
mind, which, at times, had attended me fe
veral years, and inward cries to the Lord
were raifed in me, that the fear of man
might

174 The LIFE and TRAVELS
might not prevent me from doing what he
required of me ; and ftanding up, I fpake
in fubftance as follows : " I have felt a ten
dernefs in my mind toward perfons, in two
eircumftances mentioned in that report;
that is, toward fuch adive members who
keep flaves, and fuch who hold offices in ci
vil government ; and have defired, that
friends in all their condud may be kindly
affedioned one toward another. Many
friends, who keep flaves, are under fome
'exercife on that account; and, at tiriies,
think about trying them with freedom; but
find many things in their way : And the
way of living, and annual expences of fome
of them are Such, that it feems impradicat
ble for them to fet their flaves free, without
changing their own way of life. It has been
my lot to be often abroad : And I have ob-
ferved in fome places, at quarterly and year
ly-meetings, and at fome houfes where tra
velling friends and their horfes are often
entertained, that the yearly expence of in
dividuals therein is very confiderable : And
friends in fome places crouding much on
perfons in thefe eircumftances for entertain
ment, hath often refted as a burden on my
mind for fome years paft ; and I now ex-
prefs it in the fear of the Lord, greatly de-
firing that friends now prefent may duly
confider it."
In the fall of this year, having hired a
man to work, I perceived in converfation
that he had been a foldier in the late war on
this

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 175
this continent ; and in the evening, giving a
narrative of his captivity amongft the Indians
he informed me that he faw two of his fel
low captives tortured to death in a very cru
el manner.
This relation affeded me with fadnefs un
der which I went to bed ; and the next morn
ing, foon after I awoke, a frefh and living
fenfe of divine love was fpread over my mind;
in which I had a renewed profped of the na
ture of that wifdom from above, which leads
to a right ufe of all gifts, both fpiritual and
temporal, and gives content therein : Under
a feeling thereof, I wrote as follows :
" Hath He, who gave me a being attend
ed with many wants unknown to brute-
creatures, given me a capacity fuperior to
theirs? and Shewn me that a moderate ap
plication to bufinefs is proper to my prefent
condition; and that this, attended with his
bleffing, may fupply all outward wants,
while they remain within the bounds he
hath fixed ; and no imaginary wants pro
ceeding from an evil fpirit, have any place
in me ? Attend then, O my foul ! to this
pure wifdom, as thy fure condudor thro'
the manifold dangers in this world!"
" Doth pride lead to vanity? Doth vani
ty form imaginary wants? Do thefe wants
prompt men to exert their power in requi
ring that of others, which themfelves would
rather be excufed from, were the fame re
quired of them ?" "Do

176 The LIFE arid TRAVELS
" Do thofe proceedings beget hard
thoughts ? Do hard thoughts, when ripe
become malice? Does malice, when ripe,
become revengeful ; and in the end inflid
terrible pains on their fellow-creatures, and
fpread defolations in the world ?"
" Doth mankind, walking in uprightnefs^
delight in each other's happinefs? And do
thefe creatures, capable of this attainment
by giving way to an evil fpirit, employ
their wit and ftrength to afflict and deftroy
one another •"
" Remember then, O my foul ! the quie
tude of thofe in whom Chrift governs, and in
all thy proceedings feel after it !"
" Doth he condefcend to blefs thee with
his prefence ? To move and influence to
adion? To dwell in thee,- and walk in thee?
Remember then thy ftation, as a being fa-
cred to God : Accept of the ftrength freely
offered thee ; and take heed that no weak
nefs, in conforming to expenfive, unwife,
and hard-hearted cuftoms, gendering to dif
cord and ftrife, be given way to. Doth he
claim my body as his temple ? And graci-
oufly grant that I may be facred to him.
Oh ! that I may prize this favour ; and that
my whole life may be conformable to this
charader !"
" Remember, O my foul! that the prince
of peace is thy Lord : That he communicates
his unmixed wifdom to his family; that
they, living in perfed fimplicity, may give no

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 177
no juft caufe of offence to any creature,
but may walk as he walked!"
Having felt an opennefs in my heart to
ward vifiting families in our own meeting,
and efpecially 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
feveral friends of our meeting being united
in the exercife, we proceeded therein ; and
thro' divine favpur were helped in the work,
fo that it appeared to me as a frefh reviving
of godly care amongft friends : And the lat
ter part of the fame winter, I joined my
friend William Jones, in a vifit to friends'
families in Mansfield ; in which labour, I
had caufe to admire the goodnefs of the
Lord toward us.
Having felt my mind drawn toward a
vifit to friends along the fea-coaft from Cape
May to near Squan ; and alfo to vifit fome
people in thofe parts, amongft whom there
is no fettled worfhip ; I joined, with my be
loved friend Benjamin Jones, in a vifit there,
having friends unity therein : And fetting off
the twenty-fourth day of the tenth month,
1765, we had a profperous and very fatis-
fadory journey ; feeling, at times, thro' the
goodnefs of the heavenly Shepherd, the gof
pel to flow freely toward a poor people fcat-
tered in thofe places : And foon after our re
turn, I joined my friends John Sleeper and
Elizabeth Smith, iri vifiting friends familbs
N at

178 The LIFE and TRAVELS
at Burlington, there being at this time
about fifty families of our fociety in that
city; and we had caufe humbly to adore
our heavenly Father, who baptized us into
a feeling of the ftate of the people, and
Strengthened us to labour in true gofpel love
amongft them.
An exercife having, at times, for feveral
years attended me, in regard to paying a
religious vifit to friends on the Eaftem Shore
of Maryland : Such was the. nature of this
exercife, that I believed the Lord moved me
to travel on foot amongft them, • that by fo
travelling I might have a more lively feeling
of the condition of the opprefFed flaves, fet
an example of lowlinefs before the eyes of
their mafters, and be more out of the way of
temptation to unprofitable converfe.
The time now drawing near in which I
believed it my duty to lay my concern before
our monthly-meeting, I perceived in con
verfation with my beloved friend John Sleep
er, that he was under a concern to travel
the fame Way, and alfo to travel on foot in
the form of a fervant amongft them, as he
expreft it. This he told me before he knew
aught of my exercife.
We being thus drawn the fame way, laid
our exercife and the nature of it before
friends ; and obtaining certificates, we fet
off the fixth day of the fifth month, 1 766 ;
and were at meetings with friends at Wil
mington, Duck-Creek, Little-Creek and Mo
therkill j

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 179
therkill; my heart being fundry times ten
dered under the divine influence, and en
larged in love toward the people amongft
whom we travelled,
From Motherkill, we crofted the country
about thirty-five miles to friends at Tucka-
hoe in Maryland, and had a meeting there
and at Marfhy-Creek.
At thefe, our three laft meetings, were a .
confiderable number of people, followers of
one Jofeph Nichols, a preacher; who, I un
derftand, is not in outward fellowfhip with
any religious fociety of people,, but profefT-
eth nearly the fame principles as our fociety
doth, and often travels up and down ap
pointing meetings, to which many people
come : I heard fome friends fpeaking of fome
of their neighbours, who had been irreligi
ous people, that were now his followers, and
were become fober well-behaved men and
Women. Some irregularities, I hear, have been
amongft the people at feveral of his meet
ings ; but from the whole of what I have
perceived, I believe the man and fome of his
followers, are honeftly difpofed, but that
fkilful fathers are wanting among them :
From hence we went to Choptank and Third
Haven; and thence to Queen Ann's. The
weather having fome days paft been hot and
dry, and we to attend meetings purfuant to
appointment, having travelled pretty fteadily,
and had hard labour in meetings, I grew
N 2 weakly

rS.o The LIFE and TRAVELS
weakly ; at which I was for a time difcou-
raged; but looking- over our journey, and
thinking how the Lord had Supported our
minds and bodies, fo that we got forward
touch fafter than I expeded before we came
out, I now faw that I had been in danger of
too Strongly defiring to get foon thro' the
journey, and that this bodily weaknefs now
attending me was a kindnefs to toe ; and
then, in contrition of fpirit, I became very
thankful to my gracious Father, for this ma
nifestation of his love ; and in humble fub-
miffion to his will, my truft was renewed in
him. On this part of our journey, I had many
thoughts on the different eircumftances of
friends who inhabit Pennfylvania and Jer-
fey, from thofe who dwell in Maryland, Vir
ginia, and Carolina. Pennfylvania and New-
Jerfey were fettled by many friends, who
were convinced of our principles in England
in times of fufferings, and coming over,
bought lands of the natives, and applied
themfelves to hufbandry in a peaceable way ;
and many of their children were taught to
labour for their living.
Few friends, I believe, Came from Eng
land to fettle in any of thefe fouthern pro-
vinces; but by the faithful labours of tra
velling friends in early times, there were con
siderable convincements amongft the inhabi
tants of thefe parts. Here I remembered my
reading of the warlike difpofition of many of

of JOHN WOOLMAN. i8i
of the firft fettbrs in thofe provinces, and
-of their numerous engagements with the a-i-
lives, in which much blood was fhed, even
in the infancy of thofe colonies, Thefe peo
ple, inhabiting thofe places, being grounded
in cuftoms contrary to the pure truth, when
fome of them were affeded with the powerr
ful preaching of the Word of Life, and
joined in fellowfhip with our fociety, they
had a great work to go thro'- It is obfervaf
ble in the iHiftory of the Reformation from
Popery, that it had a gradual progrefs from
age to age: The uprightnefs of the firft
reformers, . in attending to the light and un
derftanding given them, opened the "way for
fincere-hearted people to proceed further af
terward; and thus' each one truly fearing
God, and labouring in thofe works of righ
teoufnefs appointed for him in his day,
findeth acceptance with him: Tho', thro'
the darknefs of the times, and the corrupr
tion of manners and cuftoms, fome upright
men may have had little; more for their day's
work than to attend fo the righteous princi
ple in their minds, as it related to their own
condud' in life, without pointing out to
others the whole extent of that, which the
fame principles would lead fucceeding ages
into. Thus for inftance; amongft an impe
rious warlike people, fupported by opprefied
Slaves, fome of thefe mafters, I fuppofe, are
awakened r to feel and fee their error ^ and,
fhro' fincere ; repentance, ceafe from oppref fion,

1 82 The LIFE and TRAVELS
fion, and become like fathers to their fer
vants ; fhewing, by their example, a pat
tern of humility in living, and moderation
in governing, for the inftrudion and admo
nition of their oppreffing neighbours ; thofe
without carrying the reformation further,
I believe have found acceptance 'with the
Lord, Such was the beginning ; and thofe
who fucceeded them, and have faithfully a t-
tended to the nature and fpirit of the re
formation, have feen the neceffity of pro
ceeding forward; and not only fo inftrud
others, by their example, in governing well,
but alfo to ufe means to prevent their fuc-
ceflbrs from having fo much power to op-
prefs others.
Here I was renewedly confirmed in my
mind," that the Lord (whofe tender mercies
are over all his? works, and whofe ear is open
to the cries and groans of the oppreffed) is
gracioufly moving on the hearts of people,
to draw them off from the defire of wealth,
and bring them into fuch an humble, lowly
way of living, that they may fee their way
clearly, to repair to the Standard of true
righteoufnefs ; and not only break the yoke
of oppreffion, but know him to be their
ftrength and fupport in a time of outward
afflidion. We paffing on crofted Chefter-River ; and
had a meeting there, and at Cecil and SaSFa-
fras. Thro' my bodily weaknefsy joined with
a heavy exercife of mind, it was to me an
humbling

of JOHN WOOLMAN. r&3
humhlimg. difpenfation, and I had a very
lively feeling of the ftate of the opprefled ;
yet I often thought, that what I fuffered was
little, compared with the fufFerings of the
blefled Jefus, and many of his faithful fol
lowers ; and may fay with thankfulnefs, I
was made content.
From Saflafras we went pretty diredly
home, where we found our families well ;
and for feveral weeks after our return, I had
often to look over our journey : And tho' to
me it appeared as a fmall fervice, and that
fome faithful meflengers will yet have more
bitter cups, to drink in thofe fouthern pro
vinces for Chrift's fake than we had ; yet I
found peace in that I had been helped to
walk in fincerity, according to the under^
{landing 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 Benjairiiri Jones, I fet out on
a vifit to friends in the upper part of this.
province, having had drawings of love in
my heart that way a confiderable time ; We
travelled as far as Hardwick ; and I had in
ward peace in my labours of love amongft
them. ¦..
Thro' the humbling difpenfations of Di
vine Providence, my mind hath been brought
into a further feeling of the difficulties of
friends and their fervants fouth-weftward ;
and being often /engaged in fpirit on their
account

1 84 fhe LIFE and TRAVELS
account, I believed it my duty to walk into
fome parts of the weftern Shore of Mary
land, on a religious vifit : And having ob
tained a certificate from friends of our month
ly-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 oppofite to
Philadelphia, and from thence walked to
William Home's at Derby that evening; and
next day purfued my journey alone, and
reached Concord week-day meeting.
Difcouragements and a weight of diftrefs
had, at times, attended me in this lonefome
walk ; thro' which afflidions, I was merci
fully preferved : And now fitting down with
friends, my mind was turned toward the
Lord, to wait for his holy leadings : who,
in infinite love, was pleafed to foften my
heart into humble contrition, and did re-
neWedly ftrengthen me to go forward ; that
to me it was a time of heavenly refreshment
in a filent meeting.
The next day I came to New-Garden
week-day meeting, in which I fat with bow
ednefs of fpirit ; and being baptized into a
feeling of the State of fome prefent, the
Lord gave us a heart-tendering feafon ; to
his name be the praife.
I pafledon, and was at Nottingham month
ly-meeting ; and at a meeting at Little Bri
tain on firft-day : And in the afternoon fe
veral friends came tp the houfe where I
lodged,

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 185
lodged, and we had a little afternoon-meet
ing ; and thro' the humbling power of truth,
I had to admire the loving-kindnefs of the
Lord manifefted to us.
On the twenty fixth day, I crofled Suf-
quehannah ; and coming amongft people in
outward eafe and greatnefs, chiefly on the
labour of flaves, my heart was much affed-
ed ; and in awful retirednefs, my mind was
gathered inward to the Lord, being humbly
engaged that in true refignation I might re
ceive inftrudion from him, refpeding my
duty amongft this people.
Tho' travelling on foot was wearifome to
my body; yet thus travelling, was agree
able to the ; ftate of my mind.
I went gently on, being weakly ; and was
covered with forrow and heavinefs,. on ac
count of the fpreading prevailing fpirit .of
this world, introducing cuftoms grievous and
pppreffive on one hand," and cherifhing pride
and wantonnefs on the other. In this lonely
walk, and ftate of abafement and humilia
tion, the ftate of the church in thefe parts
was openedt before me; and I may truly fay
with the prophet, ", I was bowed down at
w the hearing of it ; I was difmayed at the
"feeing of it." Under this exercife,, J at
tended the quarterly-meeting at Gunpow
der ; and, 1 in bowednefs of fpirit, I had to
open, with much plainnefs, what I felt re
fpeding. friends living in fulnefs, on the la
bours of the poor oppreffed negroes ; and
that

1 86 The LIFE and TRAVELS
that promife of the Moft High was now re
vived: " I will gather all nations and
'* tongues ; and they fhall come arid fee my
" glory "  Here the fufferings of Chrift,
and his tafting death for every man, and the
travels, fufferings, and martyrdoms of the
apoftbs, and primitive christians, in labour
ing for the converfion of the gentiles, was
livingly revived in me ; and according to the
meafure of ftrength afforded, I laboured in
fome tendernefs of fpirit, being deeply af-
feded amongft them : And thus the differ
ence between the prefent treatment which
thefe gentiles the negroes receive at our
hands, and the labours of the primitive
christians for the conversion of the gentibsv
was prefled home, and the power of truth
came Oyer us ; under a feeling of which,-
my mind was united to a tender-hearted
people in thofe parts ; and the meeting con
cluded in a fenfe of God's goodnefs toward
his humble dependent children.
The next day was a general meeting fop
worfhip, much crouded; in which I was
deeply engaged in inward eries to fhe Lord
for help, that I might Stand wholly refigned,
and move only as he might ' be pleafed to
lead me :. And I was mercifully helped to la
bour bopeftly and fervently amongft them,
in which I found inward peace ; and the fin-
cere were comforted.
From hence I turned toward Pipe-Creek,
and paffed on to the Red-Lands -fj and had
feveral

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 187
feveral meetings amongft friends in thofe
parts. My heart was often tenderly affed-
ed, under a fenfe of the Lord's goodnefs, in
fandifying my troubles and exercifes, turn
ing them to my comfort, and, I believe, to
the benefit of many others ; for, I may fay
with thankfulnefs, that in this vifit, it ap
peared like a frefh tendering vifitation in
moft places.
I pafled on to the weftern quarterly-meet
ing in Pennfylvania ; during the feveral days
of this meeting, I was mercifully preferved
in an inward feeling after the mind of truth,
and my publick labours tended to my humi
liation, with which I was content : And after
the quarterly-meeting of worfhip ended, I
felt drawings to go tp the women's meet
ing of bufinefs ; which was very full : And
here the humility of Jefus Chrift, as a pat
tern 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 meet
ings at Concord, Middletown, Providence,
and Haddonfield, and fo home; where I
found my family welL A fenfe ofthe Lord's
merciful prefervatiori in this my journey, ex
cites reverent thankfulnefs to him.
: On the fecond day of the ninth month,
1767, with the unity of friends, I fet off
on a vifit to friends in the upper part of
Berks and Philadelphia counties ; was at
eleven meetings in about two weeks ; and
have

1 88 The LIFE and TRAVELS
have renewed caufe to bow in reverence be
fore the Lord, who, by the powerful extend-
ings of his humbling : goodnefs; opened my
way amongft friends, and made the meet
ings (I truft) profitable to us. ^Andthe win
ter following, I joined friends on a vifit to
friends families, in fome part of pur meet"
ing; in which exercife, the pure influence,
of divine love, made our vifits reviving.
On the fifth day of the fifth month, 1 768,
I left home, under the humbling hand of
the Lord, having obtained a certificate, in
order to vifit fome meetings in Maryland;
and to proceed without a horfe looked clear-
eft to me. I was at the quarterly-toeetings at
Philadelphia and Concord; and then went
on to Chefter river; and ctoSfingthe Bay
with friends, was at the yearly-meeting at
Weft-River; thence back to Chefter-River ;
and taking a few meetings in my way, pro*-
ceeded home. It was a journey of much in
ward waiting; and as my eye was to the
Lord, way was, feveral times, . opened to my
humbling admiration, when things had ap
peared very difficult,
In my return, I felt a relief of .mind, very
comfortable to me ; having, thro1 divine help,
laboured in much plainnefs, both with friends '
feleded, and in the more publick meetings :
So that (I truft) the pure witnefs, ; in many
minds, was reached.
The eleventh' day; of the Sixth month,
1769. Sundry cafes have happened of late
years,

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 189
years, within the limits of our monthly-
meeting; refpeding that of exercifing pure
righteoufnefs toward the negroes ; in which
I have lived under a labour of heart, that
equity might be fteadily kept to. On this
account, I have had fome clofe exercifes
amongft friends ; in which, I may thank
fully fay, I find peace : And as my medita
tions have been on univerfal love, my own
condud in time paft, became of late very
grievous to me.
As perfons fetting negroes free in our pro
vince, are bound by law to maintain them,
in cafe they have need of relief ; fome who
ferupled keeping flaves for term of life, in the
time of my youth, were wont to detain
their young negroes in their fervice till thir
ty years of age, without wages, on that ac
count : And with this cuftom I fo far agreed,
that I, being joined to another friend, in
executing the will of a deceafed friend, once
fold a negro lad 'till he might attain the age
of thirty years, and applied the money to
the ufe of the eftate.
With abafement of heart, I may now fay,
that fometimes, as I have fet in a meeting,
with my heart exercifed toward that awful
Being, who refpedeth not perfons nor co
lours, and have looked upon this lad, I have
felt that all was not clear in my mind re
fpeding him : And as I have attended to this
exercife, and frequently fought the Lord, it
hath appeared to me, that I fhould make fome

i go The LIFE and TRAVELS
fome restitution, but in what way I faw not
'till lately ; when being under fome concern»
that I may be refigned to go on a vifit to
fome part of the Weft-Indies ; and under
clofe engagement of fpirit, feekihg to the
Lord for counfel herein : That of my joining
in the fab aforefaid, came heavily upon me ;
and my mind, for a time, was covered with
darknefs and forrow ; and under this fore
afflidion, my heart was foftened to receive
inftrudion: And here I firft faw, that as I
had been one of the two executors, who
had fold this lad nine years longer than is
common for our own children to ferve, fo I
Should now offer a part of my fubftance to
redeem the laft half of that nine years ; but
as the time was not yet come, I executed a
bondt binding me, and my executors, to
pay to the man he was fold to, what to can*
did men might appear equitable, for the
laft four years and a half of his time, in
cafe the faid youth fhould be living, and in a
condition likely to provide comfortably for
himfelf. The ninth day of the tenth month, 1769.
My heart hath often been deeply afflided
under a feeling I have had, that the Stand
ard of pure righteoufnefs, is not lifted up to
the people by us, as a fociety, in that clear-
nefs whbh it might hgve been, had we been
fo faithful to the teachings of Chrift, as we
ought to have been : And as my mind hath
been inward to the Lord, the purity of
Chrift's

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 191
Chrift's government hath been opened in my
underftanding ; and under this exercife, that
of friends being adive in civil fociety, in
putting laws in force which are not agreeable
to the purity of righteoufnefs, hath, for fe
veral years, been an increafing burden upon
me ; having felt, in the opening of univerfal
love, that where a people convinced of the
truth of the inward teachings of Chrift, are
adive in putting laws in execution, which
are not confiftent with pure wifdom, it hath
a necefFary tendency to bring dimnefs over
their minds : And as my heart hath been
thus exercifed, and a tender fympathy in me
toward my fellow members, I have, within a
few months paft, in feveral meetings for
difcipline, exprefled my concern on this
fubjed.

CHAP.

92 The LIFE and TRAVELS
C H A P. X.

tinder fome bodily indifpofition, his body, by ab-
ftinence, much weakened; and his mind, at that
time, exercifed for the good of the people in the
Weft-Indies — —His afterwards communicating to
friends his being refigned to vifit fome of thefe
ifiands—The ftate of his mind, and the clofe con
fiderations he was led into, while .under this ex
ercife— '¦—His preparations to embark, and his con
fiderations on the trade to thefe iflands; and his
being, when the veffel was ready to fail, releafed
from the concern he had been under — His religious
engagements after his return home- — His ficknefs,
in which he was brought to a very low ftate ; and
the profpetls he then had.

TH E twelfth day of the third month,
having, for fome years paft, dieted
myfelf on account of a lump gathering on
my nofe ; under this diet, I grew weak in
body, and not of ability to travel by land
as heretofore : I was at times, favoured to
look with awfulnefs toward the Lord, before
whom are all my ways, who alone hath the
power of life and death ; and to feel thankful
nefs raifed in me, for this his fatherly chaftife
ment, believing, if I was truly humbled un der

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 193
der it, all would work for good. While I
was under this bodily weaknefs, my mind
being, at times, exercifed for my fellow-
creatures in the Weft-Indies, I grew jealous
over myfelf, left the difagreeablenefs of the
profped fhould hinder me from obediently
attending thereto : For tho' I knew not that
the Lord required me to go there ; yet I be
lieved, that refignation was now called for
in that refped : And feeling a danger of not
being wholly devoted to him, . I was fre
quently engaged to watch unto prayer, that
I might be preferved; and upwards of a year
having pafled, I walked; one day in a folitary
wood, my mind being covered with awful
nefs, cries were raifed in me to my merciful
Father, that he would gracioufly keep me in
faithfulnefs ; and it then fettled on my mind
as a duty, to open my condition to. friends
at. our monthly-meeting ; Which I did foon
after, as follows :
." An exercife hath attended me for fome
time paft, and of late been more weighty
upon me ; under which, I believe it is re
quired of me to be refigned to goon a vifit
to fome part of the Weft-Indies :" And in the
quarterly and general fpring meeting, I
found noiclearnefs to exprefs anything fur
ther, than that I believed refignation herein
Was. required of me ; and having obtained
certificates from all faid meetings, I felt like
a fojoiirner at my outward habitation, kept
free from worldly encumbrances, and was
O often

1 94 The LIFE and TRAVELS
often bowed in fpirit before the Lord, with
inward breathings to him, that I might be
rightly direded. And I may here note,; that
what I have before related of my being,
when young, joined as an executor with
another friend, in executing the will of the
deceafed, our having fold a negro lad 'till he
might attain the age of thirty years, was
now the occafion of great forrow to me ; And
after having fettled matters relating to this
youth, I provided a fea-ftore and bed, and
things for the voyage ; and hearing of a
veflel likely to fail from Philadelphia' for Bar
badoes, I fpake with one of the owners at
Burlington, and foon after went to Phila
delphia on purpofe to fpeak with him again:
At which time he told me, there was a friend
in town who was part owner of the faid
veflel ; but I felt no inclination to fpeak with
him, but returned home : And a while after,
I took leave of my family ; and going to, Phi
ladelphia, had fome weighty converfation
with the firft-mentioned owner, and fhewed
him a writing, as follows : . ._ :
** On the twenty-fifth day of the eleventh
month, 1769, as art exercife, with refped
to a vifit to Barbadoes, bath been weighty
on my mind, I may exprefs fome of the
trials which have attended me ; under thefe
trials I have, at times, rejoiced, in;„ that I
have felt my own felf-will fubjeded."s ¦:>{';¦
"I once, fome years < ago, retailed rum*
fugar, and mokffes, the fruits of the labour of

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 191
of flaves ; but then, had not much concern
about them, fave only that the rum might
be ufed in moderation ; nor was this concern
fo weightily attended to, as I now believe it
ought to have been : But of late years being
further informed, refpeding the oppreffions
too generally exercifed in thefe iflands, and
thinking often on the degrees that are irt
connedions of intereft and fellowfhip with
the works of darknefs, Ephe. v. 1 r . And
feeling an increafing concern to be wholly
given up to the leadings of the Holy Spirit,
it hath appeared, that the fmall gain I got
by this branch of trade, fhould be applied
in promoting righteoufnefs on the earth ; and
were the firft motion toward a vifit to Bar
badoes : I believed the outward fubftance I
poffefs fhould be applied in paying my paf-
fage, if I go, and providing things in a low
ly way for my fubfiftance ; but when the
time drew near, in which, I believed it re
quired of me to be in readinefs, a difficulty
arofe, which hath been a continued tryal for
fome months paft ; under which, I have,
with abafement of mind, from day to day,
fought the Lord for inftrudion ; and often
had a feeling of the condition of one for
merly, who bewailed himfelf, for that the
I Lord hid his face from him.  During thefe
exer eifes, my heart hath been often contrite ;
and I have had a tender feeling of the temp
tations of my fellOw-creatUres, labouring un
der thefe expenfive cuftoms diftinguifhabb
O 2 from

196 The LIFE and TRAVELS
from the fimplicity that there is in Chrift, 2
Cor. ii. 3. and fometimes in the renewings of
gofpel love, have been helped to minister td
others." " That which hath fo clofely engaged my
mind, in feeking to the Lord for inftrudion
is, whether, after fo full information of the
oppreffion the flaves in the Weft-Indies lie
under, who raife the Weft-India produce, as
I had in reading a caution and warning to
Great-Britain and her colonies, (wrote by
Anthony . Benezet) it is right for me to take
a paflage in a veflel, employed in the Weft-
India trade ?"
" To trade freely with oppreflbrs, and with
out labouring to difFuade from fuch unkind
treatment, feek for gain by fuch traffick,
tends, I believe, to make them more eafy,
refpeding their condud, than they would
be, if the caufe of univerfal righteoufnefs
was humbly and firmly attended to, by thofe
in general with whom they have commerce;
and that complaint of the Lord by his pro
phet, " They have Strengthened the hands
" of the wicked," hath very often revived
in my mind ; and I may here add fome eir
cumftances preceding any profped of a vi
fit there : The cafe of David hath often been
before me of late years : He longed for fome
water in a well beyond an army of Philif-
tines, at war with Ifrael ; and fome of his
men, to pleafe him, ventured their lives in
paffing thro' this army, and brought that
water." " It

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 197
" It doth not appear*hat the Ifraelites were
then fcarce of water, but rather, that Da
vid gave way to delicacy of tafle ; but hav
ing thought on the danger thefe men were
expofed to, he confidered this water as their
blood, and his heart fmote him that he could
not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord.
And the oppreffion of the flaves, which I
have feen in feveral journies fouthward, on
this continent, and the report of their treat
ment in the Weft-Indies hath deeply affed-
ed me ; and a care to live in the fpirit of
peace, and minifter juft caufe of offence to
none of my fellow-creatures, hath, from
time to time, livingly revived on my mind ;
and under this exercife, I, for fome years
paft, declined to gratify my palate with thofe
fugar?/' " I do not cenfure my brethren in thefe
things ; but believe the Father of mercies,
to whom all mankind by creation are equal
ly related, hath heard the groans of thefe
oppreffed people ; and is preparing foon to
have a tender feeling of their condition ; And
the trading in, or frequent ufe of, any pro
duce known to be raifed by the labours of
thofe who are under fuch lamentable oppref
fion, hath appeared to be a fubjed which
.may yet mpre require the ferious confidera-
tion of the humble followers of Chrift, the
prince of peace,"
" After long and mournful exercife, I am
now free to mention how things have open- ed

198 The LIFE and TRAVELS
ed in my mind, with defires that if it may
pleafe the Lord, to further open his will to
any of his children in this matter, they may
faithfully follow him in fuch further mani-
feftation." " The number of thofe who decline the
ufe of the Weft-India produce, on account of
the hard ufage of the flaves who raife it, ap
pears fmall, even amongft people truly pi
ous; and the labours in chriftian love, on
that fubjed, of thofe who do, not very ex-
tenfive." " Were the trade from this continent to
the Weft-Indies to be quite flopped at once, I
believe many there would fuffer for want of
bread." " Did we on this continent, and the in
habitants of the Weft-Indies generally dwell
in pure righteoufnefs, I believe a fmall trade
between us might be right : That under thefe
confiderations, when the thoughts of wholly
declining the ufe of trading veffels, and of
trying to hire a veflel to go under ballaft
have arofe in my mind, I have believed that
the labours in gofpel love, yet beftowed in
the caufe of univerfal righteoufnefs, are not
arrived to that height."
" If the trade to the Weft-Indies were no
more than was confiftent with pure wifdom,
I believe the paffage-money would, for good
reafons be higher than it is now ; and here,
under deep exercife of mind, I have believed,
that I Should not take the advantage of this
great trade, and fmall paffage-money^; but as

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 199
as a teftimony in favour of lefs trading,
Should pay more than is common for others
to pay, if I go at this time."
The firft-mentioned owner having read
the paper, expreffed a willingnefs to go with
me to the other owner ; and we going, the
faid other owner read over the paper, and
we had fome folid converfation ; under
which, I felt my foul bowed in reverence
before the Moft High : And at length, one
of them afked me; if I would go and fee the
veffel ? But I had not elearnefs in my mind
to go ; but went to my lodgings, and re
tired in private.
I was now under great exercife of mind ;
and my tears were poured out before the
Lord, with inward cries, that he would gra-
cioufly help me under thefe trials.
In this cafe, I believe my mind was re
figned, but did not feel elearnefs to pro
ceed ; and my own weaknefs, and the necef-
fity of divine inftrudion, was impreffed up
on me.
I was, for a time, as one who knew not
what to do, and was tofled as in a tempeft ;
under which afflidion, the dodrine of Chrift
" Take no thought for the morrow," arofe
livingly before me. I remembered it was:
fome days before they expeded the veflel to
fail, and was favoured to get into a good
degree of ftillnefs ; and having been near
two days in town, I believe my obedience to
my heavenly Father confifted in returning home-

200 The LIFE and TRAVELS
homeward ; and then I went over amongft
friends on the Jerfey fhore, and tarried 'till
the morning on which they had appointed
to fail : And as I lay in bed the latter part
of that night, my mind was comforted ; and
I felt what I efteemed a frefh confirmation,
that it was the Lord's will, that I fhould pafs
thro' fome further exercifes near home,
So I went home, and ftill felt like a fo-?
journer with my family : And in the frefh
fpring of pure love, had fome labours in a
private way amongft friends, on a fubjed
relating to truth's teftimony ; under which,
I had freqently been exercifed in heart for
fome years. I remember, as I walked on the
road under this exercife, that paffage in Eze
kiel came frefh before me : " Whitherfoever
" their faces were turned, thither they went."
and I was gracioufly helped to difeharge my
duty, in the fear and dread of the Almigh
ty- After a few weeks, it pleafed the Lord to
vifit me with a pleurify ; and after I had
lain a few days, and felt the diforder very
grievous, I was thoughtful how it might
end, I had of late, thro' various exercifes,
been much weaned from the pleafant things
of this life; and I now thought, if it was^
the Lord's will to put an end to my labours,
^.nd gracioufly receive me into the arms of
|iis mercy, death would he acceptable to me :
but

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 201
but if it was his will to farther refine me
under afflidion, and make me in any de
gree, ufeful in his church, I defired not to
die. I may, with thankfulnefs, fay, that
in this cafe I felt refignednefs wrought in
me, and had no inclination to fend for a
dodor; believing, if it was the Lord's will,
thro' outward means, to raife me up, fome
fympathizing friends would be fent to mini
ster to me; which were accordingly: But
tho' I was carefully attended, yet the dis
order was, at times, fo ., heavy, that I had
no thoughts of recovery: One night in par
ticular, my bodily diftrefs was great; my feet
grew cold, and cold increafed up my legs
toward my body ; and at that time, I had
no inclination to afk my nurfe to apply any
thing warm to my feet, expeding my end
was near: And after I had lain near ten hours
in this condition, I clofed my eyes, thinking
whether I might now be delivered out of the
body ; but in thefe awful moments, my
mind was livingly opened to behold the
church ; and ftrong engagements were be
gotten in me, for the everlafting well-being
of my fellow-creatures : And I felt, in the
fpring of pure love, that I might remain
fome time longer in the bpdy, in filling up,
according to my meafure, that which re
mains of the afflidions of Chrift, and in la
bouring for the good of the church ; after
which, I requested my nurfe to apply warmth
to my feet; and I revived: And the next
night,

202 The LIFE and TRAVELS
night, feeling a weighty exercife of fpirit,
and having a folid friend fitting up with me,
I requefted him to write what I faid ; which
he did, as follows :
" Fourth day of the firft month, 1770,
about five in the morning. — I have feen in
the Light of the Lord, that the day is ap
proaching, when the man that is the moft
wife in human policy, fhall be the greateft
fool ; and the arm that is mighty to fupport
injustice, fhall be broken to pieces : The ene
mies of righteoufnefs fhall make a terrible
rattle, and fhall mightily torment one ano
ther ; for He that is omnipotent is rifing up
to judgment, and will plead the caufe of the
oppreffed; and he commanded me to open
the vifion."
Near a week after this, feeling my mind
livingly opened, I fent for a neighbour, who,
at my requeft, wrote as follows :
" The place of prayer is a precious habi^
tation ; for I now faw that the prayers of
the faints were precious incenfe : And a trum
pet was given me, that I might found forth
this language; that the children might hear
it, and be invited together to this precious
habitation, where the prayers of the faints,
as precious incenfe, arife up before the
throne of God and the Lamb — I faw this
habitation to be fafe ; to be inwardly quiet,
when there were great ftirrings and commo
tions in the world." " Prayer,

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 203
# Prayer, at this day, in pure refignation,
is a precious place : The trumpet is founded,
the call goes forth to the church, that fhe
gather to the place of pure inward prayer ;
and her habitation is fife.

C H A P. XI.
His preparing to vifit friends in England — i — His
embarking at Chefter, in company with Samuel
Emlen, in a jhip bound to London  His deep
exercife, in obferving the difficulties and hard-
Jhips the common Jailors are expofed to  Confi
derations on the dangers to which youth are ex
pofed, in being trained to a fea-faring life ; and
its inconfifiency with a pious education  His
thoughts in a ftorm at fea : With maw inftruc-
tive contemplations on the voyage  -And his ar
rival at London.
HAVING been fome time under a reli
gious concern to prepare for croffing
the feas, in order to vifit friends in the north
ern parts of England, and more particularly
in Yorkfhire : After weighty confideration, I
thought it expedient to inform friends, at our
monthly-

204 The LIFE and TRAVELS
monthly-meeting at Burlington, of it ; who
having unity with me therein, gave me a
certificate; and I afterwards communicated
the fame to our quarterly-meeting, and they
likewife certified their concurrence therewith.
Some time after which, at the general fpring-
rneeting of ministers and elders, I thought
it my duty to acquaint them of the religious
exercife which attended my mind ; with
which, they likewife fignified their unity by
a certificate, dated the twenty-fourth day of
the third month, 1772, direded to#friends
in Great-Britain.
In the fourth month following, I thought
the time was come for me to make fome en
quiry for a fuitable conveyance ; being ap-
prehpnfive, that as my concern was princi
pally toward the northern parts of England,
it would be moft proper to go in a veffel
bound to Liverpool or Whitehaven : And
while I was at Philadelphia, deliberating on
this occafion, I was informed, that my belov
ed friend Samuel Emlen, jun. intended to
go to London ; and had taken a paffage
for himfelf in the cabbin of the fhip, called
Mary and Elizabeth, of which James Sparks
was mafter, and John Head, of the city of
Philadelphia, one of the owners ; and I feel
ing a draft in my mind toward the fleerage
of the fame fhip, went firft and opened to
Samuel the feeling I had concerning it.
My beloved friend wept when I fpake to
him, and appeared glad that I had thoughts of

of J O H N W O O L M A N. 205
of going in the veflel with him, tho' my
profped was toward the fleerage ; and he
offering to go with me, we went on board,
firft into the cabbin, a commodious room,
and then into the fleerage ; where we fat
down on a cheft, the failors being bufy
about us : Then the owner of the fhip came,
and fat down with us.
Here my mind was turned toward Chrift,
the heavenly counfellor ; and I feeling, at
this time, my own will fubjeded, my heart
was contrite before him.
A motion was made by the owner, to go
and fet in the cabbin, as a place more re
tired ; but I felt eafy to leave the fhip, and
made no agreement as to a paffage in her ;
but told the owner, if I took a paffage in the
fhip, I believed it would be in the fleerage ;
but did not fay much as to my exercife in
that cafe.
After I went to my lodgings, and the cafe
was a little known in town, a friend laid be
fore me the great inconvenience attending a
paffage in th$ fleerage; which, for a time
appeared very difeouraging to me.
I foon after went to bed, and my mind
was under a deep exercife before the Lord ;
whofe helping hand was manifefted to me
as I flept that night, and his love ftrengthen-
ed my heart : And in the morning, I went
with two friends on board the veffel again ;
and after a fhort time fpent therein, I went
with Samuel Emlen to the houfe of the
owner ;

206 The LIFE and, TRAVELS
owner; to whom, in the hearing of Samuel
only, I opened my exercife, in fubftance as
follows, in relation to a fcruple I felt with
regard to a paffage in the cabbin.
I told the owner, that on the outfide of
that part of the fhip where the cabbin was,
I obferved fundry forts of carved Work and
imagery ; and that in the cabbin I obferved
fome Superfluity of workmanfhip of feveral
forts ; and that according to the ways of
men's reckoning, the fum of money to be.
paid for a paffage in that apartment, hath
fome relation to the expence in furnifhing it
to pbafe the minds of fuch who gave way to
a conformity to this world ; and that in this
cafe, as in other cafes, the monies received
from the paflengers, are calculated to anfwer
every expence relating to their paffage, and
amongft the reft of thefe fuperfluities : And
that in this cafe, I felt a fcruple with regard
to . paying my money to defray fuch ex-
pences. As my mind was now opened, I told the
owner, that I had, at feveral times, in my
travels, feen great oppreffions on this conti
nent; at which my heart had been much
affeded, and brought into a fefeling of the
State of the fufferers. And having many
times been engaged; in the fear and love of
God, to labour With thofe under Whom the
oppreffed have been borne down and afflid-
ed; I have often perceived, that a view to
get riches, and provide eftates for children, to

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 207
to live comfoalable to cuftoms, which ftand
in that fpirit wherein men have regard to
the honours of this world — that in the pur
fuit of thefe things, I had feen many entan
gled in the fpirit of oppreffion ; and the ex
ercife of my foul had been fUch, that I could
not find peace, in joining in arty thing which
I faw was againfl that wifdom which is
pure. After this, I agreed for a paflage in the
fleerage ; and hearing in town that Jofeph
White had a defire to fee me, I felt the
reviving of a defire to fee him, and went
then to his houfe, and next day home ; where
I tarried two nights : And then early in the
morning, I parted with my family, under a
fenfe of the humbling hand of God upon
me; and going to Philadelphia, had oppor
tunity with feveral of my beloved friends ;
Who appeared to be concerned for me, on
account of the unpleafant fituation of that
part of the veflel, where I was likely to
lodge. In thefe opportunities, my mind, thro' the
mercies of the Lord, was kept low, in an
inward Waitirig for his help; and friends
having exprefled their defire, that I might
have a place more convenient than the fleer
age, did not urge, but appeared difpofed to
leave me to the Lord.
; Having flayed two nights, in Philadelphia,
I went the next day to Derby monthly-meet
ing ; where thro' the ftrength of divine love,

208 The LIFE and TRAVELS
love, my heart was enlarged toward the
youth then prefent ; under which I was
helped to labour in fome tendernefs of fpi
rit. Then lodging at William Home's, I,
with one friend, went to Chefter ; where
meeting with Samuel Emlen, we went on
board the firft day of the fifth month, 1 772 :
And as I fat down alone, on a feat on the
deck, I felt a fatisfadory evidence, that my
proceedings were not in my own will, but
under the power of the crofs of Chrift.
Seventh day of the fifth month : Have had
rough weather, moftly fince I came on
board; and the paffengers, James Reynolds,
John Till- Adams, Sarah Logan and her
hired maid, and John Bifpham, all fea-fick,
more or lefs, at times ; from which ficknefs,
thro' the tender mercies of my heavenly Fa
ther, Ihave been preferved : My afflictions
now being of another kind.
There appeared an opennefs in the minds
of the mafter of the. fhip and. in the cabbin
paffengers toward me ; we Were often toge
ther on the deck, and fometimes in the cab
bin. ..::.'
My mind, thro' the merciful help of the
Lord, hath been preferved in a good degree
Watchful, and inward; and I have, this day,
great caufe to be thankful, in that I remain
to feel quietnefs of mind.
. As my lodging in the fleerage, now near
a week, hath afforded me fundry opportu-c
nities of feeing, hearing, and feeling, with
refped

of J O H N W O O L M A N. 209
refped to the life and fpirit of many poor
failors : An inward exercife of foul hath at
tended me, in regard to placing out children
and youth where they may be likely to be
exampled and inftruded in the pure fear of
the Lord; and I being much amongft the
.feamen, have from a motion of love, fundry
times taken opportunities, with one of them
at a time alone ; and in a free converfation,
laboured to turn their minds toward the fear
of the Lord : And this day we had a meet
ing in the cabbin, where my heart was con
trite under a feeling of divine love.
Now concerning lads being trained up as
feamen : I believe a communication from one
part of the world to fome other parts of it,
by fea, is, at times, confiftent with the will
of our heavenly Father, and to educate fome
youth in the pradice of failing, I believe
may be right : But how lamentable is the
prefent corruption of the world ! How im
pure are the channels thro' which trade hath
a conveyance ! How great is that danger, to
which poor lads are now expofed, when
placed on Shipboard to barn the art of fail
ing? Five lads, training up for the feas, were
now on board this fhip ; two of them brought
, up amongft our fociety ; one of which hath
a right amongft friends, by name James
Nailor, to whofe father James Nailor, men
tioned in Sewel's hiftory, appears to have
been uncle. P I often

2 1 o The LIFE and TRAVELS
I often feel a tendernefs of heart "toward
thefe poor lads ; and, at times, look at them
as tho' they were my children according
to the flefh.
O that all may take heed arid beware of
covetorifriefs ! O that ail may learn of Chrift,
who was meek and low of heart ! Then in
faithfully following him, he will teach us 'to
be co'nf en't with fodd and raiment, WithouT. re
fped fo the customs or hdnOurs of this world.
Men thus redeemed, will feel a tender eOrt-
Cern for their fellow-creatures, and a 'defire
that thofe itt the loWeft flations rnay be affift-
ed and encouraged; ^and Where owners of
fhips attain to .the perfed law of liberty, ana
are dOers of the word, thefe will be bbffed
m, their deeds.
A fhip at fea CommOnry fails all night,
arid the feamen take their watches four hours
at a time.
Rifirig to work in the night, is not com
monly pleafant in any caTe ; but in dark
rainy nights it is very difagreeable, even
tho' each man were fUrnifhed with all
converiiencies : But if men muft lgd out at
midnight to help to manage the fhip in the
rain, and having fmall room to 'fleep and lay
their garments in, are often befet to fUrnifh
themfelves for the watch ; their garments or
fome thing relating to their bufinefs being.
Wanting, and not eafily found ; when from
the urgency occasioned by 'high winds, they
are haftened and called up Suddenly : Here is a
trial

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 21 r
trial of patience on the poor iailors, and the
poor lads their companions.
If after they have been on deck feveral
hours in the night, and come down into the
fleerage foking Wet, and are fo clofe flowed
that proper convenience for change of gar
ment is not eafily come at, but for want of
proper room their wet garments thrown in
heaps, and fometimes, thro' much crowd
ing, are trodden under foot, in going to
their lodgings and getting out of them, and
great difficulties, at times, each one to find
his own : Here are trials on the poor failors.
Now as I have been with them in my
lodge, my- heart hatrf often yearned for
them; andrtender defires been raifed in me,
that all owners and mafters of veffels may
dwell in the love of God, and therein act
uprightly ; and by Seeking lefs for gain, and
looking carefully to their ways, may ear
neftly labour to remove all caufe of provoca
tion from the poor feamen, either to fret or
ufe excefs of itrong drink ; for, indeed, the
poor creatures, at times, in the wet and cold,
feem to "apply to ftrong drink to fupply
the want of other convenbnce.
Great reformation in the world is want
ing, and the neceffity of it, amongft thefe
who do bufinefs 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
P 2 ftrong

212 The LIFE and TRAVELS
ftrong from fouth-eaftward, and before noofi!
increafed to that degree that failing appeared
dangerous : The feamen then bound up fome
of their fails, and took down fome ; and the
ftorrri increafing, they put the dead lights,
fo called, into the cabbin-windows, and
lighted a lamp as at night.
The wind now blew vehemently, and the
fea wrought to that degree, that an awful fe-
rioufnefs prevailed in the cabbin, in which
I fpent, I believe, about feventeen hours ;
for I believed the poor wet toiling feamen,
had need of all the room in the crouded
fleerage, and the cabbin paffengers had given
me frequent invitations.
They ceafed now from failing ; and put
the veflel in the pofture, called lying-to.
My mind in this tempeft, thro' the gra
cious affiftance of the Lord, was preferved
in a good degree of refignation ; and I felt,
at times, a few words in his love to my
Ship-mates, in regard to the all-fufficiency
of Him who formed the great deep, and
whofe care is fo extenfive, that a fparrow
falls not without his notice : And thus in a
tender frame of mind, fpake to them of the
neceflity of our yielding, in true obedience,
to the inftrudions of our heavenly Father,
who fometimes, thro' adverfities, intend-
eth our refinement,
About eleven at night, I went out on the
deck, when the fea wrought exceedingly, and
the high foaming waves, all round about, had

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 213
had in fome fort the appearance of fire ; but
did not give much, if any light.
The failor, then at the helm, faid, he
lately faw a corpofant at the head of the
maft. About this time I obferved the mafter of
the fhip ordered the carpenter to keep on the
deck ; and tho' he faid little, I apprehended
his care was, that the carpenter with his axe
might be ip readinefs, in cafe of any extre
mity. Soon after this, the vehemency of the
wind abated ; and before morning, they
again put the fhip under fail.
The tenth day of the month, and firft
of the week, it being fine weather, we had
a meeting in the cabbin, at which moft of
the feamen were prefent : This meeting to me
was a ftrengthening time.
The thirteenth day of the month. As I
continue to lodge in the fleerage, I feel an
opennefs this morning, to exprefs fomething
further of the ftate of my mind, in refped to
poor lads bound apprentice to learn the art of
failing. As I believe failing is of fome ufe in
the world, a labour of foul attends me, that
the pure counfel of truth may be humbly
waited for in this cafe, by all concerned in
the bufinefs of the feas,
A pious father, whofe mind is exercifed
for the everlafting welfare of his child, may
pot, with a peaceable mind, place him out
to an employment amongft a people, whofe
commoq

214 The LIFE and TRAVELS
common courfe of life is manifestly corrupt
and prophane ; fo great is the prefent defed
amongft fea-faring men, in regard to piety
and virtue: And thro' an abundant trasf-
fick, and many Ships of war, fo many peo
ple are employed on the fea, that this fubjed
of placing lads to the employment appears
very weighty.
Prophane exampbs are very corrupting,
and very forcible. And as my mind, day
after day, and night after night, hath been
affeded with a fympathizing tendernefs to
ward poor children, put to the employment
of failors, I have fometimes had weighty
converfation with the failors in the fleerage,
who were moftly refpedful to me, and more
arid more fo the longer I was with them :
They moftly appeared to take kindly what I
faid to tjhem ; but their minds have appeared
to be fo deeply impreffed with that almoft
univerfal depravity atoongft failors, that the
poor creatures in their anfwers to me on
this fubjed, have revived in my remem
brance, that of the degenerate Jews a little
before the captivity, as repeated by Jeremiah
the prophet, " There is no hope."
Now under this exercife, a fenfe of the
defire of outward gain prevailing amongft
us, hath felt grievous ; and a ftrong call to
the profeffed followers of Chrift, hath been
raifed in me; that all may take heed, left,
thro' loving this prefent world, they be
found in a continued negbd of duty, with
refped

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 215
refped ta a faithful labour for a reformati
on, 'dtii
Silence, as to every motion proceeding
from the love of money, and an humble
waiting upon Gpd, to kqow his will con
cerning us, hath now appeared neceffary :
He alone is abb to Strengthen us to, dig deep,
to remove all which lies between us and the
fafe foundation, and fo dired us in our out
ward employments, that pure univerfal love
may Shine forth in our proceedings.
Defires arifing from the fpirit of truth,
are pure defires ; and when a mind, < divinely
opened, toward a young generation, is made
fenfibb of corrupting exampbs, powerfully
working, and extenfively fpreading amongf^
them, how moving is the profped !
A great trade tp the eoaft of Africa for
Slaves ; of which I now heard frequent conT
yerfation among the failors !
A great trade in that which is raifed and
prepared thro' grievous pppreffiqn!
A great trade in fuperfluity pf workman?
Ship, .formed to pleafe the pride and vanity
of people's minds !
Great and extenfive is that depravity,
which, prevails amongft the poor failors !
When I remember that faying of the Moft
High, thro' his prophet, " This people
*' have J formed for myfelf; they fhall Shew
" forth my^ praife:" And think of placing
children amongft them, fo barn the pradice
pf failing, the confiftency of it with a pious
educa-

216 The LIFE and TRAVELS
education, feems to me like that mentioned
by the prophet, " There is no anfwer from
" God."In a world of dangers and difficulties, like
a defolate thorny wildernefs, how precious !
how comfortable ! how fafe ! are the lead
ings of Chrift, the good fhepherd ; who
faid, " I know my fheep ; and am known of
mine." The fixteenth day of the month. Wind
for feveral days paft often high, what the
failors call fqually, rough fea and frequent
rains. This laft night a very trying night
to the poor feamen ; the water, chief part of
the night, running over the main deck, and
fometimes breaking waves came on the quar
ter deck. The latter part of the night, as I
lay in bed, my mind was hurribled under
the power of divine love ; and refignednefs
to the great Creator of the earth and the
feas, reriewedly wrought in me, whofe fa
therly care over his children felt precious to
my foul : And defires were now renewed in
me, to embrace every opportunity of .being
inwardly acquainted with the hardfhips and
difficulties of my fellow-creatures," and to
labour in his love for the fpreading pf pure
univerfal righteoufnefs on the earth. " The
opportunities being frequent of hearing con
verfation amongft the failors, in refped to
the voyages to Africa, and the manner of
bringing, the deeply oppreffed flaves into our
iflands. The thoughts of their condition,
frequently in chains and fetters on board thp
veffels,

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 217
veffels, with hearts loaded with grief, under
the apprehenfions of miferabb flavery ; my
mind was frequently opened to meditate on
thefe things.
On the feventeenth day of the month, and
firft of the week, we had a meeting in the
cabbin ; to which the feamen generally came.
My fpirit was contrite before the Lord ;
whofe love, at this time, affeded my heart.
This afternoon I felt a tender fympathy of
foul, with my poor wife and family left be
hind ; in which ftate, my heart was en
larged in defires, that they may walk in that
humble obedience wherein the everlafting
Father may be their guide and fupport, thro'
all the difficulties in this world ; and a fenfe
of that gracious affiftance, thro' which my
mind hath been ftrengthened to take up the
crofs and leave them, to travel in the love
of truth, hath begotten thankfulnefs in my
heart to our great Helper.
On the twenty-fourth day of the month,
and 'firft of the week, a clear pleafant morn
ing: And as Ifaton deck, I felt a reviving
in my nature ; which, thro' much rainy
weather, and high winds, being fhut up in
a clofe unhealthy air, was weakened.
Several nights of late I felt breathing dif
ficult ; that a little after the rifing of the
fecond watch (which is about midnight) I
got up, and flood, I believe, near an hour,
with my face near the hatchway, to get the
frefh air at the fmall vacancy under the
hatch

2 1 8 The. LIFE and TRAVELS
hatch door ; which is commonly fhut down,
partly to keep out rain, and Sometimes tq
keep the breaking waves from dafhing into
the fleerage.
I may, with thankfulnefs to the Father
of mercies,' acknowledge, that in my pre
fent weak ftate, my mind hath been fupport-
ed to bear the afflidion with patience ; and
have looked at the prefent difpenfation as a
kindnefs from the great Father of mankind,
who, in this my floating pilgrimage, is in
fome degree bringing me to feel that, which
many thoufands of my fellow-creatures of
ten fuffer in a greater degree.
My appetite failing, the tryal hath been
the heavier ; and I have felt tender breath
ings in my foul after God, the fountain pf
comfort, whofe inward help hath Supplied,
at times, the want of outward convenience i
And ftrong defires have attended me, that his
family, who are acquainted with the mpy-
ings of his Holy Spirit, may be fo redeemed
from the love of money, and from that fpi
rit in which men feek honour one of anoT
ther ; that in all bufinefs, by fea or land,
we may conftantly keep in view the coming
of his kingdom on earth, as it is in heaven ;
and by faithfully following this fafp guide,
fhew forth exampbs, tending to bad put pf
that under which the creation groans !
This day we had a meeting in the cabbin ;
in which I was favoured in fome degree to
experience the fulfilling of that faying of
thg

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 219
the prophet, " The Lord hath been a ftrength
" to the poor, a flrength to the needy in
" their diftrefs;" for which, my heart is
bowed in thankfulnefs before him.
The twenty-eighth day of the month :
Wet weather of late, fmall winds inclining
to calms ; our feamen have caft a bad, I fup
pofe about one hundred fathom, but find no
bottom : Foggy weather this morning.
Thro' the kindnefs of the great Pre-
ferver of men, my mind remains quiet ; and
a degree of exercife, from day to day, at
tends me, that the pure peaceable govern
ment of Chrift may fpread and prevail
aniongft mankind.
The leading on of a young generation, in
that pure way, in which the wifdom of this
world hath no place : Where parents and tu
tors, humbly waiting for theheavenly Coun-
fellor, may example them in the truth, as it
is in Jefus. This, for feveral days, hath
been the exercife of my mind ; O how fafe,
how quiet is that ftate, where the foul ftands
in pure obedience to the voice of Chrift, and
a watchful care is maintained, not to follow
the voice of the Stranger !
' Here Chrift is felt to be our fhepherd ; and
under his leading, people are brought to a
liability : And where he doth not bad for
ward, we are bound in the bonds of pure
love, to ftand ftill and wait upon him. In
the love of money, and in the wifdonr of
this world, bufinefs is propofed, then the
urgency

220 The LIFE and TRAVELS
urgency of affairs pufh forward ; nor can the
mind, in this ftate, difcern the good and per-
fed will of God concerning us.
The love of God is manifefted, in graci
oufly calling us to come out of that which
ftands in confufion ; but :if we bow not in
the name of Jefus ; if we give not up thofe
profpeds of gain, which in the wifdom of
this world, are open before us, but fay in
our hearts, I muft needs go on ; and in go
ing on, 1 hope to keep as near to the purity
of truth, as the bufinefs before me will ad
mit of . Here the mind remains entangled,
and the fhining of the light of life into the
foul is obftruded.
This query opens in my mind in the love
of Chrift, Where fhall a pious father place
his fon apprentice, to be inftruded in the
pradice of croffing the feas ; and have faith
to believe, that Chrift, our holy Shepherd,
leads him to place his fon there ?
Surely the Lord calls to mourning and
deep humiliation, that in his fear we may
be inftruded, and led fafely on thro' the
great difficulties and perplexities in this pre-.
fent age.
In an entire fubjedion of our wills, the
Lord gracioufly opens a way for his people,
where , all their wants are bounded by his
wifdorn ; and here we experience the fub
ftance of what Mofes the prophet figured out
in the water of feparation, as a purification
from fin. Efau

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 221
Efau, is mentioned as a child red all over,
like a hairy garment : In Efau is reprefented
the natural will of man. In preparing the
water of feparation, a red heifer without
blemifh, on which there had been no yoke,
was to be flain, and her blood fprinkbd by
the prieft feven times toward the tabernacle
of the congregation: Then her fkin, her
flefh, and all pertaining to her, was to be
burnt without the camp ; and of her afhes
the water was prepared. Thus the crucify
ing the old man, or natural will, is repre
fented : And hence comes a feparation from
that carnal man, which is death.
" He who toucheth the dead body of a
" man, and purifieth not himfelf with the
" water of feparation, he defileth the taber-
" nacle of the Lord; he is unclean." Numb.
xix. 13.
If any thro' the love of gain, go forth
into bufinefs, wherein they dwell as a-
mongft the tombs, and touch the bodies of
thofe who are dead : If thefe, thro' the in
finite love of God, feel the power of the
crofs of Chrift to crucify them to the world,
and therein learn humbly to follow the di
vine leader : — Here is the judgment of this
world — here the prince of this world is caft
out. The water of feparation is felt ; and tho'
, we have been amongft the flain, and thro'
the defire of gain have touched the dead bo
dy of a man ; yet in the purifying love of
Chrift

222 The LIFE and TRAVELS
Chrift, we are wafhed in the water of fepa*
ration, are brought off from that bufinefs,,
from that gain, and from that fellowfhip,
which was not agreeable to his holy wilh
And I have felt a renewed confirmation in
the time of this voyage, that the -Lord, in
bis infinite love, is calling to his vifited rchil-
dren, fo to give up all outward poffeffions,
and means of getting treafures, that his Ho
ly Spirit -may have free courfe in their hearts,
and dired them in all their proceedings.
To feel the fubftance pointed at in this
figure, man muft know death, as to his own
will. " No man can fee God and live :' This
was fpoken by the Almighty to Mofes the
prophet ; and opened by our bbffed Re
deemer. . , -¦•
As death comes on our own wills, and a
new lifers formed in us, the heart is purified,
and prepared to underftand clearly. " Bleff-
" ed are the pure in heart, for they fhall
" fee *Go.d." In purity of heart, the mind is
divinely opened to behold the nature of uni
verfal righteoufnefs, or the righteoufnefs of
the -kingdom of God. " No man hath feen
" the Father, fave he that is of God; he
" hath feen the Father."
The natural mind is adive about the
things of this life; and in this natural adi-
vity, bufinefs is propofed, and a will in us
to go forward in it. And as long as this na
tural will remains unfubjeded, fo .-long there
remains

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 223
remains an obstruction againfl the elearnefs
of divine light Operating in us ; but when
We fove God with all our heart, and with
all our ftrength, then, in this lOve, we love
our neighbours as ourfelves ; and a tender
nefs of heart is felt toward all people for
whom Chrift died, even fuch who as to out
ward eircumfta>nces may be to us as the Jews
Were to the Samaritans. Who is my neigh
bour r See this queftion anfwered by our Sa
viour, Luke x. 30.
In this love we can fay, that Jefus is the
Lord; and the reformation in our fouls, ma-
'nifdfted 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 defire
of gain is fubjeded.
When 'employment is honeftly followed in
'the light of truth ; and people become dili
gent in bufinefs, " fervent in fpirit ; Serving
" the Lord :" Rom. xii. 1 1 . Here the name
is opened : " This is the name by Which he
" fhall be exiled, THE LORD OUR
" R I G H T $ O U S N E S &" Jer. xxiii. 6.
Oh, how precious is -this natae ! It is like
ointmeftt pprired out. The chafte virgins are
in love with the Redeemer ; and for the pro-
tooting his peaceable kingdom in the world,
are content to' endure hardnefs like good fol
diers; and are -fo feparated in fpirit, from
the defire of riches, that in their employ
ments they become extenfively careful to give
none offence, neither to Jews nor Heathen,
rior the church of Chrift. On

224 The LIFE and TRAVELS
On the thirty-firft day of the month, and*
firft of the week, we had a meeting in the
cabbin, with near all the fhip's company;
the whole being near thirty. In this meet
ing the Lord, in mercy, favoured us with
the extendings of his love.
The fecond day of the fixth month. Laft
evening the feamen found bottom at about
feventy fathom.
This morning fair wind, and pbafant :
And as I fat on deck, my heart was over
come with the love of Chrift, and melted in
to contrition before him : And in this ftate,
the profped of that work, to which I have
felt my mind drawn when in my native
land, being in fome degree opened before
me, I felt like a little child ; and my cries
were put up to my heavenly Father for pre-
fervation, that in a humble dependence on
him, my foul may be ftrengthened in his
love, and kept inwardly waiting for his
counfel. This afternoon we faw that part of Eng^-
land called the Lizard.
Some dunghil fowls yet remained of thofe
the paffengers took for their fea-ftore : I be
lieve about fourteen perifhed in the Storms
at fea, by the waves breaking over the quar
ter-deck ; and a confiderable number with
ficknefs, at different times.  1 obferved the
cocks crew coming down the Delaware, and
while we were near the land ; but after
ward, I think, I did not hear one of them crow

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 225
crow 'till we came near the land in England,
when they again crowed a few times.
In obferving their dull appearance at fea,
and the pining ficknefs of fome of them, I
often remembered the fountain of goodnefs,
who gave being to all creatures, and whofe
love extends to that of caring for the fpar-
rOWs ; and believe, where the love of God is
verily perfeded, and the true fpirit of go
vernment watchfully attended to, a tender
nefs toward all creatures made fubjed fo us
will be experienced ; arid a care felt in us, that
we do not bfferi that fweetriefs of life, in
the animal creation, which the great Creator
intends for them under our government.
The fourth day of the month. Wet wea
ther, high winds, and fo dark that we could
fee but a little way. I perceived our feamen
were apprehenfive of danger of miffing the
channel"; wnieh, I uriderffood, was narrow.
Irt a while, it greW lighter; and they faw the
land, and they knew where we were. Thus.
the Father of mercies- was- pleafed to try us
With the fight? of dangers ; and then graci
oufly, from time to time, deliver from them:
Thus fparirig-our lives, that in humility arid
reverence, we'1 may 'Walk' before him, and
put our truft in him. :
About noon a pilot came off from Dover;
where- my beloved friend Samuel Emlen went
O on

226 The LIFE and TRAVELS
on Shore, and thence to London, about feven-*
ty-two miles by land ; but I felt eafy in Stay
ing in the fhip.
The feventh day of the month, and firfi
of the week. Clear morning, 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 falvation thro'
Chrift.— Had a head wind up the Thames ;
lay fometimes at anchor ; faw many Ships
paffing, and fome at anchor near; and had
large opportunity . of feeling the fpirit in
which the poor bewildered failors too gene
rally live.— That lamentable degeneracy, which
fo much prevails on the people employed
on the feas, fo affeded my, heart", that I
may not eafily convey the feeling I have had
to" another.
Hi'.'
The prefent State of the Sea-faring life in
general, appears fpoppofite to that, of a pi
ous education ; fo full pf corruption, and
extreme alienation from God ; "fo full of ex-*
amples, the moft dangerous to young peo
ple, that in looking toward a young genera,-.
tion, I feel a care for them, that they, may
have an education different from the prefent
education of lads at fea ; and that all of us,
who are acquainted with the pure gofpel fpi
rit, may lay this cafe to heart,frmay remem
ber the lamentable corruptions; ; which at
tend the conveyance of merchandize acrofs the

of J O H N WOOLMAN. 227
the feas, and fo abide in the love of Chrift,
that being delivered from the love of mo
ney, from the entangling expences of a cu
rious, delicate luxurious life, we may learn
contentment with a little ; and promote
the fea-faring life no further, than that fpi
rit, which leads into all truth, attends us in
our proceedings.

CHAP. XII.
His attending the yearly-meeting in London ; and
after it, proceeding towards Torkfhire, vifiting
Several quarterly and other meetings in the coun
ties of Hertford, Warwick, Oxford, Nottingham^
York, and Weftmoreland ; and thence again into
Torkfhire, and to the city of Tork ; with fome
inftrutlive thoughts and obfervations, and letters
on divers fubjecls  His hearing of the deceafe
of William Hunt ; and fome account of him 
His ficknefs at Tork ; and end of his pilgrimage
there.
ON the eighth day of the fixth month,
1772, we landed at London; and I
went ftraightway to the yearly-meeting of
Q, 2 ministers

?2§ The LIFE and TRAVEL^
ministers and elders, which had been gather
ed (I fuppofe) about half an hour.
In this meeting, my mind was humbly
contrite: In the afternoon, the meeting of
bufinefs opened ; which, by adjournments,
held near a week. — In thefe meetings, I of
ten felt a living concern for tbe eftablifhment
of friends in the pure life of truth : And
my heart was enlarged in the meeting of mi
nisters, meeting of bufinefs, and in feveral
meetings of publick worfhip; and I felt my
mind united in true love, to the faithful la
bourers now gathered at this yearly-meet
ing. On the fifteenth day of the month, I left
London* and went to a quarterly-meeting
at Hertford.
The firft day of the feventff month. I
have been at quarterly- meetings at Sherring
ton, Northampton, Banbury, and Shipton ;
and had Sundry meetings between:, My mind
hath been bowed under a fenife of divine
goodnefs manifested amongft us ; my heart
hath been often enlarged in true love, both
amongft minifters and elders* arid in publick
meetings^ that thro' the Lord's goodnefs,
I believe it hath been a frefh vifitation to ma
ny, in particular to the youth. The

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 229
The feventeenth day of the month. Was
this day at Birmingham : Have been at meet
ings at Coventry, Warwick, in Oxfordshire,
and fundry other places ; have felt the hum
bling hand of the Lord upon me ; and thro'
his tender mercies find peace in the labours
I have gone thro'.
The twenty-fixth day of the month. I
have continued travelling northward, vifit
ing meetings : Was this day at Nottingham;
which, in the forenoon efpecially, was, thro'
divine love, a heart-tendering feafon : Next
day had a meeting in a friend's houfe with
friends children and fome friends ; this,
thro' the ftrengthening arm of the Lord?
was a time to be thankfully remembered.
The fecond day of the eighth month, and
firft of the week, was this day at Sheffield,
a large inland town : Have been at fundry
meetings laft week ; and feel inward thanks
fulnefs for that divine fupport, which hath
been gracioufly extended to rnef
The ninth day of the month, and firft of
the week, was at Rufhworth : Have lately
paffed thro' fome painful labour ; but have
been comforted, under a fenfe of that di
vine vifitation, which I feel extended to^
^ard many young people. The

230 The LIFE and TRAVELS
The fixteenth day of the month, and firft
of the week, was at Settle : It hath of late
been a time of inward poverty ; under which,
my mind hath been preferved in a watchful '
tender ftate, feeling for the mind of the ho
ly Leader, and find peace in the labours I
have paffed thro'.
On enquiry, in many places, I find the
price of rye about five fhillings, wheat about
eight fhillings, per bufhel ; oatmeal twelve
Shillings for a hundred and twenty pounds ;
mutton from three-pence to five^pence per
pound ; bacon, from feven-pence to nine-
pence ; cheefe, from four-pence to fix-pence ;
butter, from eight-pence to ten-pence; houfer
rent, for a poor man, from twenty-five fhil
lings to forty fhillings per year, to be paid
weekly ; wood for fire very fearce and dear ;
coal, in fome places, two fhillings and fixT
pence per hundred weight; but near the pits,
not quarter fo much, Q, may the wealthy
confider the poor !
The wages of labouring men in feveral
counties toward London, is ten-pence per
day in common bufinefs, the employer finds
fmallrbeer, and the labourer finds his own
food ; but in harveft and hay time, wages
is about one fhilling per day, and the la
bourer hath all his diet. In fome parts of
the north of England, poor labouring men
have their food where they work ; and ap
pear,

of J O H N W O O L M A N. 231
pear in common, to do rather better than
nearer London : Induftrious women, who
fpin in the fadories, get fome four-pence,
fome five-pence, and fo on to fix, feven,
eight, nine or ten-pence per day, and find
their own houfe-room and diet. Great num
bers of poor people live chiefly on bread and
water in the fouthern parts of England, and
fome in the northern parts ; and there are
many poor children not taught even to read.
May thofe who haye plenty, lay thefe things
to heart!
Stage-coaches frequently go upwards of
an hundred miles in twenty-four hours ; and
I have heard friends fay, in feveral places,
that it is common for horfes to be killed with
hard driving, and many pthers driven 'till
they grow blind.
Poft-boys purfue their bufinefs, each one
to his ftage, all night thro' the winter : Some
boys, who ride long Stages, fuffer greatly on
winter nights ; and, at feveral places, I have
heard of their being froze to death. So
great is the hurry in the fpirit of this world,
that in aiming to do bufinefs quick, and to
gain wealth, the creation, at this day, dpth
loudly groan!
As my journey hath been without a horfe,
J have had feveral offers of being affifted on
my

2 3 2 The LIFE and TRAVELS
my way in thefe Stage-coaches ; but have
not been in them : Nor have I had freedom
to fend letters by thefe pofts, in the prefent
way of their riding ; the ftages being fo fixr
ed, and one boy dependant on another as to.
time, that they commonly go upwards of
one hundred miles in twenty-four hours ;
and in the cold long winter nights, thp poor
boys fuffer much.
I heard in America of the way of thefe
pofts ; and cautioned friends in the general
meeting of minifters and elders at Philadel-r
phia, and in the yearly-meeting of minifters
and elders at London, not to fend letters to
me on any common occafion by poft. And
tho', on this account, I may be likely tp
hear feldomer from my family left behind ;
yet, for righteoufnefs fake, I am, thro' di
vine favour, made content.
I have felt great diftrefs of mind, fince I
came on this ifland, on account of the mem
bers of our fociety being mixed with the
world in various forts pf bufinefs and traf-
fick, carried on in impure channels. Great
is the trade to Africa for flaves ! and in load-!
ing thefe Ships, abundance of people are
employed in their fadories; amongft whom
are many of our fociety.
The twenty-third day of the month, was
this day at Prefton-Patrick, and had a com-s 'is

of J O H N WOOLMAN. 233
fortable meeting. I have, feveral times been
entertained at the houfes of friends, who had
fundry things about them which had the ap
pearance of outward greatnefs ; and as I
have kept inward, way hath opened for con
verfation With fuch in private, in which di
vine goodnefs hath favoured us together,
with heart-tendering times.
The twenty-fixth day of the month. Be
ing now at George Crosfields, in the county
of Weftmoreland, I feel a concern to com
mit to writing, that which to me hath been
a cafe uncommon.
In a time of ficknefs with the pleurify,
a little upward of two years and a half ago,
I was brought fo near the gates of death,
that I forgot my name : Being then defirous
to know who I was, I faw a mafs of matter
of a dull gloomy colour, between the fouth
and the eaft; and was informed, that this
mafs was human beings in as great mifery
;as they could be, and live ; and that I was
mixed in with them, and that henceforth I
might not confider myfelf as a diftind or
feparate being. In this ftate I remained fe
veral hours. I then heard a foft melodious
voice, more pure and harmonious than any
I had heard with my ears before ; I believ
ed it was the voice of an angel, who fpake
to the other angels : The words were — ¦
f John Woolman is dead." I fp>n remembered
* that

234 The LIFE and TRAVELS
that I once was John Woolman ; and being
affured that I was alive in the body, I greatly
wondered what that heavenly voice could
mean. I believed, beyond doubting, that it was
the voice of an holy angel ; but, as yet, it
was a myftery to me.
I was then carried in fpirit to the mines,
where poor oppreffed people were digging
rich treafures for thofe called christians ; and
heard them blafpheme the name of Chrift,
at which I was grieved ; for his name to me
was precious.
Then I was informed, that thefe hea
thens were told, that thofe' who oppreffed
them were the followers of Chrift ; and they
faid amongft themfelves, If Chrift direded
them to ufe us in this fort, then Chrift is a
cruel tyrant,
All this time the fong of the angel re
mained a myftery ; and in the morning, my
dear wife and fome others coming to my bed-,
fide, I afked them if they knew who I was :
And they telling me, I was John Woolman,
thought I was light-headed : For I told them
not what the angel faid, nor was I difpofed
to talk much to any one ; but was very de
firous to get fo deep, that I might under-:
ftand this myftery. My

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 235
My tongue was often fo dry, that I
could not fpeak 'till I had moved it about
and gathered fome moifture, and as I lay ftill
for a time, at length I felt divine power pre
pare my mouth that I could fpeak ; and then
I faid, " I am crucified with Chrift, never-
" thelefs I live ; fyet not I, but Chrift that
" liveth in me : And the life I now live in
" the flefh, is by faith in the Son of God,
" who loved me, and gave himfelf for me."
Then the myftery was opened ; and I per
ceived there was joy in heaven over a finner
who had repented ; and that that language
(John Woolman is dead) meant no more than
the death of my own will.
Soon after this, I coughed, and raifed much
bloody matter ; which I had not done during
this vifion : And now my natural underftand
ing returned as before. — Here I faw, that
peopb getting filver veffels to fet off their ta
bles at entertainments, was often flained with
worldly glory ; and that in the prefent ftate
of things, I fhould take heed how I fed my
felf from oyt of filver veffels.
Soon after my recovery, I going to our
monthly-meeting, dined at a friend's houfe
where drink was brought in filver veffels,
and not in any other ; and I wanting fome
drink, told him my cafe with weeping : And
he ordered fome drink for me in another
yeffel. The

236 The LIFE and TRAVELS
The like I afterwards went thro' in
feveral friends' houfes in America, and have
alfo in England, fince I came here : And have
caufe, with humble reverence, to acknow
ledge the loving-kindnefs of my heavenly
Father, who hath preferved me in fuch a
tender frame of mind, that none, I believe,
have ever been offended at what I have faid
on that occafion.
After this ficknefs, I fpake not in publick
meetings for worfhip for near one year ; but
my mind was very often in company with
the oppreffed flaves, as I fat in meetings :
And tho', under this difpenfation, I was Shut
up from fpeaking, yet the fpring of the gof
pel miniftry was, many times, livingly open
ed in me; and the divine gift operated by
abundance of weeping, in feeling the op
preffion of this people. It being fo long
Since I paffed thro' this difpenfation, and the
matter remaining frefh and livingly tin my
mind, I believe it fafefl for me to commit
jt to writing.
The thirtieth day of the month. This
morning I wrote a letter, in fubftance as,
follows ;

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 237
Beloved friend,
" TV JTY mind is often affeded as I pafs
XVi along, under a fenfe of the ftate of
many poor people, who fit under that fort
of miniftry which requires much outward
labour to fupport it ; and the loving-kind
nefs. of our heavenly Father, in opening a
pure1 gofpel miniftry in this nation, hath of
ten raifed thankfuhiefs in my heart to him.
I often remember the conflicts of the faith
ful under perfecution, and now look at the
free exercife of the pure gift uninterrupted
by outward taws^ as a- truft committed to us;
which requires our deepeft gratitude, and
moft careful attention. I feel a tender con
cern, that the work of reformation, fo prof-
peroufly carried on in this land within a
few: ages paft^may go forward and; fpread
amongft the .nations ; and may not go back
ward, thro: duff1 gathering, ion our garments,
who have been; called tto a work fo great and
fo precious."
" Lajft. evening I had a little opportunity
at thy houfe, with fome of thy family, in
thy abfence; in which I rejoiced : And feel
ing a fweetnefs on my mind toward thep, I
now endeavour to open a little of the feeling
Madtberje/' -i'i'' I have; - heard, that you; in thefe parts,
hive, at certain feafons, toeetings of confer
ence, in, relation to friends living up to our
principJbsy Jn which feveral meetings unite in

23 8 The LIFE and TRAVELS
m one ; with which I feel unity : I having,
in fome meafure, felt truth lead that way*
amongft friends in America ; and have
found, my dear friend, that in thefe labours
all fuperfluities in our own living, are againfl
Us. I feel that pure love toward thee, in
which there is freedom."
" I look at that precious gift beftowed on
thee, with awfulnefs before Him who _ gave
it : And feel a care, that we may be fo fepa
rated to the gofpel of Chrift, that thofe things
which proceed from the fpirit of this world,
may have no place amongft us/*
" Thy friend,
" John Woolman."
I refted a few days, in body and mind;,
with our friend Jane Crosfield '.;.. who was
once in America : Was, on the fixth day of
the week, at Kendal in Weftmoreland; and
at Greyrig meeting the thirtieth day Of the
month, and firft of the week.
I have known poverty of late ; and been
gracioufly Supported to keep in the patience :
And am thankful,, under a fenfe of the goodr-
nefs of the Lord toward thofe that are of a
contrite fpirit.
The fixth day of the ninth month, and
firft of - the week; was this day 'at Counter-
fide ; a large meeting-houfe, and very full:
And thro' the opening of pure love, it was
a strengthen-

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 239
a Strengthening time to me, and (I believe)
to many more.
The thirteenth day of the month. Was
this day at Leyburn, a fmall meeting ; but
the town's people coming in, the houfe was
crowded : It was a time of heavy labour ; and
(I believe) was a profitable meeting.
At this place I heard that my kinfman
William Hunt from North-Carolina, who
Was on a religious vifit to friends in Eng
land, departed this life on the ninth day of
the ninth month, inftant, of the fmall-pox,
at Newcaftb. — -He appeared in the miniftry
when a youth; and his. labours therein were
of good favor. He travelled much in that
Work in America. I once heard him fay in
public teftimony, that his concern Was (in .
that vifit) to be devoted to the fervice of
Chrift fo fully, that he might not fpend one
minute in pleafing himfelf : Which words,
joined with his example, was a means of
Stirring: -up the pure mind in me.
Having of late travelled often in wet wea
ther, thro' narrow Streets in towns and vil
lages, where dirtinefs under foot, and the
fcent arifing from that filth, which more or
lefs infeds the air of all thick fettled towns ;
and I being- but weakly, have felt diftrefs
both in body and mind with that which is
impure. , In thefe jpurnies I have been where much
cloth hath been dyed; and fundry times
walked

240 The LIFE and TRAVELS
walked over ground, where much of their
dye-fluffs have drained away.
Here I have felt a longing in my mind,
that people might come into cbannefs of fpi
rit, cleannefs of perfon, cbannefs about their
houfes and garments.
Some, who are great, carry delicacy to a
great height themfelves, and yet the real
cleanlinefs is not generally promoted. Dyes
being invented partly to pleafe the eye, and
partly to hide dirt, I have felt in this weak
State, travelling in dirtinefs and affeded with
unwholfome fcents, a ftrong defire that the
nature of dying, cloth to hide dirt may be
more fully confidered.
Tohide dirt in our garments, appears op
posite to real cleanlinefs.
To wafh garments r and keep them fweet,
this appears cleanly.
Thro' giving way to dirt in our gar
ments, a fpirit which would cover that
which is difagreeable, is ftrengthened.
Real cleannefs becometh a holy people :
but hiding that which is not clean by colour
ing our garments, appears contrary to the
fweetnefs of fincerity.
Thro' fome forts of dyes, cloth is lefs ufe
ful : and if the value of dye-fluffs, the ex-
pence of dying,, and the damage^ done to
cloth, were all added together, and that ex-
pence applied to keep : all fweet arid clean,
how much more cleanly would people be. Near

op JOHN WOOLMAN. 241
On this vifit to England I have felt fome
inftrudiotts feabd on my mind, which I am
concerned to leave in writing, for the ufe of
fuch who are called to the ftation of a mini-
fter of Chrift.
Chrift being the Prince of Peace, and we
being no more than minifters, I find it ne-
ceffary for us, not only to feel a concern in
our firft going forth, but to experience the
renewing thereof, in the appointment of
meetings. 1 felt a concern in America, to prepare for
this voyage ; and being, through the mercy
of God, brought fafe here, my heart was
like a veflel that wanted vent ; and for feve
ral weeks at firft, when my mouth was open
ed in meetings, it often felt like the railing
of a gate in a water courfe, where, a weight
of water lay upon it; and in thefe labours
there appeared a frefh vifitation to many,
efpecially the youth ; but fometimes after this,
I felt empty and poor, and yet felt a neceffi-
ty to appoint meetings.
In this ftate I was exercifed to abide in the
pure life of truth, and in all my labours to
watch diligently againft the motions of felf
in my own mind.
I have frequently felt a neceflity to ftand
up, when the fpring of the miniftry was low,
and to fpeak from the neceflity, in that which
fubjedeth the will ofthe creature ; and here
in I Was ilnited with the fuffering feed, and
found inward fweetnefs in thefe mortifying
labours. R As

342 The LIFE and TRAVELS
As I have been preferved in a watchful at
tention to the divine leader, under thefe dif-
penfations, enlargement at times hath fol
lowed, and the power of truth hath rofe high
er in fome meetings than I ever knew it be
fore through me.
Thus I have been more and more inftrud
ed, as to the neceflity of depending, not up
on a concerrn which I felt in America, to come
en 2 vifit to England ; but upon the frefh in-
ftrudions of Chrift the Prince of Peace, from
day to day.
Now of late, I felt a flop in the appoint
ment of meetings, not wholly but in part ;
and I do not feel liberty to appoint them fo
quick one after another as I have heretofore.
The work of the miniftry, being a work
of divine love, I feel that the openings there
of are to be waited for, in all our appoint
ments. Oh how deep is divine wifdom! Chrift puts
forth his minifters, and goeth before them ;
and oh how great is the danger of departing
from the pure feeling of that which ieadeth
fafely !
Chrift knoweth the ftate ofthe people, and
in the pure feeling of the gofpel miniftry,
their ftates are opened to his fervants.
Chrift knoweth when the fruit-bearing
branches themfelves have need of purging.
Oh that thefe leffons may be remembered
by me! and that all who appoint meetings,
may proceed in the pure feeling of duty. I have

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 243
I have fometimes felt a neceflity to ftand
up, but that fpirit which is of the world
hath fo much prevailed in many, and the
pure life of truth been fo preffed down, that
I have gone forward, not as one travelling
in a road caft up, and well prepared, but as
a man walking through a miry place, in
which are ftones here and there, fafe to ftep
on ; but So fituated that one ftep being taken,
time is neceffary to fee where to ftep next.
Now I find that in the pure obedience, the
mind learns contentment, in appearing weak
and foolifh to that wifdom which is of the
world ; and in thefe lowly labours, they who
ftand in a low place, rightly exercifed under
the crofs, will find nourishment.
The gift is pure, and while the eye is fin
gle in attending thereto, the underftanding is
preferved clear ; felf is kept out ; we rejoice
in filling up that which remains of the af-
flidions of Chrift, for his body's fake, 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 gof
pel miniftry, growing weary of fuffering,
and afhamed of appearing weak, may kindle
afire, compafs themfelves about with fparks,
and walk in the light ; not of Chrift who is
under fuffering ; but of that fire, which they,
going from the gift, have kindled : And that
in hearers, which is gone from the meek fuf
fering ftate, into the worldly wifdom, may
R 2 be

244 The LIFE and TRAVELS
be warmed with this fire, and fpeak highly
of thefe labours. That which is of God ga
thers 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 minifters amongft us may be
preferved in the meek feeling life of truth,
where v/e may have no defire, but to follow
Chrift and be with him ; that when he is un
der fuffering we may fuffer with him ; and
never defire to rife up in dominion, but as
he by the virtue of his own fpirit may raife
us.

A few days after writing thefe confiderati
ons, our dear friend, in the courfe of his reli
gious vifits, came to the city of York, and
attended moft Of the fittings ofthe quarterly
meeting there ; but before it Was Over, was
taken ill of the fmall-pox. Our friend Tho
mas Prieftman and others who attended him,
preferved the following minutes of his expref-
fions in the time of his ficknefs, and of his
deceafe. ift day, the 27th of the gth month 1772.
His diforder appeared to be the fmall-pox :
being afked to have a dodbr's advice, he Sig
nified he had not freedom or liberty in his
mind fo to do, ftanding wholly refigned to
his will, who gave him life, and whofe pow
er he had witneffed to raife and heal him in
ficknefs before, when he feemed nigh unto
death ; and if he was to wind up now, he
was

op JOHN WOOLMAN. 245
was perfedly refigned, having no will either
to live or die, and did not choofe any Should
be fent for to him : but a young man, an
apothecary, coming of his own accord the
next day, and defiring to do fomething for
him, he faid he found a freedom to confer
with him and the other friends about him,
and if any thing Should be propofed, as to
medicine that did not come thro' defiled chan
nels or oppreffive hands, he fhould be wil
ling to confider and take it, fo, far as he
found freedom,
2d day. He faid he felt the diforder to af.
fed his head, fo that he could think little,
and but as. a child ; and defired, if his under
standing fhould be more affeded, to have
nothing given him that thofe about knew he
had a teftimony againft.
Third-day he uttered the following pray
er. — Q Lord my God, the amazing hor
rors of dlarknefs were gathered around me
and covered me all over, and I faw no way
to go forth ; I felt the depth and extent of
the mifery of my fellow creatures feparated
from the divine harmony, and it was heavi
er than I could bear, and. I was crufhed down
under it, I lifted up my hand, I ftretched
out my arm, but there was none to help me ;
I looked round about and was. amazed ; in
the depths of mifery, 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 hadft pity
upon

246 The LIFE and TRAVELS
upon me when no man could help me ; I faw
that meeknefs under fuffering was fhewed to
us in the moft affeding example of thy Son,
and thou taught me to follow him, and I
faid " thy will, O Father, be done."
Fourth-day morning, being afked how he
felt himfelf, he meekly anfwered, I don't
know that I have flept this night, I feel the
diforder making its progrefs, but my mind
is mercifully preferved in ftillnefs and peace :
Sometime after he faid he was fenfibb the
pains of death muft be hard to bear, but if
he efcaped them now, he muft fometime pafs
thro' them, and he did not know that he
could be better prepared, but had no will in
it. He faid he had fettled his outward af
fairs to his mind, had taken leave of his
wife and family as never to return, leaving
them to the divine protedion ; adding, and
tho' 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
faid, This trial is made eafier than I could
have thought, my will being wholly taken
away ; for if I was anxious for the event
it would have been harder, but I am not,
and my mind enjoys a perfed palm.
In the night a young woman having given
him fomething to drink, he faid, My child,
thou feems very kind to me, a poor creature,
the Lord will reward thee for it. Awhile af
ter he cried out with great earneftnefs of
fpirit, Oh, my Father! my Father ! and foon
after he faid, Oh, my Father ! my Father !
how

of JOHN WOOLMAN. 247
how comfortable art thou to my foul in this
trying feafon. Being afked if he could take
a little nourifhment ; after fome paufe he re
plied, my child, I cannot tell what to fay to
it ; I feem nearly arrived where my foul fhall
have reft from all its troubles. After giving
in Something to be inferted in his journaj,
he faid, I believe the Lord will now excufe
me from exercifes of this kind ; and I fee no
work but one, which is to be the laft wrought
by me in this world, the mefFenger will come
that will releafe me from all thefe troubles ;
but it muft be in the Lord's time, which I
am waiting for. He faid he had laboured to
do whatever was required, according to the
ability received, in the remembrance of
which he had peace ; and tho' the diforder
was ftrong at times, and would, like a whirl
wind, come over his mind; yet it had hither
to been kept fteady and centered in everlast
ing love; adding, and if that be mercifully
continued, I afk nor defire no more. An
other time he faid, he had long had a view
of vifiting this nation, and fometime before
he came had a dream, in which he faw
himfelf in the northern parts of it, and that
the fpring of the gofpel was opened in him
much as in the beginning of friends, fuch as
George Fox and William Dewfberry, and he
faw the different ftates of the people, as clear
as he had ever feen flowers in a garden ; but
in his going along he was fuddenly ftopt,
tho' he could not fee for what end ; but
looking

248 The LIFE and TRAVELS
looking towards home, fell into a flood of
tears which waked him.
At another time he faid, my draught feem
ed ftrongeft towards the North, and I men-r
tioned in my own monthly-meeting, that
attending the quarterly- meeting at York,
and being there Iopked like home tome.
Fifth-day night, having repeatedly con-
fented to take medicine with a view to fettle
his Stomach, but without effect; the friend
then waiting on him, faid, thro' diftrefs,
what fhall I do now ? He anfwered, with great
compofure, Rejoice ever more, and in every
thing give thanks ; but added a little after,
this is fometimes hard to come at.
Sixth-day morning he broke forth early in
fupplication on this wife, O Lord, it was thy
power that enabled me to forfake fin in my
youth, and I have felt thy bruifes for dif
obedience ; but as I bowed under them thou
healed me, continuing a father and a friend ;
I feel thy power now, and I beg that in the
approaching trying moment Thou wilt keep
my heart ftedfaft unto thee. Upon his giv
ing directions to a friend concerning fome
little things, fhe faid I will take care, but
hope thop wilt live to order them thyfelf ;
he reply'd, my hope is in Chrift, and tho' I
may feem a little better, a change in the dif-
order may foon happen, and my little ftrength
be diflblved, and if it fo happens, I Shall be
gathered to my everlafting reft. On her fay
ing fhe did not doubt that, but could not
help mourning to fee fo many faithful fer
vants

of JOHN WOOLMAN. " 249
vants removed at fo low a time ; he faid all
good cometh from the Lord, whofe power is
the fame, and can work as he fees beft. The
fame day he had given diredions about
wrapping his corpfe ; perceiving a friend to
weep, he faid I would rather thou would ft
guard againft weeping for me, my fifter, I
forrow not, tho' I have had fome painful con-
flids, but now they feem over and matters
well fettled, and I lopk at the face of my
dear redeemer, for fweet is his voice and his
countenance is comety.
Firft-day, fourth of the tenth month, heing
very weak and in general difficult to be un
derftood, he uttered a few words in comme
moration of the Lord's goodnefs ; and add
ed, how tenderly haveT been waited on in
this time of afflidion, in which I may fay
in Jobs words, Tedious days and wearifame
nights are appointed Unto me, and how ma
ny are Spending their time and money in
vanity and fuperfluities, while thoufands and
tens of thoufands want the neceffaries of
life, who might be relieved by them, and
their diftreffes at fuch a time as this, in fome
degree foftened by the adminiftring fuitable
things. Second-day morning the apothecary, who
appeared very anxious to aflift him, being
prefent, he queried about the probability of
fuch a load of matter being thrown off his
weak body, and the apothecary making fome
remarks implying he thought it might; he
fpoke with an audible voice on this wife, My

250 The LIFE and TRAVELS, &c.
My dependance is on the Lord Jefus, who I
truft will forgive my fins, which is all I hope
for, and if it be his will to raife up this body
again, I am content ; and if to die, I am re
figned ; and if thou canft not be eafy with
out trying to affift nature, I fubmit : after
which his throat was fo much affeded, that
it was very difficult for him to fpeak fo as to
be underftood, and frequently wrote when
he wanted any thing. About the fecond
hour on fourth-day morning he afked for
pen and ink, and at feveral times with much
difficulty wrote thus, I believe my being here
is in the wifdom of Chrift, I know not as to
life or death.
About a quarter before fix the fame morn
ing he feemed to fall into an eafy fleep, which
continued about half an hour, when feeming
to awake, he breathed a few times with more
difficulty, and expired without figh, groan,
or Struggle.

END OF THE JOURNAL.

SOME
CONSIDERATIONS On the KEEPING of
NEGROES.
Recommended to the Profeflbrs of Chriftianity
of every Denomination.
Firft printed in the year 1754.
INTRODUCTION.
CUSTOMS generally approved, and Opi
nions received by youth from their fupe-
riors, become like the natural produce of a foil,
efpecially when they are fuited to favourite in
clinations : but as the judgments of God are
without partiality, ty which the Jlate of the
foul mujl be tried, it would be the highefl wif
dom to forego cuftoms and popular opinions, and
try the treafures of the foul by the infallible
flandard truth-
Natural affedion needs a careful examina
tion : operating upon us in afoft manner, it kin
dles defires of love and tendernefs, and there is
danger of taking it for fomething higher. Tome

252 INTRODUCTION.
me it appears an inftinSl like that which inferior
creatures have ; each of them, we fee, by the
ties of nature, love felf befl -, that which is a
part of felf, they love by the fame tie or in
ftinSl. In them it, in fome meafure, does the of
fices of reafon, by which, among other things,
they watchfully keep, and orderly feed their
helplefs offspring. Thus natural affedion ap
pears to be- a branch qf felf-love, good in the
animal race, in us likewife, with proper limita
tions ; but otherwife is produSlive of evil, by
exciting defires to promote fome by means preju
dicial to other %.
Our hleffed Saviour feems to give a check to
this irregular fondnefs in nature, and, at the
fame time, a precedent for us : " Who is my
" mother, and who are my brethren ?" there
by intimating, that the earthly ties of relation-
fhip, are, comparatively, inconfiderable to fuch,
who, tkro' a fteady aourfe of obedien.ce, have
copie to the happy experience of the fpirit of
God bearing witnefs with their fpirits that they
are his children: — " And he ftretched forth
" his hands towards his difciples, and faid,
" Behold my mother, and my brethren : For
'« whqfoever Shall do the will of my Fa-
" ther which is in heaven" f arrives at the
more noble part of true relationfhipj " the fame
" is my brother, and fifter, and mother,"
Matt. xii. 48.
This doSlrine agrees well with a ftate truly
compleat, where love neceffarily operates ac
cording

INTRODUCTION. 253
cording to the ugreeablenefs of things on princi
ples unalterable and in themfelves perfefl.
If endeavouring tu have my children eminent
amongft men after my death, be that which no
reafons grounded on thofe principles can 'be brought
to fupport -, then to be temperate in my purfuit
aftet gain, and to keep always within the
bounds of thtfe principles, is an indifpenfable
duty, and to depart from it, a dark unfruitful
toil. In our prefent condition, to love our children
is needful ; but except this love proceeds from
the true heavenly principle which fees beyond
earthly treafures, it will rather be injurious
than of any real advantage to them : where the
fountain is corrupt, the ftreams muft neceffarily
be impure.That important injunffiion of our Saviour,
Matt. vi. 33. with the Promife annexed, con
tains a fhort but comprehenfive view of our du
ty and happinefs : — If then the bufinefs of man
kind in this life , is, to firft feek another ; if this
cannot be done, but by attending to the means ;
if afummary qf the means is, Not to do that
to another which, in like eircumftances, we
would not have done unto us, then thefe are
points qf moment, and worthy of our moft feri-
ous confideration.
What I write on this fubjeSl is with reluct
ance, and the hints given are in as general
terms as my concern would allow: I know it is
a point about which, in all its branches, men
that appear to aim well are not generally a-
greed;

254 INTRODUCTION.
greed; and for that reafon, I chofe to avoid be
ing very particular. — If I may happily have let
drop any thing that may excite fuch as are con
cerned in the practice to a clofe thinking on the
fubjetJ treated of, the candid amongft them may
eafily do the fubjeSl fuch further juftice, as, on
an impartial enquiry, it may appear to deferve -,
and fuch an enquiry I would earneftly recom~
mend.

SOME

SOME

CONSIDERATIONS, &c.

Matt. xxv. 40.
Forafmuch as ye did it to the leaft of thefe my
brethren, ye did it unto me.
AS many times there are different mo
tives to the fame adions ; and one
does that from a generous heart,
which another does for felfifh ends.  The
like may be faid in this cafe.
There are various eircumftances amongft
them that keep negroes, and different ways
by which they fall under their care ; and, I
doubt not, there are many well-difpofed per
fons amongft them who defire rather to ma
nage wifely and juftly in this difficult matter,
than to make gain of it.
But the general difadvantage which thefe
poor Africans lie under in an enlightened
chriftian country, having often filled me with
real fadnefs, and been like undigefted matter
on my mind, I now think it my duty, thro'
divine aid, to offer fome thoughts thereon to
the confideration of others. When

256 CONSIDERATIONS on the
When we remember that all nations are of
one blood, Gen. iii. 20. that in this world we
are but fojourners, that we are fubjed to the
like afflictions and infirmities of body, the
like diforders and frailties in mind, the like
temptations, the fame death, and the fame
judgment, and, that the all-wife Being is
Judge and Lord over us all, it feems to raife
an idea of a general brotherhood, and a dif
pofition eafy to be touched with a feeling of
each others afflidions : but when we forget
thofe things, and look chiefly at our out
ward eircumftances, in this and fome ages
paft, conftantly retaining in our minds the
diftindion betwixt us and them, with re
fped to our knowledge and improvement in
things divine, natural and artificial, our
breafts being apt to be filled with fond no
tions of fuperiority, there is danger of erring
in our condud towards them.
We allow them to be of the fame fpecies
with ourfelves ; the odds is, we are in a high
er ftation, and enjoy greater favours than
they. And when it is thus, that our heaven
ly Father endowed fome of his children with
diftinguifhed gifts, they are intended for
good ends ; but if thofe thus gifted are
thereby lifted up above their brethren, not
confidering themfelves as debtors to the
weak, nor behaving themfelves as faithful
Stewards, none "who judge impartially can
fuppofe them free fiom ingratitude.
When a people dwell under the liberal di
stribution of favours from heaven, it be
hoves

Keeping of N E G R O E S. 257
hoves them carefully to infped their ways,
and confi der the purpofes for which thofe
favours were beftowed, left thro' forgetful-
Uefs of God, and mifufing his gifts, they in
cur his heavy difpleafure, whofe judgments
are juft and equal, who exalteth and hum-
bleth to the duft as he feeth meet.
It appears, by Holy Record, that men un
der high favours have been apt to err in their
opinions concerning others. Thus Ifrael, ac
cording to the defcription of ~the prophet,
Ifa. lxv. 5. when exceedingly corrupted and
degenerated, yet remembered they were the
chofen people of God; and could fay, " Stand
" by thyfelf^ come not near me, for I am ho-
" lier than thou." That this was no chance
language, but their common opinion of other
people, more fully appears, by confidering
the eircumftances which attended when God
was beginning to fulfil his precious promifes
concerning the gathering of the Gentiles.
The Moft High, in a vifion, undeceived
Peter, firft prepared his heart to believe ;
and, at the houfe of Cornelius, fhewed him
of a certainty that God was no refpeder of
perfons. The effufion of the Holy Ghoft upon a
people, with whom they, the Jewifh chrif-
tians would not fo much as eat; was ftrange
to them : All they of the circumcifipn were
aftonifhed to fee it ; and the apoflbs and bre
thren of Judea contended with Peter about
it, 'till he, having rehearfed the whole mat
ter, and fully fhewn that the Father's love
S was

25S CONSIDERATIONS on the
was unlimited, they are thereat Struck with
admiration, and cry out, " Then hath God
" alfo to the Gentiles granted repentance
" unto life !"
The opinion of peculiar favours being con
fined to them, was deeply rooted, or elfe the
above inftance had been lefs Strange to them,
for thefe reafons ; Firft, They were generally
acquainted with the writings of the pro
phets, by whom this time was repeatedly
fpoken of, and pointed at. Secondly, Our
bbffed Lord Shortly before exprefly faid, " I
" have other fheep, not of this ; fold, therri
" alfo muft I bring," &c. Laftly, His words
to them after his refurredion, at the very
time of his afcenfion, " Ye fhall be witneffes
*' tome, not only in Jerufalem, Judea, and
*' Samaria, but to the uttermoft parts of the
" earth."
Thofe concurring eircumftances, one would
think, might have raifed a ftrong expedation
of feeing Such a time ; yet, when it came, it
proved matter of offence and aftonifhment.
To confider mankind otherwife than bre
thren, to think favours are peculiar to one
nation, and exclude others, plainly fuppofes
a darknefs in the understanding : for as God's
love is univerfal, fo where the mind is fuf
ficiently influencedby it, it begets a likenefs
of itfelf, and the heart is enlarged towards
all men. Again, to conclude a' people fro-
ward, perverfe, and worfe by nature than
others (who ungratefully receive favours,
and apply them to bad ends) this will excite
a behaviour

Keeping of NEGROES. 259
a behaviour toward them unbecoming the
excellence of true religion.
To prevent fuch error, let us calmly confi
der their circumftance ; and, the better to do
it, make their cafe ours. Suppofe, then,
that our anceftors and we had been expofed
to conftant fervitude, in the more fervile and
inferior employments of life ; that we had
been deflitute of the help of reading and good
company ; that amongft ourfelves we had
few wife and pious inftrudors; that the
religious amongft our Superiors feldom took
notice of us ; that while others, in eafe,
have plentifully heaped up the fruit of our
labour, we had received barely enough to re
lieve nature ; and being wholly at the com
mand of others, had generally been treated
as a contemptible, ignorant part of man
kind : Should we, in that cafe, be lefs abjed
than they now are '? Again, If oppreffion be
fo hard to bear, that a wife man is made
mad by it, Eccl. vii. 7. then a feries of thofe
things altering the behaviour and manners
of a people, is what may reafonably be ex
peded. When our property is taken contrary to
our mind, by means appearing to us unjuft,
it is only thro' divine influence, and the
enlargement- of heart from thence proceed
ing, that we can love our reputed oppref-
fors : If fhe Negroes fall fhort in this, an
uneafy, if not a difconfolate difpofition, will
be awakened, and remain like feeds in their
minds, producing floth and many other ha-
S 2 bits

26o CONSIDERATIONS on the
bits appearing odious to us ; with which, be-*
ing free-men, they, perhaps, had not been
chargeable. Thefe, and other eircumftances,
rightly confidered, will leffen that too great
difparity which fome make between us and
them. Integrity of heart hath appeared in fomP
pf them ; fo that, if we continue in the word
of Chrift (previous to difciplefhip, John viii.
3 1 .) and our condud towards them be fea-1
fohed with his love, we may hope to fee the
good effed of it : The which, in a good de
gree, is the cafe with fome into whofe hands
they have fallen : But that too many treat
them otherwife,- not feeming confeious of
any negbd, is, alas ! too evident,-
When felf-love prefides in our minds, our
opinions are' biaffed in our own favour ; in
this1 Condition, being concerned with a peo->
pie fo fituated, that they have no voice to
plead their own catrfe, there's danger of
Ufing ourfelves to an undisturbed partiality,
'till, by long cuftom, the mind becomes re
conciled with it, and the judgment itfelf in-
feded. To humbly apply to God for wifdom, that
we may thereby be enabled to fee things as
they are, and ought to be, is very needful ;
hereby the hidden things of darknefs may
be brought to light, and the judgment made
clear: We fhall then confider mankind as bre
thren. Tho' different degrees and a vari
ety of qualifications and abilities, one de-*
pendant on another, be admitted, yet high
thoughts

Keeping of N E G R O E S. 261
thoughts will be laid afide, and all men treat
ed as becometh the fons of one father, agree*-
able to the dodririe of Chrift Jefus.
" He hath laid down the befl criterion, by
which mankind ought to judge of their own
condud, and others judge for them of theirs,
one towards another, viz. " Whatfoever ye
" would that men fhould do unto you, do
" ye even fo to them." I take it, that
all men by nature, are equally entitled to the
equity of this rule, and under the indifpen-
fible obligations of it. One man ought not
to look upon another man, or fociety of men,
as fo far beneath him ; but that he fhould
put himfelf in their place, in all his adions
towards them, and bring all to this teft, viz.
How fhould I approve of this condud, were
I in their cireumftance, and they in mine ?"
A. Arfcot's Confiderations, p. III. fol. 107.
This dodrine being of a moral unchange
able nature, hath been likewife inculcated in
the former difpenfation ; -' If a ftranger fo-
*' journ with thee in your land, ye fhall not
" vex him ; but the ftranger that d\velbth
" with you, fhall be as one born amongft
*' you, and thou fhalt love him as thyfelf,??
Lev. xix. 33, 34. Had thefe people come vo
luntary and dwelt amongft us, to have called
them Strangers would be proper ; and their
being brought by force, with regret, and a
languifhing mind, may well raife companion
in a heart rightly difpofed : But there is nor
thing in fuch treatment, which upon a wife and

262 CONSIDERATIONS on the
and judicious confideration, will any ways
leffen their right of being treated as Stran
gers. If the treatment which many of them
meet with, be rightly examined and . com
pared with thofe precepts, " Thou fhalt not
" vex him nor opprefs him; he fhall be as
" one born amongft you, and thou fhalt love
" him as thyfelf," Lev. xix. 33. Deut. xxvii.
19. there will appear an important difference
betwixt them.
It may be objeded there is coft of pur-
chafe, and rifque of their lives to them who
poffefs 'em, and therefore needful that they
make the befl ufe of their time. ; in a prac
tice juft and reafonabb, fuch objedions may
have weight ; but if the work be wrong from
the beginning, there is little or no force in
them. If I purchafe a man who hpth never
forfeited his liberty, the natural right of
freedom is in him ; and fhall I keep him and
his pofterity in fervitude and ignorance ?
" How fhould I approve of this condud,
were I in his eircumftances, and he in mine *"'
It may be thought, that to treat them as we
would willingly be treated, our gain by them
would be inconfiderabb : And it were, in dU
vers refpeds, better that there were none
in our country.
We may further confider, that they are
now amongft us, and thofe of our nation the
caufe of their being here ; that whatfoever
difficulty accrues thereon, we are juftly
chargeable with, and to bear all ineonveni-
encies attending it, with a ferious and weigh ty

Keeping of NEGROES. 263
ty concern of mind to do our duty by them,
is the beft we can do.- To feek a remedy by
continuing the oppreffion, becaufe we have
power to do it, and fee others do it, will, I
apprehend, not be doing as we would be
done by.
How deeply foever men are involved in
the moft exquifite difficulties, fincerity of
heart, and upright walking before God, freeT
ly fubmitting to his providence, is the moft
fure remedy : He only is able to relieve, not
only perfons, but nations, in their greateft
calamities. David in a great ftrait, when the fenfe of
his.paft error, and thp full expedation of an
impending calamity, as the , reward of it3
were united; to the aggravating his diftrefs,
after fome deliberation, faith, " Let me fall
" now into the hands of the, Lord, for very
" great, are his mercies ; let me not fall inr
*' to the hand of man." 1 Chron. xxi. 13.
To ad continually with integrity of heart,
above all narrow or felfifh motives, is a fure
token of our being; partakers of that Salva
tion which r" God hath appointed for walls
" and bulwarks," Ifa. v, 26. Rom. xv. 8. and
is, beyond all contr^didion, a more happy
Situation;, than can ever be promifed by the
utmoft reach of art and power united, not
proceeding from heavenly; wifdpm.
A fupply to nature's lawful wants, joined
with a .peaceful, humble mind, is the trueft "
happinefs in this life; and if here we arrive
to thi§, ancl remain tp walk, ip the path of
the

264 CONSIDERATIONS on the
the juft, our cafe will be truly happy : And
tho' herein we may part with, or mifs of
fome glaring Shews of riches, and leave our
children little elfe but wife inftrudions, a
good example, and the knowledge of feme
honeft employment ; thefe, with the bleffing
of Providence, are fufficient for their happi
nefs, and are more likely to prove fo, than
laying up treafures for them, which are of
ten rather a fnare, than any real benefit ;
efpecially to them, who, inftead of being ex-
ampled to temperance, are in all things
taught to prefer the getting of riches, and
to eye the temporal diftindions they give, as
the principal bufinefs of this life. Thefe rea
dily overlook the true happinefs of man, as
it refults from the enjoyment of all things in
the fear of God, and, miferably fubftituting
an inferior good, dangerous in the acqui
ring, and Uncertain in the fruition, they are
fubjed to many difappointments, and every
fweet carries its fling.
It is the conclufion of our bleffed Lord and
his apoftles, as it appears by their lives and
dodrines, that the higheft delights of fenfej
or moft pleating objeds vifible, ought ever to
be accounted infinitely inferior to that real
intelbdual happinefs fuited to man in his
primitive innocence, and now to be found in
true renovation of mind ; and that the com
forts of our prefent life, the things moft
grateful to us, ought always to be received
with temperance, and never made the chief
objeds of our defire, hope, or love: but that our

Keeping of NEGROES. 265
our whole heart and affedions be principally
looking to that " city, which hath founda-
" tions, whofe maker and builder is God."
Did we fo improve the gifts beftowed on us,
that our children might have an education
fuited to thefe dodrines, and our example to
eonfirm it, we might rejoice in hopes of their
being heirs of an inheritance incorruptible.
This inheritance, as chriftians, we efteem
the moft valuable ; and how then can we fail
to defire, it for our children ? O that we were
confiftent with ourfelves, in purfuing means
neceffary to obtain it !
It appears, by experience, that where chil
dren are educated in fulnefs, eafe and idle-
nefs, evil habits are more prevalent, than in
common amongft fuch who are prudently
employed in the neceffary affairs of life : And
if children are not only educated in the way
of fo great temptation, but have alfo the op
portunity of lording it over their fellow-
creatures, and being mafters of men in their
childhood, how can we hope otherwife than
that their tender minds will,, be poffeffed with
thoughts too high for them ? which, by con
tinuance, gaining ftrength, will prove, like
a flow current, gradually feparating them
from (or keeping from acquaintance with)
that humility and meeknefs in which alone
lafting happinefs can be enjoyed.
Man is born to labour, and experience
abundantly fheweth, that it is for our good :
But where the powerful lay the burthen on
the inferior, without affording a chriftian
education,

266 CONSIDERATIONS on the
education, and fuitable opportunity of im
proving the mind, and a treatment which
we, in their cafe, fhould approve, that them
felves may live at eafe, and fare fumptuouf-
ly, and lay up riches for their posterity, this
feems to contradid the defign of Providence,
and, I doubt, is fometimes the effed of a
perverted mind : For while the life of one is
made grievous by the rigour of another, it
entails mifery on both.
Amongft the manifold works of Provi
dence, displayed in the different ages of the
world, thefe which follow (with many others)
may afford inftrudion.
Abraham was called of G6d to"> leave his
country and kindred, to fojourn amongft
ftrangers : Thro' famine, and danger of
death,: he was forced to flee from one king
dom to another : He, at leHgth, not only had
affurance of being the father of many na
tions, but became a mighty prince. Genefis
xxiii. 6.
Remarkable were the dealings of God with
Jacob in a low ; eftate, the r juft fenfe he re
tained of them after his advancement, ap
pears by his words: "I am riot worthy of
" the baft of all thy mercies/'Genefis xxxii.
io. xlviii. 15.
The numerous afflidions of Jofeph are
very fingular; the particular providence of
God therein, no lefs manifeft : He, at length,
became governor of Egypt, and famous for
wifdom and virtue. The

Keeping of NEGROES. 267
The feries of troubles David paSFed thro',
few amongft us are ignorant of: And yet he
afterwards became as one of the great men.
of the earth. :
Some evidences of the divine wifdom ap
pears in thofe things, in that fuch who are
intended for high ftations, have .firft, i>een
very low and dejeded, that truth might .be
feafed on their hearts ; and that the charac
ters there imprinted by bitternefs andadver-
fity, might in after years remain, fuggeft-
ing cbmpaffionate ideas, and, in their pro
fperity, quicken their regard to thofe in the
like condition : Which yet further appears in
the cafe of Ifrael : They were well acquaint
ed with grievous Sufferings, a long and rigo
rous fervitude ; then, thro' many notable
events, were made chief amongft the nations :
To them we rind a repetition of precepts to
the purpofe above faid : Tho', for ends a-
greeabb to infinite wifdom, they were.. chofe
as a peculiar people for a time"; yet the Moft
High acquaints them, that his love is not
confined, but extends to the ftranger ; and,
to excite their cbmpaffion, reminds them of
times paft, " Ye were ftrangers in the land
" pf Egypt,*' Deut. x. 19. Again, " Thou
" Shalf not opprefs a ftranger, for ye know
" the heart .of a ftranger, feeing ye were
" ftrangers in the land of Egypt," Exod.
xxiii, 9.
.,. If w.e callito.mind ouf beginning, fome of
us may find a time, wherein our fathers were
under

26S CONSIDERATIONS on the
under afflidions, reproaches, and manifold
fufferings. Refpeding our progrefs in this land, the
time is fhort fince our beginning was fmall
and number few, compared with the native
inhabitants. He that fleeps not day nor
night, hath watched over us, and kept us as
the apple of his eye. His almighty arm hath
been round about us, and fayed us from
dangers. The wildernefs and folitary defarts in
which our fathers paffed the days of their
pilgrimage, are now turned into pbafant
fields ; the natives are gone before us,
and we eftablifhed peaceably in the poffeffion
of the land, enjoying our civil and religious
liberties ; and, while many parts of the
world have groaned under the heavy calami?
ties of war, our habitation remains quiet,
and our land fruitful.
When we trace back the fleps we have
trodden, and fee how the Lord hath opened
a way in the wildernefs for us, to the wife
it will eafily appear, that all this was not
done to be buried in oblivion ; but to pre
pare a people for more fruitful returns, and
the remembrance thereof, ought to humble
us in profperity, and excite in us a chriftian
benevolence towards our inferiors.
If we do not confider thefe things aright,
but, thro' a ftupid indolence, conceive
views of intereft, feparate from the general
good of the great brotherhood, and, in pur
suance thereof, treat our inferiors with ri-

Keeping of NEGROES. 269
gour, to increafe our wealth, and gain riches
for our children ; What then fhall we do
" when God rifeth up ? and when he vifit-
" eth, what fhall we anfwer him ? did not
" he that made us, make them ? and did not
" one fafhion us in the womb ?" Job xxxi.
To our great mafter we ftand or fall, to
judge or condemn us as is moft fuitable to his
wifdom or authority ; my inclination is to
perfuade, and intreat, and fimply give hints
of my way of thinking.
If the chriftian religion be confidered, both
refpeding its dodrines, and the happy in
fluence which it hath on the minds and
manners of all real chriftians, it looks rea-
fonable to think, that the miraculous mani-
feftation thereof to the world, is a kindnefs
beyond expreflion.
Are we the people thus favoured ? are we
they whofe minds are opened, influenced,
and governed by the Spirit of Chrift, and
thereby made fons of God ? is it not a fair
conclufion, that we, like our heavenly Fa
ther, ought, in our degree, to be adive in
the fame great caufe of the eternal happi
nefs of, at baft, our whole families, and
more, if thereto capacitated?
If we, by the operation of the Spirit of
Chrift, become heirs with him in the king
dom of his Father, and are redeemed from
the alluring counterfeit joys of this world,
and the joy of Chrift remain in us, to fup
pofe that one remaining in this happy con
dition,

270 CONSIDERATIONS on the
dition, can for the fake of earthly richeff,
not only deprive his fellow-creatures of the
fweetnefs of freedom, (which rightly ufed,
is one of the greafeft temporal bleffings) but
therewith negbd ufing proper . means, for
their acquaintance with the Holy Scriptures,
and the advantage of true religion, feems,
at baft, a contfadidion to reafon.
Whoever rightly advocates the caufe of
fome, thereby promotes the good of all. The •
ftate of mankind was harmonious in the
beginning, and tho' fin hath introduced
difcord, yet thro' the wonderful love of
God, in Chrift Jefus our Lord, the way is
open for our redemption, and means ap
pointed to reftore us ' to primitive har
mony. ' That if one fuffer by the unfaith-
fulnefs of another, the mind, the moft no
ble part of him that occafions the difcord, is
thereby alienated from its trae and real hap
pinefs. Our duty and intereft are infeparably uni
ted, and when we negbd or mifufe our ta
lents, we neceffarily depart from the heaven
ly fellowfhip, and are in the way to the
greateft of evils.
Therefore to examine and prove" ourfelves,
to find what harmony the power prefiding
jn us bears with the divine nature, is a duty
not more incumbent and neceffary, than it
would be beneficial.
In Holy Writ the Divine Being faith of
himfelf, " I am the Lord, which exercife
" loving-kindnefs, judgment and righteouf- "'" nefs

Keeping of NEGROES. 271
" nefs in the earth ; for in thefe things I de-
" light, faith the Lord, Jer. ix. 24. Again,
fpeaking in the way of man, to fhew his
compaffion to Ifrael, whofe wickednefs had
occafiqhed a calamity, and then being hum
bled under, it, it is faid, " His foul was
" grieved for their miferies," Judges x. 1 6.
If we confider the life of our bbffed Saviour
when on earth, as it is recorded by his follow
ers, we fhall find, that one uniform de
fire for the eternal, and temporal good of
'mankind, difcovered itfelf in all his adions.
If we,iObferve men, , both apoflbs and
others, in many different ages, who have
really, come to the unity of the Spirit, and
the fellowfhip of the faints, there ftill appears
the like difpofition* and in them the defire
of the real happinefs of mankind, has out
balanced the defire of eafe, liberty, and,
many times, life itfelf.
If upon a true fearqh, we find that our na
tures are fo far renewed, that to exercife righ
teoufnefs and loving-kindnefs (according to
our ability) towards all men, without refped
of perfons, is eafy to us, or is our delight ;
if our love be fo orderly, and regular, that
he who doeth the will of our Father, who is
in heaven, appears in our view, to be our
neareft relation, our brother, and fifter, and
mother ; if this be our cafe, there is a good
foundation to hope, that the bleffing of God
will fweeten our treafures during our flay in
this life, and our memory be favory, when
we are entered into reft. To

272 CONSIDERATIONS, &&
To conclude, 'Tis a truth moft .certain^
that a life guided by wifdom from above1,
agreeable with juftice, equity, and mercy,
is throughout confiftent and amiable, and
truly beneficial to fociety; the ferenity and
calmnefs of mind in it, affords an unpafal-
lelled comfort in this life, and the end of it
is bbffed. And, no lefs true, that they, who in the
midft of high favours, remain ungrateful,
and under all the advantages that a chriftian
can defire, are felfifh, earthly, and fenfual,
do mifs the true fountain of happinefs, and
wander in a maze of dark anxiety, where all
their treafures are infufficient to quiet their
minds : Hence, from an infatiable craving,
they negbd doing good with what they have
acquired, and too often add oppreffion to va
nity, that they may compafs more.
" O that they were wife, that they under-
" flood this, that they would confider their
" latter end!" Deut. xxxii. 29.

C o N-

CONSIDERATIONS On the KEEPING of
N E G R O E S.
Recommended to the ProfefTors of 'Christia
nity of every Denomination.
Part the Second.
Firft printed in the year 1762.

Deut; i. 17^
Te fhall hot refped' perfons in judgment ; but'
ye fhall hear the fmall as well as the great : ye
fhall not be afraid qf the face qf man ; fot the
judgment is God's. ,

PREFACE.
jfLL our aflions are of like nature with their
J^* root -, and the Moft High weighetb thent
more fkilfully than Men can weigh them one
for another.
I believe that one Supreme Being made and
fupport s the world; nor can I worfhip any other
Deity without being an idolater, and guilty of
wickednefs. T Many

274; PR E F A C E. ,
Many nations have believed in, and worfhip-
peda plurality of dejties ; but I do not believe
they were therefore all wicked. Idolatry indeed
is wickednefs ; but it is the thing, not the. name,
which -is fo. Real idolatry is to pay that ado
ration to a creature, which is known ta be due
onlyjjo the^ true God. ,.
He 'who prcfeffeth toZbelieve.pne Almighty
Creator, arid in his Son Jefus Chrift, and is
yet more intent on the honours, profits and friend
fhip s of the world,- than he is. inftnglenefs of
heart to ftand faithful to the chriftian religion,
is in the, channel of idolatry ; while the 'Gentile,
who, under fome mijlaken opinions, is notwith-
Jl adding eftdbllfhFd~in the true principle of vir
tue, and humbly adpres, an, §lmighty power, may
be of that number' who fear God, and work
¦righteoufnefs. /  v
, J believe the bifhpp qf Rome affumes a power,
that does' not belong to 'any officer in the church
of Chrift -, and if I fhould knowingly do any
thing, -tending to ftrvngthen him in that capa
city, it would be great iniquity. There are ma
ny thoufands qf people, who by their profeffion
acknowledge him to. be the reprefentative, of, Je
fus .Chr ft on earth; and to fay thai' none- of
them are upright in heart," would be contrary to
my Jentiments .
Men who fincerely apply their minds to true
virtue, and find an inward fupport from above,
by which all vicious inclinations are made fub-
jeff ¦; that they love God fincerely, and prefer
the real good of mankind univerfally to their own

PREFACE. 275
own private, intereft ; though thefe, through the
flrength of education and tradition, may remain
under fome fpeculative and great errors, it would
be uncharitable to fiy, that therefore God rejeSls
them. — He who creates, fupport s and gives un-
derjlanding to all men, his knowledge and good
nefs is fuperior to the various cafes and eircum
ftances of his creatures, which to us appear the
moft difficult.
The apojlles and primitive chriftians did not
cenfure all the Gentiles as wicked men, Rom. ii.
14. Col. iii. 1 1. but as they were favoured with
a gift to difcern things more clearly, refpeSling
tbe wojftipqf the true God, they with much firm
nefs declared againft the worftZipping of Idols ;
and with true patience endured many fufferings,
on that account.
Great numbers of faithful Proteftants have
contended for the truth, in oppofition to papal
errors ¦, and with true fortitude laid down their
lives in the conftiSl, . without faying, That no
man was faved who made profeffion of that re
ligion .
While we have no right to keep men as fer
vants for term of life, but that of fuperior pow
er ; to do this, with defign by their labour to
profit ourfelves and our families, I believe is
wrong -, but I do not believe that all who have
kept flaves, have therefore been chargeable with
guilt. If their motives thereto were free from
felfifhnefs, and their flaves content, they were
a fort of freemen ; which I believe hath fome
times been the cafe.
T 2 Whatever

276 P R E F A C E.
Whatever a man does in the fpirit of charity,
to him it is not fin : and while he lives and aBs
in this fpirit, he learns all things effential to his
happinefs, as an individual: and if he doth not
fee that any injury or injuftice, to any other per
fon, is neceffarily promoted by any part of his
form of government, I believe the merciful
Judge will not lay iniquity to his charge. Tet
others, who live in the fame fpirit of charity,
from a clear convincement , may fee the relation
of one thing to another, and the neceffary ten
dency qf each ; and hence it may be absolutely
binding on them to deftftfrom fome parts qf can-
duB, which fome good men have been in*

CO N-

CONSIDERATIONS On the Keep ing of
NEGROES.
Part the Second.

AS fome in moft religious focieties a-
mongft the Englifh are concerned in
importing or purchasing the inhabi
tants of Africa as flaves ; and as the profef-
fors of chriftianity of feveral other nations
do the like ; thefe eircumftances tend to make
people lefs apt to examine the pradice fo
clofely as they would, if fuch a thing had
not been, but was now propofed to be en
tered upon. It is however our duty, and
what concerns us individually, as creatures
accountable to our Creator, to employ right
ly the underftanding which he hath given
us, in humbly endeavouring to be acquaint
ed with his will concerning us, and with the
nature and tendency of thofe things which
we pradife: for as juftice remains to be juf-
rfce, fo many people, of reputation in the
world,

278 CONSIDERATIONS os the
world, joining with wrong things, do not
excufe others in joining with them, nor make
the confequence of their proceedings lefs
dreadful in the final iflue, than it would be
otherwife. Where unrighteoufnefs is juftified from
one age to another, it is like dark matter
gathering into clouds over us. We may
know that this gloom will remain till the
caufe be removed by a reformation, or
change of times ; and may feel a defire, from
a love of equity, to fpeak on the occafion ;
yet where error is fo ftrong, that it may not
be fpoken againft, without fome profped of
inconvenience to the fpeaker, this difficulty
is likely to operate on our weaknefs, and
quench the good defires in us ; except we
dwell fo fteadily under the weight of it, as to
be made willing to " endure hardnefs" on
that account.
Where men exert their talents againft
vices generally accounted fuch, the ill effeds
whereof are prefently perceived in a govern
ment, all men who regard their own tempo
ral good, are likely to approve the work.
But when that which is inconfiftent with
perfed equity, hath the law, or countenance
of the great in its favour, though the ten
dency thereof be quite contrary to the true
happinefs of mankind in an equal, if not
greater, degree, than many things accounted
reproachful to chriftians ; yet, as thefe ill
effeds are not generally perceived, they who
labour to diffuade from fuch things, which
people

Keeping of NEGROES. 279
people believe accord, with their intereft, have
many difficulties to encounter.
The repeated charges, which God gave to
his prophets, imply the danger they were in
of erring on this Hand. " Be not afraid of
" their faces ; for I am with thee, to deliver
" thee, faith the Lord." Jer. i. 8. " Speak
" all the words that I command thee to
" fpeak to them ; diminifh not a word." Jer.
xxvi. 2. " And thou, fon of man, be not
" afraid of them, nor difmayed at their
" looks. Speak my words to them, whether
u they will hear or forbear." Ezek. ii. 6, 7.
Under an apprehenfion of duty, I offer
fome further confiderations on this fubjed,
having endeavoured fome years to confider it
candidly. I have obferved people of our
own colour, whofe abilities have been infe
rior to the affairs which relate to their conve
nient fubfiftence, who have been taken care
of by others, and the profit of fuch work as
they could do, applied toward their fupport.
— 1 believe there are fuch amongft negroes ;
and that fome people, in whofe hands they
are, keep them with no view of outward
profit, do not confider them as black "men,
who, as fuch, ought to ferve white men ; but
account them perfons who have need of guar
dians, and as fuch take care of them : yet
where equal care is taken in all parts of edu
cation, I do not apprehend cafes of this fort
are likely to occur more frequently amongft
one fort of people than another. It

2§o CONSIDERATIONS on the
It looks' to me that the flave trade was
founded, and hath generally been carried on,
in a wrong fpirit; that the effeds of it are
detrimental to the real profperity of our
country ; and will be more fo, except we
ceafe from the common motives of keeping
them, and treat them in future agreeable to
truth and pure juftice.
Negroes may be imported, who, for their
cruelty to their countrymen, and the evil
difpofition of their minds, may be unfit to be
at liberty ; and if we, as lovers of righteouf
nefs, undertake the management of them,
we fh,ould have a full and clear knowledge of
their crimes, and of thofe eircumftances which
might operate in their favour; but the diffi
culty of obtaining this is fo great, that we
have great reafon to be cautious therein.
But, fhould it plainly appear that abfolute
fubjedion was a condition the moft proper
for the perfon who is purchafed, yet the in
nocent children ought not to be made flaves,
becaufe their. parents finned.
We have account in holy fcripture of fome
families fuffering, where mention is only made
ofthe heads of the family committing wick
ednefs ; and it is likely that the degenerate
Jews, mifunderftanding fome occurrences of
this kind, took occafion to charge God with
being unequal ; fo that a faying became com
mon, " The Fathers have eaten four grapes,
" and the children's teeth are fet on edge."
Jeremiah and Ezekiel, two ofthe infpired
prophets, who lived near the fame time, were
concerned

Keeping of NEGROES. 281
concerned to corred this error. Ezekiel is
large on the fubjed. Firft, he reproves them
for their error. " What mean ye, that ye
" do fo," chap, xviii: verfe 2. " As 1 Jive,
" faith the Lord God, ye fhall not have oc-
" caiion any more to ufe this proverb in K-
" rael." The words, " any more," have
reference to time paft ; intimating, that tho'
they had not rightly underftood fome things
they had heard or feen, and thence fuppofed
the proverb to be well grounded ; yet hence
forth they might know of a certainty, that
the ways of God are all equal ; that as fure
as the Moft High liveth, fo fure men are on
ly anfwerable for their own fins.  He thus
fums up the matter, ver. 20. " The foul that
" finnefh, it fhall die. The fon fhall not bear
" the iniquity of the father ; neither fhall the
" father Sear the -iniquity of the fon. The
" righteoufnefs of the righteous fhall be up-
" on him ; and the wickednefs of the wicked
" fhall be upon him."
Where men are wicked, they commonly are
a means of corrupting the fucceeding age ;
and thereby haften thofe outward calamities,
which fall on nations, when their iniquities
are full.
Men may purfue means which are not a-
greeable to perfed purity, with a view to in
creafe the wealth and happinefs of their off-
fpring, and thereby make the way of virtue
more difficult to them. Andl though the ill
example of a parent, or a multitude, does not
excufe a man in doing evil, yet the mind be ing

232 CONSIDERATIONS on the
ing early impreffed- with vicious notions and
pradices, and nurtured up in ways of get
ting treafure, which are not the ways of
truth ; this wrong fpirit getting firft poffefli-
on, and being thus ftrengthened, frequently
prevents due attention to the true fpirit of
wifdom, fo that they exceed in wickednefs thofe
who lived before them. And in this channel,
though parents labour, as they think, to for
ward the happinefs of their children, it proves
a means of forwarding their calamity. This
being the cafe in the age next before the
grievous calamity in thefiege of Jerufalem, and
carrying Judah captive to Babylon, they might
fay with propriety, This came upon us, be
caufe our fathers forfook God, and becaufe we
did worfe than Our fathers. See Jer. vii. 26.
As the generation next before them inward
ly turned away from God, who yet waited to
be gracious ; and as they in that age conti
nued in thofe things which neceffarily fepa
rated from perfed goodnefs, growing more
Stubborn, till the judgments of God were
poured out upon them ; they might properly
fay, " Our fathers have finned, and we have
" borne their iniquities :" Lam. v. 7. And
yet, wicked as their fathers were, had they
not fucceeded them in their wickednefs, they
had not borne their iniquities.
To fuppofe it right, that an innocent man
fhall at this day be excluded from the com
mon rules of juftice ; be deprived of that li
berty, which is the natural right of human
creatures ; and be a flave to others during life,

Keeping of NEGROES. 283
life, on account of a fin committed by his
immediate parents ; or a fin committed by
Ham, the fon of Noah ; is a fuppofition too
grofs to be adrriitted into the mind of any
perfon, who fincerely defires to be governed
by folid principles.
It is alledged, in favour of the pradice,
that Jofhua made flaves of the Gibeonites.
What men do by the command of God,
and what comes to pafs as a confequence of
their negbd, are different ; fuch as the latter
cafe now mentioned was.
It was the exprefs command of the Almigh
ty to Ifrael, concerning the inhabitants of
the promifed land, " Thou fhalt make no
" covenant with them, nor with their Gods :
" They fhall not dwell in thy land." Exod.
xxiii. 32. Thofe Gibeonites came craftily,
telling Jofhua, that they were come from a
far country ; that their elders had fent them
to make a league with the people of Ifrael;
and as an evidence of their being foreigners,
fhewed their old cloaths, &c. " And the
" men took of their viduals, and afked not
" counfel at the mouth of the Lord ; and
" Jofhua made peace with them, and made
" a league with them, to let them live ; and
" the princes fware to them." Join. ix. 14, 15.
When the iropofition was difcovered, the
congregation murmured againft the princes :
" But all the princes faid to all the congrega-
" tion, we have fworn to them by the Lord
" God of Ifrael ; now therefore we may not
" touch them ; we will even let them live,
" left

284 CONSIDERATIONS on the
" left wrath be upon us ; but let them be
" hewers of wood, and drawers of water un-
" to the congregation."
Omitting to afk counfel, involved them in
great difficulty. The Gibeonites were of thofe
cities, of which the Lord faid, " Thou fhalt
" fave alive nothing that breatheth ;" and of
the flock of the Hivites, concerning whom
he commanded by name, " Thou fhalt finite
*' them, and utterly deftroy them : Thou
" fhalt make no covenant with them, nor
" fhew mercy unto them," Deut. vii. i. Thus
Jofhua and the princes, not knowing them,
had made a league with them, to let them
live; and in this ftrait they refolve to make
them fervants. Jofhua and the princes fuf-
peded them to be deceivers : " Peradventure
" you dwell amongft us : and how fhall we
" make a league with you ?" Which words
fhew, that they remembered the command
before mentioned ; and yet did not enquire
at the mouth ofthe Lord, as Mofes direded
Jofhua, when he gave him a charge refped-
ing his duty as chief man among that people,
Numb, xxvii. 2.1. By this omiffion things
became fo fituated, that Jofhua and the
princes could not execute the judgments of
God on them, without violating the oath
which they had made.
Mofes did amifs at the waters of Meribah ;
and doubtlefs he foon repented ; for the Lord
was with him. And it is likely that Jofhua
was deeply humbled, under a fenfe of his
omiffion ; for it appears that God continued hirn

Keeping of NEGROES. 285
him in his office, and fpared the lives of
thofe people, for the fake of the league and
oath made in his name.
The wickednefs of thefe people was great,
and they worthy to die, or perfed juftice had
not paffed fentence of death upon them ; and
as their execution was prevented by this league
and oath, they appear content to be fervants :
" As it feemeth good and right unto thee to
" do unto us, do."
Thefe criminals, inftead of death, had the
fentence of fervitude pronounced on them, in
thefe words, " Now therefore ye are curfed ;
" and there fhall none of you be freed from
" being bondmen, and hewers of wood,
" and drawers of water for the houfe of my
" God." We find, Deut. xx. 10. that there were
cities far diftant from Canaan, againft which
Ifrael went to battle ; unto whom they were
to proclaim peace, and if the inhabitants
made anfwer of peace, and opened their
gates, they were not to deftroy them, but
make them tributaries.
The children of Ifrael were then the Lord's
hpft, and executioners of his judgments on
people hardened in wickednefs. — They were
not to go to battle, but by his appointment.
The men who were chief in his army, had
their inftrudion from the Almighty; fome
times immediately, and fometimes by the
miniftry of angels. Of thefe, amongft others,
were Mofes, Jofhua, Othniel, and Gideon;
fee Exod. iii. 2, and xviii. 19. Jofh. v. 13.
Thefe

286 CONSIDERATIONS on the
Thefe people far off from Canaan, againft
whom Ifrael was fent to battle, were fo cor 7
rupt, that the creator of the univerfe faw it
good to change their fituation ; and in cafe
of their opening their gates, and coming un
der tribute, this their fubjedion, though pro
bably more mild than abfolute flavery, was
to laft little or no longer than while Ifrael re
mained in the true fpirit of government.
It was pronounced by Mofes the prophet,
as a confequence of their wickednefs, " The
" ftranger that, is within thee Shall get above
" thee very high; and thou fhalt come down
" very low: he Shall be the; head, and thou
" the tail." Deut. xxviii. 43, 44.,
This we find in fome meafure verified in
their being made tributaries to the MOabites,
Midianites, Amorites and Philiftines".
It is alleged in favour of the pradice of
flave-keeping, that the Jews, by their law
made flaves of the Heathen, Lev it. xxv. 45.
" Moreover, ofthe children of the ftrangers
" that do fojourn amongft you, of them fhall
" ye buy, and of their children, which are
" with you, which they begat, in your land ;
" and they fhall be your poffeffion:; and you
" Shall take them as an inheritance for your
'' children after you, to inherit them as a
"' poffeffion, they fhall be your bondmen' for
" ever." — —It is difficult for us to have any
certain knowledge of the mind .of Mofes,; in
regard to keeping flaves, any other way than
by looking upon him as a true fervant of God,
whofe mind and condud were regulated by an

Keeping of NEGROES. 287
an inward principle of juftice and equity. To
admit a Supposition that he in that cafe was
drawn from perfed equity by the alliance of
outward kindred, would be to difown his au
thority. Abraham had fervants born in his houfe,
and bought with his money : '* And the Al-
" mighty : faid . of Abraham, I know him,
" that he will order his houfe after him."
Which implies, that he, was as a father," an
inftrudor, and a good governor over his peo
ple.  And Mofes, confidered as a man of
God, muft neceffarily have had a profped; of
fome real; advantage in the ftrangers and, hea
thens being fervants to' the Ifraelites ; for a
time. ¦ ;... ;
As mankind had received and eftablifhed
many erroneous opinions and hurtful cuf
toms, their ; living and . converting with the
Jews, while the Jews flood faithful to their
principles, might be helpful tor remove thofe
errors, and reform their manners.— — -But
for men, with private views, to affume an
abfolute power over the perfons and; proper
ties of others ; and continue it from age to
age in the line of natural generation, with
out regard to the virtues and vices of their
fucceffors, as it is manifestly contrary to true
univerfal love, and attended with great evils,
there requires the cleareft evidence to beget a
belief in us, that Mofes intended that the
ftrangers fhould as fuch be flaves to the Jews.
He direded them to buy ftrangers and fo
journers. — It appears that there were ftrang ers

288 CONSIDERATIONS on the
ers in Ifrael who were free men ; attd consi
dering with what tendernefs and. humanity
the Jews, by their law, were obliged to ufe
their fervants, and what care Was to be taken
to inftrud them in the true religion, it is not
unlikely that fome ftrangers in poverty and
diftrefs were willing to enter into bonds to
ferve the Jews as long as they lived ; and in
fuch cafe the Jews, by their law, had a right
to their fervice during life.
When the awl was bored through the ear
of the Hebrew fervant, the text faith, " He
" fhall ferve for ever ;" yet we do not fup
pofe that by the word " for ever," it was in
tended that none of his pofterity Should af
terwards be free ; when it is faid in regard to
the ftrangers which they bought, : " They
*<¦. fhall be your poffeffion," it may be well
uhderftood to mean only the perfons fo pur-
chafed; all preceding relates to buying therti;
and What follows, to the continuance of their
fervice, " You fhall take them as an inhe-
" ritance to your children after you ; they
" fhall be your bondmen for ever." It may
be well underftood to ftand limited to' thole
they purehafed.
Mofes, direding Aaron and his fons tp
wafh their hands and feet, when they went
into the tabernacle ofthe congregation^ faith,
11 It fhall be a ftatute for ever to them, even
" to him and his feed throughout all gene-
" rations." And to exprefs the continuance
of the law, it was his common language,
" It fhall be a ftatute for ever throughout " your

Keeping of NEGROES. 289
" your generations." So that had he intend
ed the ppfterity of the ftrangers fo purchafed
to continue in flavery of the Jews, it looks
likely that he would have ufed fome terms
clearly to exprefs it. The Jews undoubtedly
had flaves, whom they kept as fuch from' one
age to another ; but that this was agreeable
to the genuine defign of their infpired law
giver, is far from being a clear cafe.
Making conftrudions of the law contrary
to the true meaning of it,, was common
amongft that people,-  Samuel's fons took
bribes, and perverted judgment,  Ifaiah
complained that they juftified the wicked for
reward.  Zephaniah, cotemporary with
Jeremiah, on account of the injuftice of the
civil magiftrates, declared that thofe judges
were evening wolves ; and that the priefts
did violence to the law.
Jeremiah acquaints us, that the priefts
cried peace, peace, when there was no peace ;
by which means the people grew bold in
their wickednefs; and having committed
abominations, were not afhamed ; but, thro'
wrong conftrudions of the law, they juftifi
ed themfelves, and boaftingly faid " We are
" wife ; aad the law of the Lord is with us."
Thefe corruptions continued 'till the days of
our Saviour, who told the Pharifees, " You
" have made the commandment of God of
" none effed thro' your tradition."
Thus it appears that they corrupted the
law of Mofes ; nor is it unlikely that among
many others this was one; for opprefling the
U Strangers

290, C6NSIDERATI0NS 6n th£
ftrangers was a heavy charge againft the
Jews, and very often ftrongly reprefented by
She Lord's faithful prophets.
That the liberty of man was, by the in
spired law-giver, efteemed precious, appears
in this; that fuch who unjuftly deprived
men of it, were to be punifhed in like man
ner as if they had murdered thern. " He
" that ftealeth a man, and felleth him ; or if
" he be found in his hand, fhall furely be
" put to death." This part of the law was
fo confiderable, that Paul, that learned Jew,
giving a brief account of the ufes of the law,
adds this, " It was made for men-Healers,'*
1 Tim. i. ic
The great men amongft that people were
exceedingly oppreffive ; and,, it is likely, ex-»
erted their whole ftrength and influence to
have the law conftrued to Suit their turns. — -
The honeft fervants of the lord had heavy
work with them in regard to their oppreffi
on ; a few inftance® follow. " Thus faith
" the Lord of hofts, the God of Ifrael,
" amend your ways, and your doings ; and I
il will caufe you to dwell in this* place. If
" you thoroughly execute judgment between
*' a man and his neighbour ; if you opprefs
" not the ftranger, the fatherbfs and the wi^
" do'W ; and Shed not innocent blood in thia
" place ; neither walk after other gods to
*' your hurtr then will I caufe you to dwell
" in this place, Jer. vii.  Again a mef-
fage was fent not only to the inferior mini
fters of juftice, but alfo to the chief ruler,
** Thus

Keying of NEGROES. 291
" Thus faith the Lord, go down to the houfe
" of the king of Judah, and fpeak there this
" word ; execute ye judgment and righteouf-
" nefs, and deliver the fpoiled out of the
" hand of the oppreffor ; and do no wrong;
" do no violence to the ftranger, the father-
" lefs and the widow ; neither fhed innocent
" blood in this place." Then adds, " That
" in fo doing they fhould profper ; but if ye
" will not hear thefe words, I fwear by my-
" felf, faith the Lord, that this houfe fhall
" become a defolation," Jer. xxii.
The king, the princes and rulers were
agreed in oppreffion before the Babylonifli
captivity ; for whatever courts of juftice Were
retained amongft them ; or however they de
cided matters betwixt men of eftates, it is
plain that the caufe ofthe poor was not judg-?-
ed in equity.
It appears that the great men amongft the
Jews were fully refolved to have flaves, even
of their own brethren, Jer. xxxiv. Notwith
standing the promifes and threatenings of the
Lord, by the prophet, and their folemn co
venant to fet them free, confirmed by the
imprecation of paffing between the parts of a
calf cut in twain ; intimating by that cere
mony, that on breach of the covenant, it
were juft for their bodies to be fo cut in
pieces. — Yet after all, they held faft to their
old cuftom, and called home the fervants
whom they had fet free.^ — " And ye were
" now turned, and had done right in my
-' fight, in proclaiming liberty every man to
U 2 " his

*92 CONSIDERATIONS on the
*' his neighbour; and ye had made a cove-
" nant before me, in the houfe which is call-
" ed by my name ; but ye turned, and pol-
" luted my name, and caufed every man his
" fervant, whom he had fet at liberty at their
" pleafu're, to return, and brought them in-
" fo fubjedion, to be unto you for fervants,
** and for handmaids: Therefore thus faith
" the Lord, ye have not hearkened unto me,
" in proclaiming liberty every one to his
" neighbour, and every one to his brother.
* Behold I proclaim liberty to you, faith,
" the Lord, to the fword, to the peftibnce,
" and to the famine ; and I will make yoU
w to be removed into all the kingdoms of the
w earth. — The men who tranfgrefted my co-
" venant which they made, and paffed be-
*< tween the parts of the Calf, I will give in-
" to the hands of their enemies, and their
" dead bodies fhall be for meat unto, the
u fowls of the heaven, and the beafts of the
" earth." Soon after this their city was taken and
burnt; the king's fons and the princes flain;
and the king, with the chief men of his king
dom, carried captive to Babylon, — Ezekiel,
prophefying the retnrn of that people to their
own land, direds, *' Ye Shall divide the
" land by lot, for an inheritance unto you,
" and to the Strangers that fojourn:amongft
*' ypu ; in what tribe the ftranger Sojourns;
" there fhall ye give him his inheritance,
" faith the Lord God." Nor is this particu-^
lar diredion, and the authority with which it

Xeepino of NEGROES. 293
it is enforced, without a tacit implication,
that their anceftors had erred in their condud
towards the ftranger.
Some who keep flaves, have doubted as to
the equity of the pradice ; but as they knew
men, noted for their piety, who were in it,
this,, they fay, has made their minds eafy.
To ban on the example of men in doubt
ful cafes, is difficult : For only admit, that
thofe men were not faithful and upright to
the higheft degree, but that in fome particu
lar cafe they erred, and it may follow that
this one cafe was the fame, about which we
are in doubt; and to quiet our minds by
their example, may be dangerous to our
felves ; and continuing it, prove a Hum
bling block to tender-minded people who
fucceed us, in like manner as their examples
are to us.
But fuppofing charity was their only mo
tive, and they not forefeeing the tendency of
paying robbers for their booty, were not juft
ly under the imputation of being partners
with a thief, Prov. xxix. 24. but were really
innocent in what they did, are we affured
that we keep them with the fame views they
kept them ? If we keep them from no, -other
motive than a real fenfe of duty, and true
charity governs us in all our proceedings to
ward them, we are fo far Safe : but if ano'ther
fpirit, which inclines our minds to thp ways
of this world, prevail upon us, and we are
concerned for our own outward gain more
than for their real happinefs, it will avail us
nothing

^294 CONSIDERATIONS on the
nothing that fome good men have had the
care and management of Negroes.
Since mankind fpread upon the earth, ma
ny have been the revolutions attending the
feveral families, and their cuftoms and ways
of life different from each other. This di-
verfity of manners, tho' fome are prefer
able to others, operates not in favour of any,
fo far as to juftify them to do violence to in
nocent men ; to bring them from their own
to another way of life. The mind, when
moved by a principle of true love, may feel
a warmth of gratitude to the univerfal father,
and a lively fympathy with thofe nations,
where divine Light has been lefs manifeft.
This defire for their real good may beget a
willingnefs to undergo hardfhips for their
fakes, that the true knowledge of God may
be fpread amongft them : But to take them
from their own land, with views of profit to
ourfelves, by means inconfiftent with pure
juftice, is foreign to that principle which
feeks the happinefs of the whole creation.
Forced fubjection, of innocent perfons of full
age, is inconfiftent with right reafon ; on one
fide, the human mind is not naturally forti
fied with that firmnefs in wifdom and good
nefs, neceffary to an independant ruler ; on
the other fide, to be fubjed to the uncon-
troulabb will of a man, liable to err, is moft
painful and affliding to a confcientious crea
ture. It is our happinefs faithfully to ferve-the
divine Being, who made us : His perfedion makers.

Keeping of NEGROES, 295
makes our fervice reafonable ; but fo long as
men are biaffed by narrow felf-love, fo long
an abfolute power over other men is unfit for
them. Men, taking on them the government of
others, may intend to govern reafonably, and
make their fubjeds more happy than they
would be otherwife; but, as abfolute com
mand belongs only to him who is perfed,
where frail men, in their own wills, affume
fuch command, it hath a dired tendency to
vitiate their minds, and make them more un
fit for government.
Placing on men the ignominious title
SLAVE, dreffing them in uncomely gar
ments, keeping them to fervile labour, in
which they are often dirty, tends gradually
to fix a notion in the mind, that they are a
fort of people below us in nature, and leads
us to confider them as fuch in all our con
clusions about them. And, moreover, a
perfon which in our efteem is mean and con
temptible, if their language or behaviour to
ward us is unfeemly or difrefpedful, it ex
cites wrath more powerfully than the like
condud in one we accounted our equal or
fuperior ; and where this happens to be the
cafe, it difqualifies for candid judgment ; for
it is unfit for a perfon to fit as a judge in a cafe
where his own perfonal refentments are Stir
red up ; and, as members of fociety in a well-
framed government, we are mutually depen
dent. Prefent intereft incites to duty, and
makes each man attentive to the convent ence

296 CONSIDERATIONS on the
ence of others ; but he whofe will is a law to
others, and can enforce obedience by punifh-
ment ; he whofe wants are Supplied without
feeling any obligation to make equal returns
to his benefador, 'his irregular appetites find
an open field for motion, and he is in dan
ger of growing hard, and inattentive to their
convenience who labour for his fupport ; and
fo lofes that difpofition, in which alone men
are fit to govern.
The Englifh government hath been com
mended by candid foreigners for the difufe
of racks and tortures, fo much pradifed in
fome ftates ; but this multiplying flaves now
leads to it ; for where people exad hard la
bour of others, without a fuitable reward,
and are refolved to continue in that way, fe-
verity to fuch who oppofe them becomes the
confequence -, and feveral Negro criminals,
among the Englifh in America, have been
executed in a lingering, painful way, very
terrifying to others.
It is a happy cafe to fet out right, and per-
fevere in -the fame way: A wrong beginning
leads into many difficulties; for to Support
one evil, another becomes cuftomary ; two
produces more; and the further men proceed
in this way, the greater their dangers, their
doubts and fears ; and the mote painful and
perplexing are their eircumftances ; fo that
fuch whb are true friends to the real and laft-
irfg ; ihtereft of our country, and candidly con
fider the- tendency -of things, cannot but feel
fofne concern on this' account. There

Keeping or NEGROES, 297
There is that Superiority in men over the
brute creatures, and fome of them fo mani-
feftly dependent on men for a living, that for.
them to ferve us in moderation, fo far as re
lates to the right ufe of things, looks confo-
nant to the defign of our Creator.
There is nothing in their frame, nothing
relative tp the propagating their Species, which
argues the contrary ; but in men there is.
The frame of men's bodies, and the difpofi
tion of their minds are different ; fome, who
are tough and ftrong, and their minds adive,
chufe ways pf life requiring much labour to
fupport them ; others are foon weary ; and
tho' ufe makes labour more tolerable, yet
fome are lefs apt for toil than others, and
their minds lefs fprightly. Thefe latter la
bouring for their fubfiftance, commonly
ehufe a life eafy to fuppprt, being content
with a little. When they are weary they may
reft, take the moft advantageous part of the
day for labour ; and in aft cafes proportion
one thing to another, that their bodies be not
oppreffed. Now, while each is at liberty, the latter
may be as happy, and live as comfortably as
the former ; but where men of the firft fort
have the latter under abfolute command,
not confidering the odds in ftrength and firm
nefs, do, fometimes, in their eager purfujt,
lay on burdens grievous to be borne ; by de
grees grow rigorous, and, afpiring to great-
liefs, they increafe oppreffion, and the true
order of kind Providence is fubyerted. There

29S CONSIDERATIONS^ the
There are weakneffes fometimes attending
us, which make little or no alteration in our
countenances, nor much leffen our appetite
for food, and yet fo affed us, as to make la
bour very uneafy. In fuch cafe, mafters, in
tent on putting forward bufinefs, and jealous
of the fincerity of their flaves, may disbelieve
what they fay, and grievoufly afflid them.
Adion is neceffary for all men, and our
exhaufting frame requires a fupport, which
is the fruit of adion. The earth muft be
laboured to keep us alive : labour is a proper
part of our life ; to make one anfwer the
other in fome ufeful motion, looks agreeable
to the defign of our Creator. Motion, right
ly managed, tends to our fatisfadion, health
and Support.
Thofe who quit all ufeful bufinefs, and live
wholly on the labour of others, have their ex
ercife to feek ; fome fuch ufe lefs than their
health requires ; others ehufe that which, by
vthe eircumftances attending it, proves utter
ly reverfe to true happinefs. Thus, while
fome are divers ways diftreffed for want of
an open channel of ufeful adion, thofe who
fupport them figh, and are exhausted in a
ftream too powerful for nature, fpending their
days with too little ceffation from labour.
Seed fown with the tears of a confined op
preffed people, harveft cut down by an over
borne difcontented reaper, makes bread lefs
fweet to the tafte of an honeft man, than
that which is the produce, ©r juft reward of
fuch

Keeping of NEGROES. 299
fuch voluntary adion, which is one proper
part of the bufinefs of human creatures.
Again, the weak State of the human fpe-
cies, in bearing and bringing forth their
young, and the helplefs condition of their
young beyond that, of other creatures, clearly
fhew that Perfed Goodnefs defigns a tender
care and regard fhould be exercifed toward
them ; and that no imperfed, arbitrary pow
er fhould prevent the cordial effeds of that
Sympathy,, which is, in the minds of well-
met pairs, to each other, and toward their
offspring. In our fpecies the mutual ties of affedion
are more rational and durable than in others
below us : the care and labour of raifing our
offspring much greater. The fatisfadion a-
rifing to us in their innocent company, and
in their advances from one rational improve
ment to another, is confiderable, when two
are thus joined, and their affedions fincere.
It however happens among flaves, that they
are often fituate in different places ; and their
feeing each other depends on the will of men,
liable to human paffions, and a bias in judg
ment ; who, with views of felf-intereft, may
keep them apart more than is right. Being
abfent from each other, and often with other
company, there is a danger of their affedions
being alienated, jealoufies arifing, the hap
pinefs otherwife refulting from their offspring
frustrated, and the comforts of marriage der
Strayed. — Thefe things being confidered clofe^ iy»

300 CONSIDERATIONS on the
ly, as happening to a neat friend, will ap
pear to be hard and painful.
He who reverently obferves that goodnefs
manifefted by our gracious Creator toward
the various fpecies of beings in this world,
will fee, that in our frame and conftitution is
clearly fhewn that innocent men, capable to
manage for themfelves, were not intended to
be flaves.
A perfon lately travelling amongft the
Negroes near Senegal, hath this remark ;
Which way foever I turned my eyes on
this pleafant fpot, I beheld a perfed image
of pure nature; an agreeable folitude,
bounded on every fide by charming Iand-
fcapes, the rural fituation of cottages in the
midft of trees. The eafe and indolence of
the Negroes reclined under the Shade of
their fpreading foliage; the fimplicity of
their drefs and manners ; the whole reviv
ed in my mind the idea of our firft parents,
and I feemed to contemplate the world in
its primitive ftate.'* M. Adanfon, page 55.
Some Negroes in thefe parts', who have
had an agreeable education, have manifefted
a brightnefs of underftanding equal to many
of us. A remark of this kind we find in Bof-
man, page 328. " The Negroes of Fida,
*' faith he, are fo accurately quick in their
" merchandize accounts, that they eafily
" reckon as juftly and quickly in their heads
" only, as we with the affiftance of pen and
" ink, tho' the fum amounts to feveral
" thoufands." Thro'

. Keeping of NEGROES. $6t
Through the force of long cuftom, it ap
pears needful to fpeak in relation to colour. —
Suppofe a white child, born of parents ofthe
meaneft fort, who died and left him an in
fant, falls into the hands of a perfon, who
endeavours to keep him a Slave, fome men
would account him an unjuft man in doing
fo, who yet appear eafy while many black
people, of honeft lives, and good abilities,
are enflaved, in a manner more fhocking
than the cafe here fuppofed. This is owing
chiefly to the idea of flavery being conneded
with the black colour, and liberty with the
white : — and where falfe ideas are twifted
into our minds, it is with difficulty we get
fairly difentangled.
A traveller, in cloudy weather, miffeth his
way, makes many turns while he is loft ; ftill
forms in his mind, the bearing and fituation
of places, and though the ideas are wrong,
they fix as faft as if they were right. Find
ing how things are, we fee our miftake ; yet
the force of reafon, with repeated obfervati-
ons on places and things, do not foon remove
thofe falfe notions, fo fattened upon us, but
it will feem in the imagination as if the an
nual courfe of the fun was altered ; and
though, by recolledion, we are affined it is
not, yet thofe ideas do not fuddenly leave us.
Selfifhnefs being indulged, clouds the un
derftanding ; and where felfifh men, for a
long time, proceed on their way, without
oppofition, the deceiveablenefs of unrighte
oufnefs gets fo rooted in their intelleds, that
X a candid

302 CONSIDERATIONS on the
a candid examination of things relating to
felf-intereft is prevented ; and in this cir-
eumftance, fome who would not agree to
make a Slave of a perfon whofe colour is like
their own, appear eafy in making flaves of
others of a different colour, though their un-
derftandings and morals are equal to the ge
nerality of men of their own colour.
The colour of a man avails nothing, in
matters of right and equity. Confider co
lour in relation to treaties ; by fuch, difputes
betwixt nations are fometimes fettled. And
fhould the father of us all fo difpofe things,
that treaties with black men fhould fometimes
be neceffary, how then would it appear a-
mongft the princes and ambaffadors, to infift
on the prerogative of the white colour ?
Whence is it that men, who believe in a
righteous omnipotent Being, to whom all
nations ftand equally related, and are equal
ly accountable, remain fo eafy in it ; but for
that the ideas of Negroes and flaves are fo
interwoven in the mind, that they do not
difcufs this matter with that candour and
freedom of thought, which the cafe juftly
calls for?
To come at a right feeling of their condi
tion, requires humble ferious thinking ; for,
in their prefent fituation, they have but little
to engage our natural affedion in their fa
vour. Had we a fon or a daughter involved in
the fame cafe, in which many of them are, it
would alarm us, and make us feel their con
dition

Keeping of NEGROES. 303
dition without feeking for it. The adverfity
of an intimate friend will incite our compac
tion, while others, equally good, in the like
trouble, will but little affed us.
Again, the man in worldly honour, whom
we confider as our fuperior, treating us with
kindnefs and generofity, begets a return of
gratitude and friendfhip toward him. We
may receive as great benefits from men a de
gree lower than ourfelves, in the common
way of reckoning, and feel ourfelves lefs en
gaged in favour of them. Such is our con
dition by nature; and thefe things being nar
rowly watched and examined, will be found
to center in felf-love.
The blacks feem far from being our kinf-
folks, and did we find an agreeable difpofiti
on and found underftanding in fome of them,
which appeared as a good foundation for a
true friendfhip between us, the difgrace ari
fing from an open friendfhip with a perfon of
fo vile a flock, in the common efteem, would
naturally tend to hinder it. — They have nei
ther honours, riches, outward magnificence,
nor power ; their drefs coarfe, and often rag
ged ; their employ drudgery, and much in
the dirt : they have little or nothing at com
mand ; but muft wait upon and work for
others, to obtain the neceffaries of life ; fo
that, in their prefent fituation, there is not
much to engage the friendfhip, or move the
affedion of felfifh men , but fuch who live in
the fpirit of true charity, to fympathife with
X 2 the

304 CONSIDERATIONS on the
the afflided in the loweft ftations of life, is a
thing familiar to them.
Such is the kindnefs of our Creator, that
people, applying their minds to found wif
dom, may, in general, with moderate exer
cife, live comfortably, where no mifapplied
power hinders it.  We in thefe parts have
caufe gratefully to acknowledge it. But men
leaving the true ufe of things, their lives are
lefs calm, and have lefs of real happinefs in
them. Many are defirous of purchasing and keep
ing flaves, that they may live in fome mea
fure conformable to thofe cuftoms of the
times, which have in them a tindure of lux
ury ; for when we, in the baft degree, de
part from that ufe ofthe creatures, for which
the Creator of all things intended them, there
luxury begins.
And if we confider this way of life feri-
oufly, we fhall fee there is nothing in it fuf-
ficient to induce a wife man to ehufe it, be
fore a plain, fimpb way of living. If we
examine ftately buildings and equipage, de
licious food, fuperfine cloaths, filks and
linens ; if we confider the Splendour of choice
metal fattened upon raiment, and the moft
fhowy inventions of men ; it will yet appear
that the humble-minded man, who is con
tented with the true ufe of houfes, food and
garments, and chearfully exercifeth himfelf
agreeable to his ftation in civil fociety, to
earn them, ads more reafonably, and dif-
covers

Keeping of NEGROES, 305
covers more foundnefs of underftanding in
his condud, than fuch who lay heavy bur
dens on others, to fupport themfelves in a
luxurious way of living.
George Buchanan, in his hiftory of Scot
land, page 62, tells of fome ancient inhabi
tants of Britain, who* were derived from a
people that " had a way of marking their
bodies, as fome faid, with inftruments of
iron, with variety of pidures, and with ani
mals of all fhapes, and wear no garments,
that they Should not hide their pidures ; and
were therefore called Pids."
Did we fee thofe people Shrink with pain,
for a confiderable time together, under the
point or edge of this iron inftrument, and
their bodies all bloody with the operation ;
did we fee them fometimes naked, fuffering
with cold, and refufe to put on garments,
that thofe imaginary enfigns of grandeur
might not be concealed, it is likely we fhould
pity their folly, and fondnefs for thofe things .:
but if we candidly compare their condud, in
that cafe, with fome condud amongft our
felves, will it not appear that our folly is the
greateft ?
In true gofpel Simplicity, free from all
wrong ufe of things, a fpirit which breathes
peace and good will is cherifhed ; but when
we afpire after imaginary grandeur, and ap
ply to felfifh means to attain our end, this
defire, in its original, is the fame with the
Pids in cutting figures on their bodies ; but the

306 CONSIDERATIONS on the
the evil confequences attending our proceed
ings are the greateft.
A covetous mind, which feeks opportuni
ty to exalt itfelf, is a great enemy to true
harmony in a country : envy and grudging
ufually accompany this difpofition, and it
tends to ftir up its likenefs in others. And
where this difpofition arifeth fo high, as to
embolden us to look upon honeft induftrious
men as our own property during life, and to
keep them to hard labour, to fupport us in
thofe cuftoms which have not their founda
tion in right reafon ; or to ufe any means of
oppreffion ; a haughty fpirit is cherifhed on
one fide, and the defire of revenge frequent
ly on the other, till the inhabitants of the
land are ripe for great commotion and trou
ble ; and thus luxury and oppreffion have the
feeds of war and defolation in them.

Some Account of the Slave-Trade.
From the writings of perfons who have been
at the places where they are firft purchafed,
viz. OSMAN on Guinea, who was afador
for the Dutch about fixteen years in that
country, (page 339) thus remarks : " But
" fince I have fo often mentioned that com
merce, I fhall defcribe how it is managed
by our fa dors, The firft bufinefs of one
«• of

c 1

Keeping of NEGROES. 307
*' of our fadors, when he comes to Fida, is
" to fatisfy the cuftoms of the king, and the
" great men, which amounts to about one
" hundred pounds, in Guinea value, as the
" goods muft fell there. After which we
" have free licence to trade, which is pub-
" lifhed throughout the whole land by the
" cryer. And yet before we can deal with
" any perfon, we are obliged to buy the
" king's whole flock of flaves, at a fet price ;
"" which is commonly one-third or fourth
" higher than ordinary. After which, we
" have free leave to deal with all his fubjeds,
" of what rank foever. But if there happen
" to be no flock of Slaves, the fador muft
" refolve to run the rifk of trufting the in-
" habitants with goods, to the value of one
" or two hundred flaves ; which commodi-
" ties they fend into the inland country, in
" order to buy with them flaves at all mar-
" ke-ts, and that fometimes two hundred
" miles deep in the country : for you ought
" to be informed, that markets of men are
" here kept in the fame manner as they of
" beafts are with us.
" Moft of the flaves which are . offered to
" us, are prifoners of war, which are fold
" by the vidors as their booty.  When
" thefe flaves come to Fida, they are put in
" prifons all together ; and when we treat
*' concerning them, they are all brought out
'" in a large plain, where, by our Surgeons,
" whofe province it is, they are thoroughly
14 examined, even to the fmalleft member, " and

3o8 CONSIDERATIONS on the
" and that naked, both men and women,
'' without the baft diftindion or modefty.
¦' Thofe which are approved as good, are fet
" on one fide. The invalids and maimed
'' being thrown out, the remainder are num-
¦' bered, and it is entered who delivered
" them : in the mean while a burning iron,
•' with the arms or name of the company,
" lies in the fire, with which ours are mark-
" ed on the breaft. This is done, that we
" may diftinguifh them from the flaves of
" the Englifh, French, or others. When
*' we have agreed with the owners of the
" flaves, they are returned to their prifons,
" where, from that time forward, they are
" kept at our charge, coft us two-pence a
" day a Slave, which ferves to fubfift them,
" like our criminals, on bread and water :
*' fo that, to fave charges, we fend them on
" board our Ships the firft opportunity ; be-
ft fore which their mafters ftrip them of all
f' they have on their backs, fo that they
" come aboard ftark naked, as well women
(i as men ; in which condition they are ob-
" liged to continue, if the mafter of the fhip
" is not fo charitable (which he commonly
" ' is) as to beftow fomething oti them, to
'f cover their nakednefs."
Same author, page 31:0. cc The inhabi-
f ' tants of Popo, as well as thofe of Coto, de-
" pend on plunder, and the Slave-trade, in
*' both which they very much exceed the lat-
^ ter; for being endowed with more courage,
fi they rob mpre fuccefsfully, and by that
'* means

Keeping of NEGROES. 309
" means increafe their trade : notwithftanding
" which, to freight a veffel with flaves, re-
" quires fome months attendance. In the
" year 1697, in three days time I could get
" but three flaves ; but they affured me, that
" if I would have patience for other three
" days only, they fhould be able to deliver
" me one or two hundred."
Bofman, page 440. " We caft anchor at
" cape Mizurada, but not one Negroe coming
" on board, I went on Shore ; and being defi-
" rous to be informed why they did not come
" on board, was anfwered, That about two
" months before, the Englifh had been there
" with two veffels, and had ravaged the coun-
** try, destroyed all their canoes, plundered
" their houfes, and carried off fome of their
" people for flaves ; upon which the remain-
" der fled to the inland country. They
" tell us, they live in peace with all their
" neighbours, and have no notion of any
" other enemy than the Englifh ; of which
" nation they had taken fome then : and
" publickly declared, that they would endea-
" vour to get as many of them, as the two
" mentioned Ships had carried off of their
" natives. Thefe unhappy Englifh were in
M danger of being facrificed to the memory of
" their friends, which fome of their nation
* carried off."

E X.

310 CONSIDERATIONS on the
EXTRACTS from a Colbdion of
Voyages. Vol. I.
^T^HE author, a popifh miffionary, fpeak-
j|_ ing of his departing from the Negroe
country to Brazil, faith, " I remember the
duke of Bambay (a Negroe chief) one day
fent me feveral blacks, to be my flaves, which
I would not accept of; but fent them back
to him. I afterwards told him, I came not
into his country to make flaves ; but rather
to deliver thofe from the flavery of the devil,
whom he kept in miferable thraldom. The
fhip I went aboard was loaded with elephants
teeth, and flaves, to the number of fix hun
dred and eighty men, women and children.
It was a pitiful fight to behold how all thefe
people were beftowed. The men were ftand
ing in the hold, faftened one to another with
flakes, for fear they fhould rife and kill the
whites : the women were between the decks,
and thofe that were with child in the great
cabbin : the children in the fleerage, preffed
together like herrings in a barrel ; which
caufed an intolerable heat and flench." Page
" It is now time (faith the fame author)
to fpeak of a brutifh cuftom thefe people
have amongft them in making flaves ; which
I take not to be lawful for any perfon of a
good confcience to buy." 
He then defcribes how women betray men
into flavery, and adds, " There are others
going up into the inland country, and, thro'
pretence

Keeping of NEGROES. 311
pretence of jurifdidion, feize men upon any
trifling offence, and fell them for flaves."
Page 537-
The author of this treatife, conversing with
a perfon of good credit, was informed by him,
that in his youth, while in England, he was
minded to come to America, and happening
on a veflel bound for Guinea, and from
thence into America, he, with a view to fee
Africa, went on board her, and continued
with them in their voyage, and fo came into
this country. Among other eircumftances he
related thefe : " They purchafed on the
coaft about three hundred flaves ; fome of
them he underftood were captives of war ;
fome ftolen by other Negroes privately. 
When they had got many flaves on board,
but were ftill on that coaft, a plot was laid
by an old Negroe, notwithftanding the men
had irons on their hands and feet, to kill the
Englifh and take the veflel ; which being dif-
covered, the man was hanged, and many
ofthe flaves made to fhoot at him as he hung
" Another flave was charged with having a
defign to kill the Englifh ; and the captain
fpoke to him in relation to the charge brought
againft him, as he flood on deck ; whereupon
he immediately threw himfelf into the fea,
and was drowned."
" Several Negroes, confined on board, were,
he faid, fo extremely uneafy with their con
dition, that after many endeavours ufed,
they could never make them eat nor drink after

312 CONSIDERATIONS on the
after they came in the veffel ; but in a defpe-
rate refolution ftarved themfelves to death;
behaving toward, the laft like mad-men."
In Randall's geography, printed 1744, we
are informed, " That in a time of full peace
nothing is more common than for the Negroes
of one nation to Ileal thofe of another, and
fell them to the Europeans. It is thought
that the Englifh tranfmit annually near fifty
thoufand of thefe unhappy creatures ; and
the other European nations together, about
two hundred thoufand more."
It is through the goodnefs of God that the
reformation from grofs idolatry and barbari
ty hath been thus far effeded ; if we confider
our conditions as chriftians, and the benefits
we enjoy, and compare them with the condi
tion of thofe people, and confider that our
nation trading with them for their country
produce, have had an opportunity of impart
ing ufeful inftrudions to them, and remem
ber that but little pains have been taken
therein, it muft look like an indifference in
us.— — But when we refled on a cuftom the
moft fhocking of any amongft them, and re
member that; with a view to outward gain,
we have joined as parties in it ; that our con
currence with them in their barbarous pro
ceedings, has tended to harden them in cru
elty, and been a means of increafing calami
ties in their country, we muft own that
herein we have aded contrary to thofe wor
thies whofe lives and fubftance were fpent in
propagating truth and righteoufnefs amongft the

Keeping of NEGROES. 313
the heathen. When Saul, by the hand of
Doeg, flew four feore priefts at once, he had
a jealoufy that one of them at baft was con
federate with David, whom he confidered as
his enemy.  Herod flaying all the male
children in Bethlehem of two years old and
under, was an ad of uncommon cruelty ; but
he fuppofed there was a male child there,
within that age, who was likely to be king
of the Jews, and finding no way to deftroy
him, but by deftroying them all, thought
this the moft effedual means to fecure the
kingdom to his own family.
When the fentence againft the proteftants
of Marindol, &c. in France, was put in ex
ecution, great numbers of people fled to the
wildernefs ; amongft whom were ancient
people, women great with child, and others
with babes in their arms, who endured cala
mities grievous to relate, and in the end fome
perifhed with hunger, and many were de-
ftroyed by fire and fword ; but they had this
objedion againft them, That they obftinately
perfifted in oppofition to holy mother church,
and being hereticks, it was right to work
their ruin and extirpation, and raze out their
memory from among men. Fox's Ads and
Monuments, page 646.
In favour of thofe cruelties, every one had
what they deemed a plea.-  Thefe feenes of
blood and cruelty among the barbarous in
habitants of Guinea, are not lefs terrible
than thofe now mentioned. They are con
tinued from one age to another, and we make
ourfelves

314 CONSIDERATIONS on the
ourfelves parties and fellow-helpers in them ;
nor do I fee that we have any plea in our fa
vour more plaufible than the plea of Saul, of
Herod, or the French, in thofe flaughters.
Many who are parties in this trade, by
keeping flaves with views of felf-intereft,
were they to go as foldiers in one of thefe in
land expeditions to catch flaves, they muft
neceffarily grow difFatisfied with fuch em
ploy, or ceafe to profefs their religious prin
ciples. And though the firft and moft ftrik-
ing part of the fcene is done at a great dif-
tance, and by other hands, yet every one
who is acquainted with the eircumftances,
and notwithftanding joins in it for the fake
of gain only, muft, in the nature of things,
be chargeable with the others.
Should we confider ourfelves prefent as
fpedators, when cruel Negroes privately
catch innocent ' children, who are employed
in the fields ; hear their lamentable cries,
under the moft terrifying apprehenfions ; or
fhould we look upon it as happening in our
own families, having our children carried
off" by favages, we muft needs own, that
fuch proceedings are contrary to the nature
of chriftianity : fhould we meditate on the
wars which are greatly increafed by this
trade, and on that afflidion which many
thoufands live in, through apprehenfions of
being taken or flain ; on the terror and
amazement that villages are in, when fur-
rounded by thefe troops of enterprifers ; on
the great pain and mifery of groaning dying men,

Keeping of NEGROES. 31$
men, who get wounded in thofe fkirmifhes ;
we fhall neceffarily fee, that it is impoflibb
to be parties in fuch a trade, on the motives
of gain, and retain our innocence.
Should we confider the cafe of multitudes
of thofe people, who in a fruitful foil, and
hot climate, with a little labour, raife grain,
roots and pulfe to eat ; fpin and weave cot
ton, and faften together the large feathers of
fowls, to cover their nakednefs ; many of
whom, in much fimplicity, Jive inoffenfively
in their cottages, and take great comfort in
railing up children.
Should we contemplate on their eircum
ftances, when fuddenly attacked, and labour
to underftand their inexpreffibb anguifh of
foul, who furvive the conflid ; fhould we
think on inoffenfive women, who fled at the
alarm, and at their return faw that village,
in which they and their acquaintance were
raifed up, and had pbafantly fpent their
youthful days, now lying in a gloomy defo-
lation ; fome Shocked at finding the mangled
bodies of their near friends amongft the flain ;
others bemoaning the abfence of a brother, a
fifter, a child, or a whole family of children,
who, by cruel men, are bound and carried
to market, to be fold, without the baft hopes
of feeing them again : add to this, the af-
flided condition of thefe poor captives, who
are feparated from family connedions, and
all. the comforts arifing from friendfhip and
acquaintance, carried amongft a people of a
Strange . language, to be. parted from their
fellow

316 CONSIDERATIONS on the
fellow captives, put to labour in a manner
more fervile and wearifome than what they
were ufed to, with many forrowful circum
stances attending their flavery ; and we muft
neceffarily fee, that it belongs not to the fol
lowers of Chrift to be parties in fuch a trade,
on the motives of outward gain.
Though there were wars and defolation
among the Negroes, before the Europeans be
gan to trade there for flaves, yet now the ca
lamities are greatly increafed, fo many thou
fands being annually brought from thence;
and we, by purchafing them, with views of
felf-intereft, are become parties with them,
and acceffary to that increafe.
In this cafe, we are not joining againft an
enemy who is fomenting difcords on our con
tinent, and ufing all poflibb means to make
flaves of us and our children ; but againft a
people who have not injured us.
If thofe who were fpoiled and wronged,
Should at length make flaves of their oppref-
fors, and continue flavery to their pofterity,
it would look rigorous to candid men : but
to ad that part toward a people, when nei
ther they nor their fathers have injured us,
hath Something in it extraordinary, and re
quires our ferious attention.
Our children breaking a bone ; getting fo
bruifed, that a leg or an arm muft be taken
off; loft for a few hours, fo that we defpair
of their being found again ; a friend hurt,
fo that he dieth in a day or two ; thefe move
us with grief: and did we attend to thefe
fcenes

Keeping of NEGROES. , 317
fcenes in Africa, in like manner as if they
were tranfaded in our prefence ; and fympa
thife with the Negroes, in all their afflidions
and miferies, as we do with our children or
friends : we fhould be more careful to do no
thing in any degree' helping forward a trade
produdive of fo many, and fo great calami
ties. Great diftance- makes nothing in our
favour.—  To willingly join with unrighte
oufnefs, to the injury of men who live fome
thoufand miles off, is the fame in fubftance,
as joining with it to the injury of our neigh
bours. In the eye of pure juftice, adions are re
garded according to the fpirit and difpofition
they arife from : fome evils are accounted
fcandalous, and the defire of reputation may
keep felfifh men from appearing openly in
them ; but he who is fhy on that account,
and yet by. indired means promotes that
evil, and fhares in the profit of it, cannot be
innocent. He who, with a; view to felf-intereft, buys
a flave, made fo by violence, and only on the
ftrength of fuch purchafe holds him a flave,
thereby joins hands with thofe who commit
ted that violence, and in the nature of things
becomes chargeable with the guilt.
Suppofe a man wants a flave, and being
in Guinea, goes and hides by the path where
boys pafs from one little town to another, and
there catches one the day he expeds to fail ;
and taking him on board, brings him home,
without any aggravating eircumftances. Sup-
Y pofc

318 CONSIDERATIONS on the
pofe another buys a man, taken by them
who live by plunder and the Slave-trade :
they often fteal them privately, and often
fhed much blood in getting them. He who
buys the flaves thus taken, pays thofe men
for their wickednefs, and makes himfelf par
ty with them.
Whatever nicety of diftindion there may
be, betwixt going in perfon on expeditions
to catch flaves, and buying thofe, with a view
to felf-intereft, which others have taken ; it
is clear and plain to an upright mind, that
fuch diftindion is in words, not in fubftance ;
for the parties are concerned in the fame
work, and have a neceffary connedion with,
and dependance on, each other; for were
there none to purchafe flaves, they who live
by ftealing and felling them, would of confe-
quence do lefs at it.
Some would buy a Negroe brought from
Guinea, with a view to felf-intereft, and
keep him a flave, who yet would feem to
fcruple to take arms, and join with men em
ployed in taking flaves.
Others have civil Negroes, who were born
in our country, capable and likely to ma
nage Well for themfelves,- whom they keep
as flaves, without ever trying them with
freedom, and take the profit of their labour
as a part of their eftates, and yet difap-
prove bringing them from their own coun
try. If thofe Negroes had come here, as mer
chants, with their ivory and gold duft, in
order

Keeping Of NEGROES. 319
order to trade With us, and fome powerful
perfon had took their effeds to himfelf, and
then put them to hard labour, and ever after
confidered them as flaves, the adion would
be looked upon as Unrighteous.
Thofe Negroe" merchants having children
after their being arriortg tis, whofe endow
ments ^.nd condud were like other people's in
common, if on their attaining to mature age,
and requeftirig to have their liberty, they
fhould be told they Were born in flavery,
and were lawful flaves, and therefore their
fequeft fhould be denied ; fuch condud to
ward them, Would be looked upon as unfair
and Oppteffive.
In the prefent cafe, relating to home-born
Negroes, Whofe understandings and behaviour
are as good as cbmindh among other people,
if we have any claim to them as flaves, that
claim is grounded on their being the chil
dren Or offspring pf flaves, who, in general,
were made fuch through means as unrighte
ous, and attended with more terrible eircum
ftances than the cafe lalt fuppofed ; fo that
When we trace our claim fo the bottom, thefe
home-born Negroes' having paid for their
education, and giveSh reafonable fecurity to
thofe who owned them, in cafe of their becom
ing chargeable, we have no more equitable
right to their fervice, than we fhould if they
were the children of honeft merchants who
came from Guinea in' an Englifli veffel to
trade with us. Y 2 If

320 CONSIDERATIONS on the
If we claim any right to them as the chil
dren of flaves, we build on the foundation
laid by them, who made flaves of their an
ceftors ; fo that of neceflity we muft either
juflify the trade, or relinquifh our right to
them, as being the children of flaves.
Why fhould it feem right to honeft men to
make advantage by thefe people, more than
by others ? Others enjoy freedom, receive
wages equal to their work, at or near fuch
time as they have difcharged thefe equitable
obligations they are under to thofe who edu
cated them, — - — Thefe have made no contrad
to ferve ; been no more expenfive in railing
up than others, and many of them appear as
likely to make a right ufe of freedom as other
people ; which way then can an honeft man
withhold from them that liberty, which is
the free gift of the Moft High to his rational
creatures ?
The upright in heart cannot fuceeed; . the
wicked in their wickednefs ; nor is it confo-
n mt to the life they live, to hold faft an ad
vantage unjuftly gained.
The Negroes who live by plunder, and the
Slave-trade, fteal poor innocent children, in
vade their neighbours territories, and fpill
much blood to get thefe Slaves:, and can it
be poifible for an honeft man to think that,
with a view to felf-intereft, we may continue
flavery to the offspring of thefe unhappy
fufferers, merely becaufe they are c the chil-,
dren of flaves, and not have a Share of this
guilt? It

Keeping of NEGROES. 321
It is granted by many, that the means ufed
in getting them are unrighteous, and that
buying them, when brought here, is wrong ;
yet as fettmg them free is attended with fome
difficulty, they do not comply with it ; but
feem to be of the opinion, that to give them
food and raiment, and keep them fervants,
without any other wages, is the beft' way to
manage them that they know of: and hoping
that their children after them will not be
cruel to the Negroes, conclude to leave them
as flaves to their children.
While prefent outward intereft is the chief
objed of our attention, we fhall feel many
objedions in our minds againft renouncing
our claim to them, as the children of flaves ;
for being prepoffeffed with wrong opinions,
prevents our feeing things clearly, which, to
indifferent perfons, are eafy to be feen.
Suppofe a perfon feventy years paft, in low
eircumftances, bought a Negroe man and
woman, and that the children of fuch perfon
are now wealthy, and have the children of
fuch flaves. Admit that the firft Negroe man
and his wife did as much bufinefs as their
mafter and miftrefs, and that the children of
the flaves have done fome more than their
young mafters : fuppofe, on^ the whole, that
the expence of living has been lefs on the
Negroes fide, than on the other (all which
are no improbable fuppofitions) it follows,
that in equity thefe Negroes have a right to a
part of this increafe ; that fhould fome diffi
culties arife on their being fet free, there is
reafon

322 CONSIDERATIONS on ?he
reafon for us patiently to labour through
them. As the condud of men varies, relating fo
civil fociety ; fo different treatment is juftly
due to them. Indifcrept men occafion trou
ble in the world -, and it remains to be the
care of fuch, who feek the good of mankind,
to admonifh as they find occafion.
The flothfulnefs of fome of them, in prp^
viding for themfelves and families, it is ljke-r
ly, would require the notice pf their npigh-r
bours ; nor is it unlikely that fome would,
with juftice, be made fervants, and others
punifhed for their crimes. Pure juftice points
out to each individual their due ; but to de-
ny a people the privilege of human creatures,
on a fuppofition that, being free, many ©f
them would be trouhbfome to us, is to mig
the condition of good and bad men together,
and treat the whole as the worft pf them de-
ferve. If we ferioufly confider, that liberty is the
right of innocent men ; that the mighty God
is a refuge for the oppreffed ; that in reality
we are indebted to them ; that they being fet
free, are ftill liable to the penalties of our
laws, and as likely to have punifhment for
their crimes as other people : this may an
fwer all our objedions. And to retain them
in perpetual fervitude, without juft caufe for
it, will produce effeds, in the event, more
grievous than fetfing them free would do,
when a real love tp truth and equity was the
motive to it, Our

Keeping of NEGROES. 323
Our authority over them ftands originally
in a purehafe made from thofe who, as to the
general, obtained theirs by unrighteoufnefs.
Whenever we have recourfe to fuch authori
ty, it tends more or lefs to obftrud the chan
nels, through which the perfed plant in us
receives nourishment.
There is a principle, whbh is pure, placed
in the human mind, which in different places
and ages hath had different names ; it is,
however, pure, and proceeds from God. — It
is deep, and inward, confined to no forms of
religion, nor excluded from any, where the
heart ftands in perfed fincerity. In whomfo-
ever this takes root, and grows, of what nati
on foever, they become brethren, in the befl
fenfe of the expreffion. Ufing ourfelves to
take ways which appear moft eafy to us,
when inconfiftent with that purity, which is
without beginning, we thereby fet up a go
vernment of our own, and deny obedience to
him, whofe fervice is true liberty.
He that hath a fervant, made fo wrongful
ly, and knows it to be fo, when he treats
him otherwife than a free man, when he
reaps the benefit of his labour, without pay
ing him fuch wages as are reafonably due to
free men for the like fervice, cloaths except
ed ; thefe things, tho' done in calmnefs,
without any fhew of diforder, do yet deprave
the mind in like manner, and with as great
certainty, as prevailing cold congeals water.
Thefe fteps taken by mafters, and their con
dud ftriking the minds of their children, whilft

324 CONSIDERATIONS on the
whilft young, leave lefs room for that whic
is good to work upon them. The cuftoms of
their parents, their neighbours, and the peo
ple with whom they converfe, working upon
their minds ; and they, from thence, conceiv
ing ideas of things, and modes of condud,
the entrance into their hearts becomes, in a
great meafure, Shut up againft the gentle
movings of uncreated purity.
From one age to another, the gloom grows
thicker and darker, till error gets eftablifhed
by general opinion ; that whoever attends to
perfed goodnefs, and remains under the
melting influence of it, finds a path unknown
to many, and fees the neceflity to lean upon
the arm pf divine ftrength, and dwell alone,
or with a few, in the right committing their
paufe to him, who is a refuge for his people,
in all their troubles.
Where, through the agreement of a mul
titude, fome channels of juftice are flopped,
and men may Support their charaders as juft
men, by being juft to a party, there is great
danger of contrading an alliance with that
fpirit, which ftands in oppcfition to the God
pf love, and fpreads difcord, trouble, and
vexation among fuch who give up to the in
fluence of it.
Negroes are our fellow creatures, and their
prefent condition amongft us requires our
ferious confideration, We know not the
time when thofe fcales, in which mountains
are weighed, may turn. The Parent of
mankind is gracious : his care is over his
fmalleft

Keeping of NEGROES. 325
fmalleft creatures ; and a multitude of men
efcape not his notice : And though many of
them are trodden down, and defpifed, yet
he remembers them : he feeth their afflidion,
and looketh upon the fpreading increafing ex
altation of the oppreflbr. He turns the chan
nels of power, humbles the moft haughty
people, and gives deliverance to the oppref
fed, at fuch periods as are confiftent with his
infinite juftice and goodnefs. And wherever
gain is preferred to equity, and wrong things
publickly encouraged to that degree, that
wickednefs takes root, and fpreads wide
amongft the inhabitants of a country, there
is real caufe for forrow to all fuch, whofe
love to mankind ftands on a true principle,
and who wifely confider the end and event
of things.

I N

CONSIDERATIONS 0 N
PURE WISDOM, pp HUMAN POLICY;
O N
LABOUR; O N
SCHOOLS; And on the right use ofthe
LORD'S OUTWARD GIFTS.
Firft printed in the Year 1768.

James iii. 17.
The wifdom that is from above, is firft pure,
then peaceable, gentle, and eafy to be intreated,
full of mercy, and good fruits, without partia
lity, and without hypocrify.
INTRODUCTION.
J\/JT mind hath often been affecfed with for
row, on account of the prevailing qf that
fpirit, which leads from an humble waiting on
the inward teaching of Chrift, to purfue ways
of living, attended with unneceffary labour, and
¦yubich draws forth the minds qf many peo-

INTRODUCTION. 327
pie to feek after outward power, and to ftrive
for riches, which frequently introduce oppreffion,
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 vifit me in my youth, and wrought a
belief in me, that through true obedience a ftate
of inward purity may be known in this life, in
which we may love mankind in the fame love
with which our Redeemer loveth us, and there
in learn refignation to endure hardfhips, for the
real good of others.
" 'While the eye is fingle, the whole body is
" full of light ," Mat. vi. 22. but for want of
this, felfifh deftres, and an imaginary fuperiori-
ty, darken the mind; hence injuftice frequently
proceeds ; and where this is the cafe, to con
vince the judgment, is the moft effeBual remedy.
Where violent meafures are purfued in oppqfing
injuftice, the paffions, and refentments qf the in
jured, frequently operate in the profecution of
their defigns ; and after conftiBs produBive of
very great calamities, the minds qf 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 oppreffion
perfevere in the meek fpirit , and abide firm in
the caufe qf truth, without aBively complying
with oppreffive demands, through thofe the
Lord hath often manifefted his power, in open
ing the underftandings of others, to the promot
ing righteoufnefs in the earth. A time,

328 INTRODUCTION.
A time, I believe, is coming, wherein this
divine work will fo fpread ana prevail, that
" Nation ftjall not lift up fword againft nation,
" nor learn war any more," Ifaiah ii. 4. And
as we, through the tender mercies of God, do
feel that this precious work is begun, I am con
cerned to encourage my brethren and fifter s in a
holy care and diligence, that each of us may fo
live • under the fanBifying power qf truth, as
to be redeemed from all unneceffary cares ; that
our eye being ftngle to him, no cuftoms, however
prevalent, which are contrary to the wifdom
from above, may hinder us from faithfully fol
lowing his holy leadings, in whatfoever he may
gracioufly appoint for us.

CON-

CONSIDERATIONS

O N

PURE WISDOM,
AND
HUMAN POLICY.
TO have our truft fettled in the Lord,
and not to feek after, nor defire out
ward treafures, any further than his holy
fpirit leads us therein, is a happy ftate, as
faith the prophet, " Bbffed is the man that
" trufteth in the Lord, and whofe hope the
" Lord is."
Pure wifdom leads people into lowlinefs of
mind, in which they learn refignation to the
divine will, and contentment in fuffering for
his caufe, when they cannot keep a clear con
fcience without fuffering.
In this pure wifdom the mind is attentive
to the root, and original fpring of motions
and defires ; and as we know " the Lord to
" be our refuge," and find no fafety, but in
humbly walking before him; we feel an holy
engagement,, that every defire which leads
therefrom may be brought to judgment.
While we proceed in this precious way,
and find ardent longings for a full deliverance from

330 On PURE WISDOM,
from every thing which defibs, all profpeds
of gain, that are not confiftent with the wif
dom from above, are confidered as fnares,
and an inward concern is felt, that we may
live under the crofs, and faithfully attend to
that holy fpirit, which is fufficient to pre-
ferve out of them.
When I have confidered that faying of
Chrift, Mat. vi. 19, " Lay not up for your-
" felves treafures upon earth," his omnipo
tence hath often occurred to my mind.
While we believe that he is every where
prefent with his people, and that perfed
goodnefs, wifdpttl ano: power, are united in
hirn, how comfortable is the confideration.
Our wants may be great, but his power
is greater. We may be oppreffed arid defpif-
erl, but he is able to turn our patient fuffer
ings into profit to OUrfelves, and to the ad
vancement of his work on earth. His
people, who feel the power of his crofs, to
crucify all that is felfifh in them, who are
engaged irt outward concerns, from a con
vincement that it is their duty, and refign
themfelves, and their treafures, to him ; thefe
feel that it is dangerous to give way to that
in Us, which craves riches and greatnefs in
this world.
As the heart truly contrite, earneftly de
fires " to know Chrift, and the fellowfhip
" of his fufFerings," Phil. iii. 10, fo far as
the Lord for gracious1 ends may lead into
them ; as fuch feel that it is their intereft to
put their truft in God, and to feek no gairi but

And HUMAN POLICY. 331
but that which he, by his holy fpirit, leads
into ; fo, on the contrary, they who do not
reverently wait for this divine teacher, and
are not humbly concerned, according to their
meafure, " to fill up that Which is behind of
" the afflidions of Chrift," Col. i, 24, in
patiently fuffering for the promoting righte
oufnefs in the earth ; but have an eye toward
the power of men, and the outward advan
tage of Wealth, thefe are often attentive to
thofe employments which appear profitable,
even though the gains arife from fuch trade
and bufioefs which proceeds from the work
ings of that fpirit, which is eftranged from
the felf-denying life of an humble contrite
chriftian. While I write on this fubjed, I feel my
mind tenderly affeded toward thofe honeftly
difpofed people, who have been brought up
in employments attended with thofe diffi
culties. To fuch I may fay, in the feeling of our
heavenly Father's love, and number myfelf
with you, O that our eyes may be fingle to
the Lord ! may we reverently wait on him
for ftrength, to lay afide all unneceflary ex-
pence of every kind, and learn contentment,
in a plain fimple life.
May we, in lowlinefs, fubmit to the lead
ings of his fpirit, and enter upon any out
ward employ which he gracioufly points out
to us, and then whatever difficulties arife, in
confequence of our faithfulnefs, I truft they
will work for our good. Small

332 On PURE WISDOM,
Small treafure to a refigned mind is fuffi-
cient. 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 wifdom of this world,
had no refemblance of true wifdom, the name
of wifdom, I fuppofe, had not been given
to it.
As wafting outward fubftance, to gratify
vain defires, on one hand; fo flpthfulnefs
and negled, on the other, do often involve
men and their families in trouble, and reduce
them to want and diftrefs ; to fhun both thefe
oppofite vices, is good in itfelf, and hath. a
refemblance of wifdom ; but while people
thus provident, have it principally in view to
get riches, and power, and the friendfhip of
this world, and do not humbly wait for the
fpirit of truth to bad them in purity ; thefe,
through an anxious care to obtain the end
defired, reach forth for gain in worldly wif
dom, and, in regard, to their inward ftate,
fall into divers temptations and fnares. And
though fuch may think of applying wealth
to good purpofes, and to ufe their power to
prevent oppreffion, ;yet -wealth and power is
often applied otherwife ; nor can we depart
from the leadings of our holy fhepherd, with
out going into confufion.
Great wealth is frequently attended with
power4 which nothing but divine love can
qualify the mind to ufe rightly ; and as to
the humility, and uprightnefs of our chil-
-.a-.'-.. dren

And HUMAN POLICY. 333
dren after us, how great is the uncertainty !
If, in acquiring wealth, we take hold on the
wifdom which is from beneath, and depart
from the leadings of truth, and example our
children herein, we have great caufe to ap
prehend, that wealth may be a fnare to
them ; and prove an injury to others, over
whom their wealth may give them power.
To be redeemed from that wifdom which
is from beneath, and walk in the light of the
Lord, is a precious fituation ; thus his people
are brought to put their truft in him ; and in
this humble confidence in his wifdom, good
nefs and power, the righteous find a refuge
in adverfities, fuperior to the greateft out
ward helps, and a comfort more certain than
any worldly advantages can afford.

On LABOUR.
HAVING from my childhood teen ufed
to bodily labour for a living, I may
exprefs my experience therein.
Right exercife affords an innocent pleafure
in the time of it, and prepares us to enjoy
the fweetnefs of reft ; but from the extremes
each way, arife inconveniences.
Moderate exercife opens the pores, gives
the blood a lively circulation, and the better
enables us to judge rightly refpeding that
portion of labour which is the true medium.
Z "The

334 On LABOUR.
" The fowls of the air fow not, nor gather
" into barns, yet our heavenly Father feed-
" eth them," Matt. vi. 26; nor do 1 believe
that infinite goodnefs and power would have
allotted labour to us, had he not feen that
labour- was proper for us in this life.
The original defign, and true medium of
labour, is a fubjed, that, to me, appears
worthy of our ferious confideration.
Idle men are often a burden to themfelves,
negbd the duty they owe to their families,
and become burdenfome to others alfo,
As outward labour, direded by the wif
dom from above, tends tp our health, and
adds to our happinefs in this life ; fo, on the
contrary, entering upon it in a felfifh fpirit,
and purfuing it too long, or too hard, hath a'
contrary effed.
I have obferved, that too much labour not
only makes the underftanding dull, but fo
intrudes upon the harmony of the body, that
after ceafing from our toil, we have another
to pafs through, before we can be fo com-
pofed as to enjoy the fweetnefs of reft.
From too much labour in the heat, fre
quently proceeds immoderate fweats, which
do often, I believe, open the way for difor-
ders, and impair our conftitutions..
When we go beyond the true medium,
and feel wearinefs approaching, but think
bufinefs may fuffer if we ceafe, at fuch a
time fpirituous liquors are frequently taken,
with a view to fupport nature under thefe
fatigues. 1 have

On LABOUR. 335
I have found that too much labour in the
fummer heats the blood, that taking ftrong
drink to fupport the body under fuch labour,
increafeth that heat, and though a perfon
may be fo far temperate as not to manifeft
the baft diforder, yet the mind, in fuch a cir-
cumftance, doth not retain that calmnefs and
ferenity, which we fhould endeavour to live
in. Thus toiling in the heat, and drinking
ftrong liquor, makes men more refolute, and
lefs confiderate, and tends very much to dif-
qualify from fuccefsfully following him who
is meek and low of heart.
As laying out bufinefs, more than is con
fident with pure wifdom, is an evil, fo this
evil frequently leads into more. Too much
bufinefs leads to hurry. In the hurry and
toil too much ftrong drink is often ufed, and
hereby many proceed to noife and wanton
nefs, and feme, tho' more confiderate, do
often fuffer lofs, as to a true compofednefs of
mind. I feel fincere defires in my heart that no
rent, nor intereft, might be laid fo high as
to be a fnare to tenants. That no defires of
gain may draw any too far in bufinefs. That
no cares to fupport cuftoms, which have not
their foundation in pure wifdom, may have
place in our minds, but that we may build
on the fure foundation, and feel our holy
fhepherd to lead us, who alone is able to pre-
ferve us, and bring forth from every thing
which defibs. Z 2m Having

336 On LABOUR.
Having feveral times, in my travels, had
opportunity to obferve the labour and man
ner of life of great numbers of flaves, it ap
pears to me that the true medium is lament
ably negleded by many, who aflign them
their portion of labour.
Without faying much at this time, con
cerning buying and felling men for term of
life, who have as juft a right to liberty as we
have ; nor about the great miferies, and ef-
fufion of blood, confequent to promoting the
flave-trade ; and to fpeak as favourably as
may be, with regard to continuing thofe in
bondage who are amongft uS, we cannot fay
there is no partiality in it : for whatever ten
dernefs may be manifefted by individuals in
their life time toward them, yet for people
to be tranfmitted from a man to his pofterity,
in the helplefs condition of flaves, appears
inconfiftent with the nature of the gofpel fpi
rit. From fuch proceedings it often follows,
that perfons in the decline of life, are de
prived of monies equitably due to them, and
committed to the care, and fubjeded to the
abfolute power of young unexperienced men,
who know but little about the weaknefs of
old age, nor underftand the language of de
clining life.
Where parents give their eftates to their
children, and then depend on them for a
maintenance, they fometimes meet with great
inconveniences ; but if the power of poffef
fion, thus obtained, doth often rcverfe the
obligations of gratitude and filial duty, and
makes

On LABOUR. 337
makes manifeft, that youth are often igno
rant of the language of old age, how hard is
the cafe of antient Negroes, who, deprived
of the wages equitably due to them, are left
to young people, who have been ufed to look
upon them as their inferiors.
For men to behold the fruits of their labour
withheld from them, and poffeffed by others,
and in old age find themfelves deftitute of
thofe comfortable accommodations, and that
tender regard which their time of life re
quires :
When they feel pains, and ftiffnefs in their
joints and limbs, weaknefs of appetite, and
that a little labour is wearifome, and ftill be
hold themfelves in the negbded uncomfort
able condition of a flave, and oftentimes to
a young unfympathifing man.
For men to be thus treated from one gene
ration to another, who, befides their own
diftrefles, think on the flavery entailed on
their pofterity, and are grieved ! what dif
agreeable thoughts muft they have of the
profeffed followers of Jefus ! and how muft
their groans afcend to that almighty being,
who "will be a refuge for the oppreffed,"
Pfaim ix. 9.

O

[ 338 ]
On SCHOOLS.
Suffer the little children to come unto me, and
forbid them not, for of fuch is the kingdom of
God, Mark x. 14.
TO encourage children to do things with
a view to get praife of men, to me ap
pears an obftrudion to their being inwardly
acquainted with the fpirit of truth. For it
is the work of the Holy Spirit to dired the
mind to God, that in all our proceedings
we may have a fingle eye to him. To give
alms in fecret, to faft in fecret, and labour
to keep clear of that difpofition reproved by
our Saviour, " But all their works they dp
" for to be feen of men." Matt, xxiii. 5.
That divine light which enlightens all men,
I believe, does often fhine in the minds of
children very early, and to humbly wait for
wifdom, that our condud toward them may
tend to forward their acquaintance with it,
and ftrengthem them in obedience thereto,
appears to me to be a duty on all of us.
By cherifhing the fpirit of pride, and the
love of praife in' them, I believe they may
fometimes improve fafter in learning, than
otherwife they would, but to take meafures
to forward children in learning, which na
turally tend to divert their minds from true
humility, appears to me to favour of the wif
dom of this world, If

On SCHOOLS. 339
If tutors are not acquainted with fandifi-
cation of fpirit, nor experienced in an hum
ble waiting for the leadings of truth, but
follow the maxims of the wifdom of this
world, fuch children who are under their tu
ition, appear to me to be in danger of im
bibing thoughts, and apprehenfions, reverfe
to that meeknefs, and lowlinefs of heart,
which is neceffary for all the true followers of
Chrift. Children at an age fit for fehools, are in a
time of life which requires the patient atten
tion of pious people, and if we commit, them
to the tuition of fuch, whofe minds we be
lieve are not rightly prepared to " train them
" up in the nurture and admonition of the
" Lord," we are in danger of not ading 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 ourfelves,
left we get entangled in the wifdom of this
world, and, through wrong apprehenfions,
take fuch methods in education, as may
prove a great injury to the minds of our
children. It is a lovely fight to behold innocent chil
dren ! and when they are fent to fuch fehools
where their tender minds are in imminent
danger of being led aftray by tutors, who do
not live a felf-denying life, or by the conver
fation of fuch children who do not live in in
nocence, it is a cafe much to be lamented. While

340 On SCHOOLS.
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
fpirit in which he bads and governs, works
on t^fce minds of fuch who are not hardened,
and his labours not only tend to bring them
forward in outward Laming, but to open
their understandings with refped to the true
chriftian life ; but where a perfon hath charge
of too many, and his thoughts and time are
fo much employed in the outward affairs of
his fchool, that he does not fo weightily at
tend to the fpirit and condud of each indivi
dual, as to be enabled to adminifter rightly to
all in due feafon ; through fuch omiffion he
not only fuffers, as to the ftate of his own
mind, but the minds of the children are in
danger of fuffering alfo.
To watch the fpirit of children, to nurture
them in gofpel love, and labour to help them
againft 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 lafting benefit, and our own
peace, but alfo to render their company
agreeable to us.
Inftrudion, thus adminiftered, reaches the
pure witnefs in the minds of fuch children
who are not hardened, and begets love in
them toward thofe 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 chil
dren,

On S C H O O L S. 341
dren, there is danger of diforders gradually
increafing amongft them, till the effeds there
of appear in their condud, too ftrong to be
eafily remedied.
A care hath lived on my mind, that more
time might be employed by parents at home,
and by tutors at fchool, in weightily attend
ing to tbe fpirit and inclinations of children,
and that we may fo lead, inftrud, 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 fituation of fehools in
our provinces, my mind hath, at times, been
affeded with forrow, and under thefe exer
cifes it hath appeared to me, that if thofe
who have large eftates, were faithful ftew-
-ards, and laid no rent, nor intereft, nor other
demand, higher than is confiftent with uni
verfal love ; and thofe in lower eircumftan
ces, would, under a moderate employ, fhun
unneceffary expence, even to the fmalleft ar
ticle ; and all unite in humbly feeking to the
Lord, he would gracioufly inftrud us, and
ftrengthen us, to relieve the youth from
various fnares, in which many of them are
entangled.

On

1 [ 342 J:
On the right Use ofthe LORD's
outward Gifts.
S our understandings are opened by the
pure light, we experience that, through
an inward approaching to God, the mind is
ftrengthened in obedience ; and that by gra
tifying thofe defires which are not of his be
getting, thofe approaches to him are obftrud-
ed, and the deceivabb fpirit gains ftrength.
Thefe truths, being as it were engraven
upon our hearts, and our everlafting intereft
in Chrift evidently concerned herein, we be
come fervently engaged, that nothing may
be nourifhed which tends to feed pride or
felf-love in us. Thus in pure obedience we
are not only inftruded in our duty to God,
but alfo in the affairs which neceffarily re
late to this life, and the fpirit of truth which
guides into all truth, leavens the mind with
a pious concern, that " whatfoever we do in
" word or dted, may be done in his name,"
Col. iii. 17.
Hence fuch buildings, furniture, food, and
raiment, as befl anfwer our neceflities, and
are the baft likely to feed that felfifh fpirit
which is our enemy, are the moft acceptable
to us.
In this ftate the mind is tender, and in
wardly watchful, that the love of gain draw
us not into any bufinefs, which may weaken
our love to our heavenly father, or bring un
neceffary trouble to any of his creatures. Thus

On the RIGHT USE, &c. 343
Thus the way gradually opens to ceafe
from that fpirit which craves riches and things
fetched far, which fo mixeth with the cuf
toms of this world, and fo 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 fettled in a fteady
concern, not to hold nor poffefs any thing
but what may be held confiftent with the wif
dom from above, they confider what they
poffefs as the gift of God, and are inwardly
exercifed, that in all parts of their conduct
they may ad agreeable to the nature of the
peaceable government of Chrift.
A little fupports fuch a life ; and in a ftate
truly refigned to the 'Lord, the eye is fingle,
to fee what outward employ he leads into,
as a means of our fubfiftence, and a lively
care is maintained to hold to that without
launching further.
There is a harmony in the feveral parts of
this divine work in the hearts of people ;
he who leads them to ceafe from thofe gain
ful employments, carried on in that wifdom
which is from beneath,, delivers alfo from the
defire after worldly greatnef , and reconciles
the mind to a life fo plain, that a little doth
fuffice. Here the real comforts of life are not bf-
fened. Moderate exercife, in the way of true
wifdom, is pleafant both to mind and body.
Food and raiment fufficient, though in the
greateft fimplicity, is accepted with content
and gratitude,
$ The

344 On the RIGHT USE of the
The mutual love, fubfifting between the
faithful followers of Chrift, is more pure than
that friendfhip which is not feafbned with
humility, how fpecious foever the appear
ance. Where people depart from pure wifdom in
one cafe, it is often an introdudion to depart
from it in many more ; and thus a fpirit
which feeks for outward greatnefs, and leads
into worldly wifdom to attain it, and fupport
it, gets poffeffion ofthe mind.
In beholding the cuftomary departure from
the true medium of labour, and that unne
ceffary toil which many go through, in fup-
porting outward greatnefs, and procuring
delicacies :
In beholding how the true calmnefs of life
is changed into hurry, and that many, by
eagerly purfuing outward treafure, are in
great danger of withering as to the inward
ftate of the mind :
In meditating on the works of this fpirit,
and on the defolations it makes amongft the
profeffbrs of chriftianity, I may thankfully
acknowledge, that I often feel pure love be
get longings in my heart, for the exaltation
ofthe peaceable kingdom of Chrift, and an
engagement to labour according to the gift
beftowed on me, for the promoting an hum
ble, plain, temperate way of living : a life
where no unneceffary cares, nor expences,
may encumber our minds, nor leffen our
ability to do good ; where no defires after
riches, or greatnefs, may lead into hard deal ing 5

LORD'S OUTWARD GIFTS. 345
ing; where no connedions with worldly-
minded men, may abate our love to God,
nor weaken a true zeal for righteoufnefs : a
life, wherein we may diligently labour for re-
fignednefs to do, and fuffer, whatever our
heavenly father may allot for us, in recon
ciling the world to himfelf.
When the prophet Ifaiah had uttered his
vifion, and declared that a time was coming
wherein " fwords fhould be beat into plow-
" fhares, and fpears into pruning hooks, and
" that nation fhould not lift up fword againft
" nation, nor learn war any more;" he im
mediately directs the minds of people to the
divine teacher, in this remarkable language,
" O houfe of Jacob, come ye and let us walk
" in the light ofthe Lord," Ifaiah ii. 5.
To wait for the diredion of this light, in
all temporal as well as fpiritual concerns, ap
pears neceffary ; for if in any cafe we enter
lightly into temporal affairs, without feeling
this fpirit of truth to open our way therein,
and through the love of this world proceed
on, and feek for gain by that bufinefs or
traffic, which " is not of the father, but of
" the world," 1 John ii. 16, we fail in our
teftimony to the purity and peace of his go
vernment ; and get into that which is for
chaftifement. This matter hath lain heavy on my mind,
it being evident, that a life lefs humble, lefs
fimple and plain, than that which Chrift
leads his fheep into, does neceffarily require
a fupport, which pure wifdom does not pro vide

346 On the RIGHT USE of the
vide for; hence there is no probability of our
being " a peculiar people, fo zealous of good
" works, as to have no fellowfhip with works
" of darknefs," Titus ii. 14 Ephef. v. 11,
while we have wants to fupply which have
their foundation in cuftom, and do not come
within the meaning of thofe expreflions,
" your heavenly father knoweth that ye have
" need of all thefe things," Matt. vi. 32.
Thefe things which he beholds neceffary
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, fo imaginary wants are different
" from thefe things which he knoweth that
" we have need of."
As my meditations have been on thefe
things, compaflion hath filled my heart to
ward my fellow creatures, involved in cuf
toms, grown up in " the wifdom of this
" world, which is foolifhnefs with God,"
1 Cor. iii. 19 ; and O that the youth may be
fo thoroughly experienced in an humble
walking before the Lord, that they may be his
children, and know him to be their refuge,
their fafe unfailing refuge! through the vari
ous dangers attending this uncertain ftate of
being. If thofe whofe minds are redeemed from
the love of wealth, and who are content with
a plain fimple way of living, do yet find that
to condud the affairs of a family, without
giving countenance to unrighteous proceed ings,

LORD'S OUTWARD GIFTS. 347
ings, or having fellowfhip with works of
darknefs, the moft diligent care is neceffary :
If cuftoms, diftinguifhabb from univerfal
righteoufnefs, and oppofite to the true felf-
denying life, are now prevalent, and fo mix
ed with trade, and with almoft every em
ploy, that it is only through humble waiting
on the inward guidance of truth, that we
may reafonably hope to walk fafely, and fup
port an uniform teftimony to the peaceable
government of Chrift :
If this be the cafe, how lamentably do they
expofe themfelves to temptations, who give
way to the love of riches, conform to expen-
five living, and reach forth for gain, to fupport
cuftoms, which our holy fhepherd leads not
into.

CON-

CONSIDERATIONS

ON THE

TRUE HARMONY

O F

MANKIND;

AND HOW IT IS TO BE MAINTAINED.

Firft printed in the Year 1 7 70.

M I C A H V. 7.
And the remnant of Jacob fhall be in the
midft of many people, as a dew from the Lordt
as the fhowers upon the grafs, that tarrieth
not for man, nor waitethfor thefons of men.
A a

A1

INTRODUCTIO PC
'S mankind from one parent are divided into-
many families, and as trading to fea is
greatly increafed within a few ages p aft ; amidft
this extended commerce, how neceffary is it that
the profeffed followers of Chrift keep f acred his
holy name, and be employed about trade and
traffic no farther than juftice and equity evi
dently accompanies f that we may give no juft
caufe of offence fo any, however diftant, or un
able to plead their own caufe -, and may continu
ally keep in view, the fpreading of the- true and
faving knowledge qf God, and his fon Jefus
Chrift, amongft our fellow creatures, which
through his infinite love, fome feel to be more
precious than any other treafure.
C H A P. I.
On ferving the Lord in our outward employ
ments.
UNDER the humbling difpenfations of
the Father of mercies, I have felt an
inward labour for the good of my fellow crea
tures, and a concern that the holy fpirit,
which alone can reftore mankind to a ftate of
true harmony, may with finglenefs of heart
be waited for and followed.
I truft there are many under that vifitation,
which, if faithfully attended to, will make
them quick of underftanding in the fear of
the Lord, and qualify with firmnefs to
be

On serving the LORD, &c. 3^1
be true patterns of the chriftian life, who in
living and walking may hold forth an invita
tion to others, to come out of the entangle
ments of the fpirit of this world.
And that which I feel firft to exprefs is, a
care for thofe who are in eircumftances,
which appear difficult, with refped to fup-
porting their families in a way anfwerable to
pure wifdom, that they may not be difcou-
raged, but remember that in humbly obey
ing the leading of Chrift, he owneth us as
his friends, " Ye are my friends if ye do
" whatfoever I command you ;" and to be 'a
friend to Chrift, is to be united to him, who
hath all power in heaven and in earth ; and
tho' a woman may forget her fucking child,
yet will he not forget his faithful ones.
The condition of many who dwell in cities
hath often affeded me with a brotherly fym-
pathy, attended with a defire that refignati
on may be laboured for ; and where the holy
leader diredeth to a country life or fome
change of employ, he may be faithfully follow
ed ; for under the refining hand ofthe Lord I
have feen, that the inhabitants of fome cities
are greatly increafed through fome branches of
bufinefs which his holy fpirit doth not lead in
to, and that being entangled in thefe things,
tends to bring a cloud over the minds of
people convinced of the leadings of this
holy leader, and- obftruds the coming of
the kingdom of Chrift on earth as it is in
heaven. A a .a Now

552 On serving- the LORD in our
Now if we indulge a defire to imitate our
neighbours in thofe things which harmonife
not with the true chriftian walking, thefe en
tanglements may hold faft to us, and fome,,
who in an awakening time, feel tender feruples,
with refped to their manner of life, may look
on the example of others more noted in the
church, who yet may not be refined from eve
ry degree of drofs ; and by looking on thefe
examples, and defiring to fupport their fami
lies in a way pbafant to the natural mind,
there may be danger of the worldly wifdom
gaining ftrength in them, and of their depar
ture from that pure feeling of truth, which if
faithfully attended to, would teach contentment
in the divine will, even in a very low eftate.
One formerly fpeaking on the profitable-
nefs of true humility, faith, " He that trou
bles not himfelf with anxious thoughts for more
than is neceffary, lives little lefs than the life
of angels, whilft by a mind content with lit
tle, he imitates their want of nothing." Cave's
primitive ehriftianity, page 31.
" It is not enough, fays Tertullian, that a
chriftian be chafte and modeft, but he muft
appear to be fo : a virtue of which he fhould
have fo great a ftore, that it fhould flow from
his mind upon his habit, and break from the
retirements of his confcience, into the fuper-
ficies of his life. Same book, page 43.
" The garments we wear, fays Clemens,
ought to be mean and frugal — that is true
fimplicity of habit, which takes away what is
vain and fuperfluous ; that the befl and moft

Outward EMPLOYMENTS. 353
folid garment, which is the fartheft from cu-
riofity. Page 49.
Though the change from day to night, is
by a motion fo gradual as fcarcely to be per
ceived, yet when night is come we behold it
very different from the day ; and thus as
people become wife in their own eyes, and
prudent in their own fight, cuftoms rife up
from the fpirit of this world, and fpread by
little and little, till a departure from the fim
plicity that there is in Chrift, becomes as dif
tinguifhabb as light from darknefs, td fuch
who are crucified to the world.
Our holy fhepherd, to encourage his flock
in firmnefs and perfeverance, reminds them
of his love for them, *' As the father hath
" loved me, fo have I loved you ; continue ye
" in my love ;" and in another place gracioufly
points out the danger of departing therefrom,
by going into unfuitabb employments ; this he
reprefents in the fimilitude of offence from that
ufeful adive member, the hand ; and to fix
the inftrudion the deeper, names the right
hand, " If thy right hand offend thee cut it
" off and caft it from thee"— If thou feeleft
offence in thy employment, humbly follow
him who leads into all truth, and is a ftrong
and faithful friend to thofe who are refigned
to him.
Again, he points out thofe things which
appearing pbafant to the natural mind, are
not befl: for us, in the fimilitude of offence
from the eye, " If thy right eye offend thee
" pluck it out, and caft it from thee." To
pluck

354- On serving the LORD in our
pluck out the eye, or cut off the hand, is at
tended with fharp pain ; and how precious is
the inftrudion which our redeemer thus opens
to us, that we may not faint under the moft
painful trials, but put our truft in him, even
in him who fent an angel to feed Elijah in the
wildernefs ; who fed a multitude with a few
barley loaves, and is now as attentive to the
wants of his people as ever.
The prophet Ifaiah, reprefents the unrigh
teous doings ofthe Ifraelites toward the poor,
as the fruits of an effeminate life, " As for
" my people, children are their oppreffors,
" and women rule over them ; what mean ye
" that, ye beat my people to pieces, and grind
" the faces of the poor, faith the Lord God."
Then he mentions the haughtinefs of the
daughters of Sion, and enumerates many or
naments, as inftances of their vanity, to up
hold which, the poor were fo hardly dealt
with, that he fets forth their poverty, their
leannefs and inability to help themfelves,
in the fimilitude of a man maimed by violence
'or " beaten to pieces," and forced to endure
the painful operation of having his face gradu
ally 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 been engaged in
weighty converfation in the caufe of righte
oufnefs, the inftrudions I have received um-
der thefe exercifes, in regard to the true ufe
ofthe outward gifts of God, have made deep
and lafting impreflipns on my mind. I have.

Outward EMPLOYMENTS. 35^
I have here beheld, how the defire to pro
vide wealth, and to uphold a delicate life
hath grievoufly entangled many, and been
like fnares to their offspring ; and though
fome have been affeded with a fenfe of their
difficulties, and appeared defirous, at times,
to be helped out of them ; yet for want of
abiding under the humbling power of truth,
they have continued in thefe entanglements ;
for in remaining conformable to this World,
and giving way to a delicate life, this expen-
five way of living in parents and in children,
hath called for a large fupply, and in an-
fwering this call " the faces of the poor"
have been ground away, and made thin thro'
hard dealing.
There is balm, there is a phyfician ! and
O what longings do I feel ! that we may em
brace the means appointed for our healing,
know that removed which now minifters
caufe for the cries of many people to afcend to
heaven againft their oppreffors, and that we
may fee the true harmony reftored.
Behold " how good and how pbafant it is,
" for brethren to dwell together in unity."
The nature of this unity is thus opened by
the apoftle, " If we walk in the light, as
" Chrift is in the Light, we fhall have fel-
" lowfhip one with another, and the blood
" of Chrift will cleanfe us from all fin."
The land may be polluted with innocent
blood, which like the blood of Abel may cry
to the Almighty ; but thofe who " walk in
*' the light as Chrift is in the light," they
know

356 On serving the LORD in our
know the " lamb of God, who taketh away
>' fin." Walking is a phrafe frequently ufed in fcrip-
ture, to reprefent our journey through life,
and appears to comprehend the various affairs
and tranfadions properly relating to our be
ing in this world.
Chrift being the light, dwells always in the
light, and if our v/alking be thus, and in
every affair and concern we faithfully follow
this divine leader ; he preferves from giving
juft caufe for any to quarrel with us ; and
where this foundation is laid and mutually
kept to, by families converfant with each
other, the way is open for thefe comforts in
fociety, which our heavenly father intends
as a part of our happinefs in this world ; and
then we may experience the goodnefs, and
pbafantnefs of dwelling together in unity ;
but where ways of living take place, which
tend to oppreffion, and in the purfuit of
wealth, people do that to others which they
know would not be acceptable to themfelves,
either in exercifing an abfolute power over
them, or otherwife laying on them unequit
able burdens ; here a fear left that meafure
ftiould be meeted to them, which they have
meafured to others, incites a care to fupport
that by craft and cunning devices which
ftands not on the firm foundation of righte-?
pufnefs : thus the harmony of fociety is bro
ken, and from hence commotions and wars,
4q frequently arife in the world. " Come

Outward EMPLOYMENTS. 357
" Come out of Babylon, my people, that
" ye be not partakers of her fins, and that
" ye receive not of her plagues." Rev. xv. 3, 4.
This Babel, or Babylon, was built in the
fpirit of felf-exaltation : " Let us build us a
" city and a tower, whofe top may reach to
" heaven, and let us make us a name." Gen.
xi. 4. In departing from an humble truft in
God, and following a felfifh fpirit, 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 underftand. In Babel
the language is confounded.
This city is reprefented as a place of bufi
nefs, and thofe 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
imperfed ftate ; and as we faithfully attend
to the call, the path of righteoufnefs is more
and more opened ; cravings, which have not
their foundation in pure wifdom, more and
more ceafe ; and in an inward purity of
heart, we experience a reftoration of that
which was loft at Babel, reprefented by the
infpired 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

35 8 On serving the LORD> &c.
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 wife ;
and that in weaning us from all that is felf
ifh, he prepares the way to a quiet habitation
where all our defires are bounded by his wif
dom. And an exercife of fpirit attends me,
that we who are convinced of the pure lead
ings of truth, may bow in the deepeft reve
rence, and fo watchfully regard this leader,
that many who are grievoufly entangled in a
wildernefs of vain cuftoms, may look upon
us, and be inftruded. And O that fuch who
have plenty of this world's goods, may be
faithful in that with which they are entrust
ed ! and example others in the true chriftian
walking. Our bbffed Saviour, fpeaking on worldly
greatnefs, compares himfelf to one waiting
and attending on a company at dinner :
" Whether is greater, he that fitteth at meat
*' or he that ferveth ? Is not he that fitteth
11 at meat ? but I am amongft you as he that
" ferveth." Luke xxii. 27.
Thus in a world greatly difordered, where
men afpiring to outward greatnefs were wont
to opprefs others to fupport their defigns, he
who was of the higheft defcent, being the
Son of God, and greater than any amongft
the greateft families of men, by his example
and dodrines foreclofed his followers from
claiming any fhew of outward greatnefs, from any

* On t h e EXAMPLE o f C HRIST. 3 5 9
any fuppofed fuperiority in themfelves, or
derived from their anceftors.
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 flain of the fpirit of this
world. Such was the example of our bbffed Re
deemer, of whom the beloved difciple faid,
" He that faith he abideth in him, ought
" alfo to walk even as he walked."
John Bradford, who fuffered martyrdom,
under queen Mary, wrote a letter to his
friends out of prifon, a fhort time before he
was burnt, in which are thefe expreffions ;
" Confider your dignity as children of God
and temples of the Holy Ghoft, and mem
bers of Chrift, be afhamed therefore to think,
fpeak, or do any thing unfeemly, for God's
children and the members of Chrift." Fox's
Ads and Monuments, page 1177.

CHAP. II.
On the example of CHRIST.
S 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 an-
fwerable to the purity of truth ; a labour of
' heart

360 On th e EXAMPLE o f CHRIST.
heart hath attended me, that their way may
not be made difficult through the love of mo
ney in thofe who are tried with plentiful
eftates, but that they with tendernefs of heart
may fympathize with them.
It was the faying of our bbffed Redeemer,
" Ye cannot ferve God and mammon."
There is a deep feeling of the way of purity,
a way in which the wifdom of the world hath
no part, but is opened by the fpirit of truth,
and is " called the way of holinefs ;" a way
in which the traveller is employed in watch
ing unto prayer ; and the outward gain we
get in this journey is confidered as a truft
committed to us, by him who formed and
fupports the world ; and is the rightful di-
redor of the ufe and application of the pro-
dud of it.
Now except the mind be preferved chafte,
there is no fafety for us ; but in an estrange
ment from true refignation, the fpirit of the
world cafts Up a way, in which gain is many
times principally attended to, and in which
there is a felfifh application of outward trea
fures. How agreeable to the true harmony of
fociety, is that exhortation of the apoftle ?
" Look not every man on his own things,
*' but every man alfo on the things of others,
" Let this mind be in you which Was alfo in
*' Chrift Jefus."
A perfon in outward profperity may have
the power of obtaining riches, but the fame
mind being in him which is in Chrift Jefus, he

On the EXAMPLE of CHRIST. 36 1
he may feel a tendernefs of heart towards
thofe of low degree ; and inftead of fetting
himfelf above them, may look upon it as an
unmerited favour, that his way through life
is more eafy than the way of many others ;
may improve every opportunity of leading
forth out of thofe cuftoms which have en
tangled the family ; employ his time in look
ing into the wants of the poor members, and
hold forth fuch a perfed example of humili
ation, that the pure witnefs may be reached
in many minds ; and the way opened for
a harmonious walking together.
Jefus Chrift, in promoting the happinefs
of others, was not deficient in looking for the
helplefs, who lay in obfcurity, nor did he
fave any thing to render himfelf honourable
amongft men, which might have been of
more ufe to the weak members in his Father's
family ; of whofe companion towards us I
may now fpeak a little. He who was per-
fedly happy in himfelf, moved with infinite
love, " took not upon him the nature of an-
" gels," but our imperfed natures, and
therein wreftled 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, fincere-heart
ed men ; and though he gave the cleareft
evidence that divine power attended him, yet
the moft unfavourable conftrudions were
framed by a. felf-righteous people ; thofe
miracles reprefented as the effed of a diabo
lical power, and endeavours ufed to render him

362 On the EXAMPLE o f CHRIST.
him hateful, as having his miflion from the
prince of darknefs ; nor did their envy ceafe
till they took him like a criminal, and brought
him to trial. Though fome may affed to
carry the appearance of being unmoved at
the apprehenfion of diftrefs, our dear Re
deemer, who was perfedly fincere, having
the fame 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 " forrowful
" even unto death ;" here the human nature
ftruggled to be excufed from a cup fo bitter ;
but his prayers centered in refignation, " Not
" my will but thine be done." In this con
flid, fo great was his agony, that " fweat
" 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
" tranfgreffors." Behold him as fome poor
man of no reputation, ftanding before the
high prieft and elders, and before Herod, and
Pilate, where witneffes appear againft him,
and he mindful of the moft gracious defign
of his coming, declineth to plead in his own
defence, " but as a fheep that is dumb be-
" fore his fhearer," fo under many accufati-
ons, revilings, and bufferings, remained fi-
lent. And tho' he fignified to Peter that he
had accefs to power fufficient to overthrow all
their outward forces ; yet retaining a refig
nation to fuffer for the fins of mankind, he
exerted not that power, but permitted them to

On t h e EXAMPLE o f CHRIST. 365
to go on in their malicious defigas, and pro
nounce him to be worthy of death, even him
who was perfed in go^nefs ; thus " in his
" humiliation his judgment was taken a-
" way," and he, like fome vile criminal,
" led as a lamb to the' flaughter." Under
thefe heavy trials (though poor unftabb Pilate
was convinced of his innocence, yet) the peo
ple generally looked upon him as a deceiver,
a blafphemer, and the approaching punifh-
ment as a juft judgment upon him, " They
" efteemed him fmitten of God and afflid-
" ed," So great had been the furprize of
his difciples, at his being taken by armed
men, that they " forfook him and fled ;"
thus they hid their faces from him, he. was
defpifed, and by their condud it appeared as
though " they efteemed him not."
But contrary to that opinion, of his being
fmitten of God and afflided, it was for our
fakes that " he was put to grief; he was
" wounded for our tranfgreffions ; he was
" bruifed for our iniquities ;" and under the
weight of them manifefting the deepeft com-
paffion for the inftruments of his mifery,
laboured as their advocate, and in the deeps
of afflidion, with an unconquerable pati
ence, cried out, " Father, forgive them, they
" know not what they do !"
Now this mind being in us, which was
in Chrift Jefus, it removes from our hearts
the defire of fuperiority, worldly honour or
greatnefs ; a deep attention is felt to the di
vine counfellor, and an ardent engagement to

364 On MERCHANDIZING.
to promote, as far as we may be enabled, the
happinefs of mankind univerfally ; this ftate,
where every motion from a felfifh fpirit
yieldeth to pure love, I may, with gratitude
to the father of mercies acknowledge, is of
ten opened before me as a pearl to dig after ;
attended with a living concern, that amongft
the many nations and families on the earth,
thofe who believe in the Mefliah, that " he
" was manifefted to deftroy the works of the
" Devil," and thus to " take away the fins
" of the world," may experience the will of
our heavenly Father, " may be done on earth
" as it is in heaven." Strong are the defires
I often feel, that this holy profeffion may re
main unpolluted, and the believers in Chrift
may fo abide in the pure inward feeling of
his fpirit, that the wifdom from above may
fhine forth in their living, as a light by which
others may be inftrumentally helped on their
, way, in the true harmonious walking.

CHAP. III.
On Merchandizing.
WHERE the treafures of pure love are
opened, and we obediently follow
him who is the light of life, the mind be
comes chafte; and a care is felt, that the
undion from the holy one may be our leader
in every undertaking. In

On MERCHANDIZING. 365
In being crucified to the world, broken
off from that friendfhip which is enmity with
God, and dead to the cuftoms and fafhions
which have not their foundation in the truth ;
the way is prepared to lowlinefs in outward
living, and to a difentangbment from thofe
fnares which attend the love of money ; and
where the faithful friends of Chrift are fo fi-
tuated that merchandize appears to be their
duty, they feel a reftraint 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 ourfelves, but to him who died for
" us." 2 Corin v. 15. Thus they are taught,
not only to keep to a moderate advance and
uprightnefs in their dealings ; but to confi
der the tendency of their proceeding ; to do
nothing which they know would operate
againft the caufe of univerfal righteoufnefs ;
and to keep Continually in view the fpreading
of the peaceable kingdom of Chrift amongft*
mankind. The prophet Ifaiah fpake of the gathered
church, in the fimilitude of a city, where
many being employed were all preferved in
purity ; " They mall call them the holy peo-
" pie; the redeemed of the Lord, and thou
" fhalt be called fought out, a city not for-
" faken." lxiii. 1.0. And the apoftle after
mentioning the myftery of Chrift's fufferings
exhorts, " Be ye holy in all manner of con-
" verfation." 1 Pet. . 15. There is a con
verfation neceffary in trade ; and there is a
B b conver-

366 On MERCHANDIZING,
converfation fo foreign from the nature of
Chrift's kingdom, that it is reprefented in the
fimilitude of one man pufhing another with
a warlike Weapon ; " There is that fpeaketh
" like the piercings of a fword." Prov. xii. 18.
Now in all our concerns it is neceffary that
the leading of the fpirit of Chrift be humbly
waited for and faithfully followed, as the on
ly means of being preferved chafte as an holy
people, who " in all things are circumfped."
Exod. xxiii. 13, that nothing we do may
carry the appearance of approbation of the
Works of wickednefs, make the unrighteous
more at eafe irt Unrighteoufnefs, or occafion
the injuries committed againft the oppreffed
to be more lightly looked over.
Where morality is kept to, and fupported
by the inhabitants of a country, there is a
certain reproach attends thofe individuals
amongft them, who manifeftly deviate there
from. Thus, if a perfon of good report, is
charged with flealing goods out of an open
fhop in the day time, and on a public trial
found guilty, and the law in that cafe put in
execution, he therein fuftalns a lofs of repu
tation ; but if he be convided a fecond and
third time of the like offence, his good name
would ceafe amongft fuch who knew thefe
things. If his neighbour, reputed an honeft
man, being charged with buying goods of
this thief, at a time when the purchafer knew
they were ftolen, and on a public trial is
found guilty, this purchafer would meet with
difefteem, butif he perfifted in buying ftolen
goods,

On MERCHANDIZING. 367
goods, knowing them to be fuch, and was
publicly convided thereof a fecond and third
time, he would no longer be confidered as an
honeft man by them who knew thefe things ;
nor would it appear of good report to be
found in his company, buying his traffick,
'till fome evident tokens of fincere repentance
appeared in him. But where iniquity is
committed openly, and the authors of it are
not brought to juftice, nor put to fhame,
their hands grow ftrong. Thus the general
corruption of the Jews fhortly before their
ftate was broke up by the Chaldeans, is de-
fcribed by their boldnefs in impiety ; for as
their leaders were conneded together in wick
ednefs, they ftrengthened one another, and
grew confident, " Were they afhamed when
" they had committed abominations ? nay,
" they were not at all afhamed, neither could
" they blufh." Jer. vi. 15, on which account
the Lord thus expoftulates with them, " What
** hath my beloved to do in my houfe, feeing
" fhe hath wrought lewdnefs with many ?
" and the holy flefh is paffed from thee,
" when thou doeft evil, then thou rejoiceft."
Jer. xi. 15.
Now the faithful friends of Chrift, , who
hunger and thirft after righteoufnefs, and in
wardly breathe that his kingdom may come
on earth as it is in heaven, he teacheth them
to be quick of underftanding in his fear, and
to be very attentive to the means be may ap
point for promoting pure righteoufnefs in the
earth ; and as fhame is due to thofe whofe
B b 2 works

368 On MERCHANDIZING.
works manifeftly operate againft the gracious
defign of his fufferings for us, a care lives on
their minds that no wrong cuftoms however
fupported, may biafs their judgments, but
that they may humbly abide under the crofs
and be preferved in a condud which may not
contribute to ftrengthen the hands of the
wicked in their wickednefs, or to remove
fhame from thofe to whom it is juftly due.
The coming of that day is precious in which
We experience the truth of this expreffion,
" The Lord our righteoufnefs." Jer. xiii. 6,
and feel him to be " made unto us wifdom
" and fandification."
The example of a righteous man is often
looked at with attention. Where righteous
men join in bufinefs their company gives en
couragement to others ; and as one grain of
incenfe deliberately offered to the prince of
this world, renders an offering to God in that
ftate unacceptable ; and from thofe efteemed
leaders of the people may be injurious to the
weak ; it requires deep humility of heart, to
follow him faithfully, who alone gives found
wifdom and the fpirit of true difcerning ; and
O how neceffary it is, to confider the weight
of a holy profeffion !
The condud of fome formerly, gave occa
fion of complaint againft them, " Thou haft
" defiled thy fanduaries by the multitude of
" thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy
" traffick." Ezek. xxviii.. 1 8, and in feveral
places it is charged againft Ifrael that they
had polluted the holy name. The

On MERCHANDIZING, 369
The prophet Ifaiah reprefents inWard fanc-
fification in the fimilitude of being purged
from that which is fuel for fire ; and particu
larly defcribes the outward fruits, brought
forth by thofe who dwell in this inward ho-
linefs, " they walk righteoufly, and fpeak
" uprightly. By walking he reprefents the
journey thro' life, as a righteous journey ;
and " by fpeaking uprightly," feems to point
at that which Mofes appears to have had in
view, when he thus expreffed himfelf, " Thou
" fhalt not follow a multitude to do evil,
" nor fpeak in a cafe to decline after many
" to wreft judgment." Exod. xxiii. 2.
He goes on to fhew their firmnefs in equity ;
•reprefenting them as perfons fuperior to all
the arts of getting money, which have not
righteoufnefs for their foundation; " They
¦*' defpife the gain of oppreffions :" And fur
ther fhews how careful they are that no pro
fpeds of gain may induce them to become
partial in judgment refpeding an injury ;
" They fhake their hands from holding
" bribes."Again, where any intereft is fo conneded
with fhedding blood, that the cry of inno
cent blood goes alfo with it ; he points out
their care to keep innocent blood from crying
againft them, in the fimilitude of a man flop
ping his ears to prevent a found from enter
ing his head, " They flop their ears from
" hearing blood ;" and where they know
that wickednefs is committed, he points out
with care, that they do not by an unguarded friendfhip

VJ.

370 On MERCHANDIZING
friendfhip with the authors of it, appear like
unconcerned lookers on, but as people fo
deeply affeded with forrow, that they cannot
endure to ftand by and behold it ; this he re
prefents in the fimilitude of a man " fhutting
" his eyes from feeing evil."
" Who amongft us fhall dwell with the de-
" vouring fire ? Who amongft us fhall dwell
" with everlafting burnings ? He that walk-
" eth righteoufly and fpeaketh uprightly. He
" that defpifeth the gain of oppreffions, that
" fhaketh his hands from holding of bribes,
" that ftoppeth his ears from hearing of blood,
" and fhutteth his eyes from feeing evil."
Ifaiah xxxiii. r4, 15.
He proceeds in the fpirit of prophecy to
fhew how the faithful being fupported under
temptations, would be preferved from that
defilement that there is in the bye of money ;
that as they who in a reverent waiting on
God, feel their ftrength renewed, are faid to
" mount upward ;" fo here their prefervation
" from the fnare of unrighteous gain, is repre
fented in the likenefs of a man, borne up
above all crafty, artful means of getting the
advantage of another, " They fhall dwell on
" high ; and points out the liability and
firmnefs of their condition, " His place of -
" defence fhall be the munitions of rocks ;"
and that under all the outward appearances
of lofs, in denying himfelf of gainful profits
for righteoufnefs fake, yet thro' the care
of him who provides for the fparrows, he
fhould have a fupply anfwerable to his infi nite

On MERCHANDIZING. 371
nite wifdom, " Bread fhall be given him,
" his waters fhall be fure." And as our Sar
viour mentions the fight of God to be attain
able by " the pure in heart," fo here the pro
phet pointed out, how in true fandification
the underftanding is opened, to behold the
peaceable harmonious nature of his kingdom,
" thine eyes fhall fee the king in his beauty :"
and that looking beyond all the afflidions
which attend the righteous, to " a habitati-
" on eternal in the heavens," they with an
eye divinely open " fhall behold the land that
" is very far off".
" He fhall dwell on high, his place of de-
" fence fhall be the munitions of rocks, bread
*' fhall be given him, his waters fhall be fure.
" Thine eyes fhall fee the king in his beauty;
" they fhall behold the land that is very far
" off." Ifaiah xxxiii. 16, 17.
I often remember, and to me the fubjed
is awful, that the great Judge of all the earth
doeth that which is right, and that he " be-
" fore whom the nations are as the drop of
" a bucket," is " no refpeder of perfons."
Happy for them, who like the infpired pro
phet, " in the way of his judgments wait
for him." Ifaiah xxvi. 8.
When we feel him to fit as a refiner with
fire, and know a refignednefs wrought in us,
to that which he appoints for us, his bleffing
in a very low eftate, is found to be more pre
cious than much outward treafure in thofe
ways of life where the leadings of his fpirit
are not followed.
The

372 On MERCHANDIZING.
The prophet in a fight of divine work
amongft many people, declared in the name
of the Lord, " I will gather all nations and
" tongues, and they fhall come and fee my
" glory." Ifaiah lxvi. 1 8. And again, " from
" the rifing of the fun to the going down of
" the fame, my name fhall be great amongft
" the Gentiles, and in every place incenfe
" fhall be offered to my name, and a pure
" offering." Malachi i. 1 1 .
Behold here how the prophets had an in
ward fenfe of the fpreading of the kingdom
of Chrift ; and how he was fpoken of as one
who fhould " take the heathen for his inhe-
" ritance, and the utmoft parts of the earth
" for his poffeffion." Pfal. ii. 8. That " he
" was given for a light to the Gentiles ; and
"xfor falvation to the ends of the earth."
Ifaiah xlix. 6.
When we meditate on this divine work, as
a work of ages ; a work that the prophets felt
long before Chrift appeared vifibly on earth,
and remember the bitter agonies he endured
when he " poured out his foul unto death,"
that the heathen nations, as well as otheis,
might come to the knowledge of the truth
and be faved.
When we contemplate on this marvellous
work, as that which " the angels defire tp
" look into." li Pet. i. 12. And behold peo
ple amongft whom this light hath eminently
broken forth, and who have received many
favours from the bountiful hand of our hea
venly Father; not only indifferent with re-r
fpedt

On MERCHANDIZING. 373
fped to publifhing the glad tidings amongft
the Gentiles, as yet fitting in darknefs and
entangled with many fuperftitions ; but a-
fpiring after wealth and worldly honours,
take hold of means to obtain their ends,
tending to ftir up wrath and indignation,
and to beget an abhorrence in them to the
name of chriftianity. When thefe things are
weightily attended to, how mournful is the
fubjed ?
It is worthy of remembrance, that people
in different ages, deeply baptized into the na
ture of that work for which Chrift fuffered,
have joyfully offered up their liberty and lives
for the promoting of it in the earth.
Policarp, who was reputed a difciple of St.
John, having attained to great age, was at
length fentenced to die for his religion, and
being brought to the fire, prayed nearly as
follows, " Thou God and Father of our
Lord Jefus Chrift, by whom I have received
the knowledge of thee! O God of the angels
and powers, and of every living creature,
and of all forts of juft men which live in thy
prefence. I thank thee that thou haft gra
cioufly vouchfafed this day and this hour to
allot me a portion among the number of
martyrs, among the people of Chrift, unto
the refurredion of everlafting life ; among
whom I fhall be received in thy fight, this
day, as a fruitful and acceptable facrifice,
wherefore for all this, I praife thee, I blefs
thee, I glorify thee thro' the everlafting
high Prieft, Jefus Chrift, thy well beloved fon ;

374 On MERCHANDIZING.
fon; to whom, with thee and the holy Ghoft,
be all glory, world without end. Amen.
Bifhop Latimer, when fentence of death
by fire, was pronounced againft him, on ac
count of his firmnefs in the caufe of religion,
he faid, " I thank God moft heartily ! that
he hath prolonged my life to this end ; that
I may, in this cafe glorify him by this kind
of death." Fox's Ads and Mon. 936.
William Dewfbery, who had fuffered much
for his religion, in his laft ficknefs, encou-"
raging his friends to faithfulnefs, made men
tion, like good old Jacob, of the loving kind
nefs of God to him in the courfe of his life,
and that thro' the power of divine love, he
for Chrift's fake had joyfully entered prifons.
See introdudion to his works.
I mention thefe, as a few examples, out of
many, of the powerful operation of the fpirit
of Chrift, where people are fully devoted to
it, and of the ardent longings in their minds
for the fpreading of his kingdom amongft
mankind. Now to thofe, in the prefent age,
who truly know Chrift, and feel the nature
of his peaceable government opened in their
understandings, how loud is that call where
with we are called to faithfulnefs; 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 facrifice on the crofs ; and that his peace
able dodrines may fhine thro' us in their
real harmony, at a time when the name of
chriftianity

On MERCHANDIZING. 375
chriftianity is become hateful to many of the
heathen. When Gehazi had obtained treafures, which
the prophet under divine diredion had refu-
fed, and was returned from the bufinefs ; the
prophet troubled at his condud, queried if
it was a time thus to prepare for a fpecious
living. " Is it a time to receive money and gar-
" ments, men fervants and maid fervants,
" the leprofy therefore of Naaman fhall cleave
" to thee and to thy feed for ever." 2 Kings
v. 26. And O that we may lay to heart the
condition of the prefent time ! and humbly
follow his counfel, who alone is able to pre
pare the way for a true harmonious walking
amongft mankind.

CHAP. IV.
On divine Admonitions.
SUCH are the perfedions of our heaven
ly Father, that in all the difpenfations of
his providence, it is our duty, " in every
" thing, to give thanks." Tho' from the
firft fettbment 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 wafte
fields of grain and grafs, where they have
appeared ; another kind, in great multitudes, working

376 On Divine ADMONITIONS.
working out of fight, in grafs ground, have
fo eat the roots, that the furface being loof-
ened from the foil beneath, might be taken
off in great fheets.
Thefe kind of devouring creatures appear
ing feldom, and coming in fuch multitudes,
their generation appears different from mofl
other reptiles, and by the prophet were call
ed " God's army fent amongft the people."
Joel ii. 25.
There have been tempefts of hail, which
have very much deftroyed the grain where
they extended. Thro' long drought in
fummer, grain in fome places hath been lefs
than half the ufual quantity -j-; and in the
continuance thereof, I have beheld with at
tention, from week to week, how drynefs
from the top of the earth, hath extended
deeper and deeper, while the corn and plants
have languifhed; and with reverence my
mind hath been turned toward him, who
being perfed in goodnefs, in wifdom and
power, doeth all things right. And after
long drought, when the fky hath grown dark
with a colbdion of matter, and clouds like
lakes of water hung over our heads, from
whence the thirfty land hath been foaked ; I
have at times, with awfulnefs, beheld the ve
hement operation of lightning, made fome
times to accompany thefe bleffipgs, as a mef-
fenger

f When crops fail, I often feel a tender care that the cafe of
poor tenants may be mercifully confidered.

On divine ADMONITIONS. 377
fenger from him who created all things, to
remind us of our duty in a right ufe of thofe
benefits, and give ftriking admonitions, that
we do not mifapply thofe gifts, in which an
Almighty power is exerted, in bellowing them
upon us.
When I have confidered that many of our
fellow-creatures fuffer much in fome places,
for want of the neceffaries of life, whilft thofe
who rub over them are too much given to
luxury, and divers vanities ; and behold the
apparent deviation from pure wifdom amongft
us, in the ufe of the outward gifts of God ;
thofe marks of famine have appeared like
humbling admonitions from him, that we
might be inftruded by gentle chaftifements,
and might ferioufly confider our ways : re-
membring that the outward fupply of life is
a gift from our heavenly Father, and that we
fhould no more venture to ufe, or apply his
gifts, in a way contrary to pure wifdom.
Should we continue to rejed thofe merciful
admonitions, and ufe his gifts at home, con
trary to the gracious defign of the giver, or
fend them abroad in a way of trade, which
the fpirit of truth doth not lead into ; and
fhould he whofe eyes are upon all our ways,
extend his chaftifements fo far as to reduce
us to much greater diftrefs than hath yet been
felt by thefe provinces ; with what forrow of
heart might we meditate on that fubjed,
" Haft thou not procured this unto thy felf,
" in that thou haft forfaken the Lord thy
" God, when he led thee by the way?
" Thine

378 On divine ADMONITIONS.
" Thine own wickednefs fhall corred thee,
" and thy backflidings fhall reprove thee:
" know therefore and fee, that it is an evil
" thing and bitter, that thou haft forfaken
" the Lord thy God, and that my fear is not
" in thee, faith the Lord God of hofts." Jer.
ii. 17, 19.
My mind hath often been affeded with
forrow, in beholding a wrong application of
the gifts of our heavenly Father ; and thofe
expreffions concerning the defilement of the
earth have been opened to my underftanding,
" The earth was corrupt before God, and-
" the earth was filled with violence." Gen.
vi. 1 1 . Again, Ifaiah xxiv. 5. " The earth
" alfo, is defiled under the inhabitants there-
" of, becaufe they have — broken the ever-
" lafting covenant."
The earth being the work of a divine pow
er, may not as fuch be accounted unclean ;
but when violence is committed thereon, and
the channel of righteoufnefs fo obftruded,
that " in our fkirts are found the blood of
" the fouls of poor innocents ; not by a fe-
" cret fearch, but upon all thefe," Jerem.
ii. 34.*
When blood, fhed unrighteoufly, remains
unatoned for, and the inhabitants are not
effedually purged from it, when they do not
wafh their hands in innocency, as was figur
ed in the law, in the cafe of one being found flain;
* See a caution and warning to Great-Britain and her colo
nies, page 31.

On divine ADMONITIONS. 379
flain; but feek for gain arifing from fcenes
of violence and oppreffion, here the land is
polluted with blood. Deut. xxi. 6.
Moreover, when the earth is planted and
tilled, and the fruits brought forth are appli
ed to fupport unrighteous purpofes ; here
the gracious defign of infinite goodnefs, in
thefe his gifts being perverted, the earth is
defiled ; and the complaint formerly uttered
becomes applicable; " Thou haft made me
" to ferve with thy fins ; thou haft wearied
" me with thine iniquities." Ifaiah xliii. 24.

THE END.

[ 38o ]
REMARKS O N
SUNDRY SUBJECTS-
Firft printed in London, 1773.
CHAP. I,
On loving our Neighbours as ourfelvesi
WHEN we love the Lord with all
our hearts, and his creatures in his
love, we are then preferved in tendernefs
both toward mankind and the animal creation;
but if another fpirit gets room in our minds,
and we follow it in our proceedings, we are
then in the way of difordering the affairs of
fociety. People may have no intention to opprefs,
yet by entering on expenfive ways of life,
their minds may be fo entangled therein, and
fo engaged to fupport expenfive cuftoms, as
to be eftranged from the pure fympathizing
fpirit.

On loving our NEIGHBOURS. 381
As I have travelled in England, I have had
a tender feeling ofthe condition of poor peo
ple, fome of whom, though honeft and in-
duftrious, have nothing to fpare toward pay
ing for the fchooling of their children.
There is a proportion between labour and
the neceffaries of life, and in trUe brotherly
love the mind is open to feel after the ne-
ceflities of the poon
Amongft the poor there are fome that are
weak through age, and others of a weakly
nature, who pafs through ftraits in very pri
vate life, without afking relief from the pub-
lick. Such who are ftrong and healthy may do
that bufinefs, which to the weakly may be
oppreflive ; and in performing that in a day
which is efteemed a day's labour, by weakly
perfons in the field and in the fhops, and by
weakly women who fpin and knit in the ma-
nufadories, they often pafs through wearinefs ;
and many fighs I believe are uttered in fecret,
unheard by fome who might eafe their bur
dens. Labour in the right medium is healthy,
but in too much of it there is a painful wea
rinefs; and the hardfhips of the poor are
fometimes increafed through want of more
agreeable nourifhment, more plentiful fewel
for the fire, and warmer cloathing in the
winter than their wages will anfwer.
When I have beheld plenty in fome houfes
to a degree of luxury, the condition of poor
children brought up without learning, and
C c the

382 On loving our NEIGHBOURS.
the condition of the weakly and aged, who
ftrive to live by their labour, have often re
vived in my mind, as cafes of which fome
who live in fulnefs need to be put in remem
brance. There are few, if any, could behold their
fellow-creatures lie long in diftrefs, and for
bear to help them, when they could do it
without any inconvenience ; but cuftoms re
quiring much labour to fupport them, do
often lie heavy on the poor, while they who
live in thefe cuftoms are fo entangled in a
multitude of unneceffary concerns, that they
think but little of the hardfhips which the-
poor people go through.
If a man fuccefsful in bufinefs expends
part of his income in things of no real ufe,
while the poor employed by him pafs through
. great difficulties in getting the neceffaries of
life, this requires his ferious attention.
If feveral principal men in bufinefs unite
in fetting the wages of thofe who work for
hire, and therein have regard to a profit to
themfelves anfwerabb to unneceffary expence
in their families, while the wages of the others
on a moderate induftry will not afford a com
fortable living for their families, and a pro
per education for their children ; this is like
laying a temptation in the way of fome to
ftrive for a place higher than they are in,
when they have not flock fufficient for it.
Now I feel a concern in the fpring of pure
love, that all who have plenty of outward
fubftance, may example others in the right ufe

On loving our NEIGHBOURS. 383
ufe Of things ; may carefully look into the
condition of poor people, and beware of ex-
ading on them with regard to their Wages.
While hired labourers, by moderate in-
duftry', through the divine bleffing, may live
comfortably, raife up families, and give them
fuitable education, it appears reafcnabfe 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 univerfally, their place
in fociety is a place of care, an office requir
ing attention, and the more we poffefs, the
greater is our truft, and with an increafe of
treafure, an increafe of care becomes necef
fary. When our will is fubjed 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 reft of our fellow
creatures, then outward treafures are no far
ther defirable than as we feel a gift in our
minds equal to the truft, and ftrength to ad
as dutiful children in his fervice, who hath
formed all mankind, and appointed a fub-
fiftence for us in this world.
A defire for treafures on any other motive,
appears to be againft that command of our
bleffed Saviour, " Lay not up for yourfelves
" treafures on earth, Matt. vi. 19.
He forbids not laying up in the fummer
againft the wants of winter; nor doth he
teach us to be flothful in that which properly
C c a relates

384 On loving our NEIGHBOURS.
relates to our being in this world; but in
this prohibition he puts in yourfelves " Lay
" not up for yourfelves treafures here on
" earth." Now in the pure light, this language is
underftood, for in the love of Chrift there is
no refped of perfons ; and while we abide in
his love, we live not to ourfelves, but to him
who died for us. And as we are thus united
in fpirit to Chrift, we are engaged to labour
in promoting that work in the earth for which
he fuffered.
In this ftate of mind our defires are, that
every honeft member in fociety may have a
portion of treafure, and fhare of truft, an
fwerabb to that gift, with which our hea
venly Father hath gifted us.
In great treafure, there is a great truft.
A great truft requireth great care.
But the laborious mind wants reft,
A pious man is content to do a fhare of
bufinefs in fociety, anfwerabb to the gifts
with which he is endowed, while the chan
nels of bufinefs are free from unrighteouf
nefs, but is careful left at any time his heart
be overcharged.
In the harmonious fpirit of fociety " Chrift
" is all in all." Col. iii. 11.
Here it is that " old things are paft away,
" ail things are new, all things are of God."
2 Cor. v. 17, 18. and the defire for outward
riches is at an end.
They of low degree who have fmall gifts,
enjoy their help who have large gifts ; thofe with

On loving our NEIGHBOURS. 385
with their fmall gifts, have a fmall degree of
care, while thefe with their large gifts, have
a large degree of care : and thus to abide in
the love of Chrift, and enjoy a comfortable
living in this world, is all that is aimed at by
thofe members in fociety, to whom Chrift is
made wifdom and righteoufnefs.
But when they who have much treafure,
are not faithful ftewards of the gifts of God,
great difficulties attend it.
Now this matter hath deeply affeded my
mind. The Lord, through merciful chaftife
ments, hath given me a feeling of that love,
in which the harmony of fociety ftandeth,
and a fight of the growth of that feed which
bringeth forth wars and great calamities in
the world, and a labour attends me to Open
it to others.
Now to ad with integrity, according to
that ftrength of mind and body with which
our creator hath endowed each of us, appears
neceffary for all, and he who thus ftands in
the loweft ftation, appears to be entitled to as
comfortable and convenient a living, as he
whofe gifts of mind are greater, and whofe
cares are more extenfive.
If fome endowed with ftrong underftand-
ings as men, abide not in the harmonious
ftate, in which we " love our neighbours as
" ourfelves," but walk in that fpirit in which
the children of this world are wife in their
generation ; thefe by the ftrength of contri
vance may fometimes gather great treafure,
but the wifdom of this world is foolifhnefs with

386 On loving our NEIGHBOURS.
with God ; ; and if we gather treafures in
worldly wifdom, we lay up " treafures for
" ourfelves;" and great treafures managed
in any other fpirit> ,thaa the fpirit of truth,
difordereth the affairs of fociety, for hereby
the good gifts, of God in this outward crea
tion are turned into the channels of worldly
honour, and frequently applied to fupport
luxury, while the wages of poor labourers
are fuch, that with moderate induftry and
frugality they may not live comfortably, raife
up families, and give them fuitable educati
on, but through the ftreightnefs of their con
dition, are often drawn on to labour under
wearinefs,- to toil through hardfhips them
felves, and frequently to opprefs thofe ufeful
animals with which we are entrufted.
From age to age, throughout all ages, di
vine love is that alone, in which dominion
has been, is, and will be rightly conduded.
In this the endowments of men are fb em
ployed, that the friend and the governor are
united in one, and oppreffive cuftoms come
fo an end.
Riches in the hands of individuals in fo
ciety, is attended with fome degree of power ;
and fo fax as power is put forth feparate from
pure love, fo far the government of the Prince
of Peace is interrupted; and as we know not
that our children after us will dwell in that
ftate in which power is rightly applied, to
lay up riches for them^appears to be againft
the nature of his government^ The

On loving our NEIGHBOURS. 387
The earth, through the labour of men un
der the bleffing of him who formed it, yield-
eth a fupply for the inhabitants from gene
ration to generation, and they who walk in
the pure light, their minds are prepared to
tafle and relifh not only thofe bleifings which
are fpiritual, but alfo feel a fweetnefs and fa
tisfadion in a right ufe of the good gifts of
God in the vifible creation.
Here we fee that man's happinefs ftands
not in great poffeffions, but in a heart de
voted to follow Chrift, in that ufe of things,
where cuftoms contrary to univerfal love have
no power over us.
In this ftate our hearts are prepared to truft
in God, and our defires for our children and
pofterity are, that they, with the reft of man
kind, in ages to come, may be of that num
ber, of whom he hath faid, " I will be a
" father to them, and they fhall be my fons
" and daughters." 2 Cor. vi. 18.
When wages in a fruitful land bear fo fmall
a proportion to the neceffaries of life, that
poor honeft people who have families cannot
by a moderate induftry attain to a comfort
able living, and give their children fufficient
learning, but muft either labour to a degree
of oppreffion, or elfe omit that which appears
to be a duty.
While this is the cafe with the poor, there
is an inclination in the minds of moft people,
to prepare at baft fo much treafure for their
children, that they with care and moderate induftry

388 On loving our NEIGHBOURS.
induftry may live free from thefe hardfhips,
which the poor pafs through.
Now this fubjed requireth our ferious eon-r
fideration : to labour that our children may
be put in a way to live comfortably, appears,
in itfelf to be a duty, fo long as thefe our
labours are confident with univerfal righte-,
oufnefs; but if in ftriving to fhun poverty,
we do not walk in that ftate where "Chrift is
¦' our life," then we wander ; ''• He that
" hath the Son, hath life." i John v. 12.
" This life is the light of men." John i. 4.
If we walk not in this light, we walk in
darknefs, and " he that walketh in darknefs,
" knoweth not whither he goeth." John
xii. 35-
To keep to right means in labouring to
attain a right end is neceflary : if in ftriving
to fhun poverty, we ftrive only in that ftate,
where Chrift is the light of our life, our lar
bours will ftand in the true harmony of fo-:
ciety ; but if people are confident that the
end aimed at is good, and in this confidence
purfue it fo eagerly, as not to wait for the
fpirit of truth to lead them, then they come
to lofs. " Chrift is given to be a leader and
'¦ commander of the people,' Ifaiah Iv. 4.
Again ; " The Lord fhall guide thee conti-
" nually," Ifaiah lviii. 12. Again; " Lord,
" thou wilt ordain peace for us, for thou
" alfo haft wrought all our works in us."
Ifaiah xxvi. 12.
" In the Lord have we righteoufnefs and,
*' ftrength." Ifaiah xlv. 24.

On loving our NEIGHBOURS. 389
In this ftate our minds are preferved watch
ful in following the leadings of his fpirit in
all our proceedings in this world, and a care
is felt for a reformation in general ; that
our own pofterity, with the reft of mankind
in fucceeding ages, may not be entangled
by oppreffive cuftoms, tranfmitted to them
through our hands : but if people in the
narrownefs of natural love, are afraid that
their children will be oppreffed by the rich,
and through an eager defire to get treafures,
depart from the pure leadings of truth in one
cafe, though it may feem to be a fmall mat
ter, yet the mind even in that fmall matter
may be emboldened to continue in a way of
proceeding, without waiting for the diyine
Leader. Thus people may grow expert in bufinefs,
wife in the wifdom of this work!, retain a
fair reputation amongft men, and yet, being
ftrangers to the voice of Chrift, the fafe lead
er of his flock, the treafures thus gotten,
may be like fnares to the feet of their pofte
rity. Now to keep faithful to the pure counfel
lor, and under trying eircumftances fuffer
adverfity for righteoufnefs fake, in this there
is a reward.
If we, being poor, are hardly dealt with
by thofe who are rich, and under this diffi
culty are frugal and induftrious, and in true
humility open our cafe to them who opprefs
us, this may reach the pure witnefs in their
lifiinds ; and though we fhould remain under
difficulties

390 On loving our NEIGHBOURS.
difficulties as to the outward, yet if we abide
in the love of Chrift, all will work for our
good. When we feel what it is to fuffer in the true
fuffering ftate, then we experience the truth
of thofe expreffions, that, " as the fufferings
" of Chrift abound in us, fo our confolation
" aboundeth by Chrift." 2 Cor. i. 5.
But if poor people who are hardly dealt
with, do not attain to the true fuffering ftate,
do not labour in true love with thofe who
deal hardly with them, but envy their out
ward greatnefs, murmur in their hearts be
caufe of their own poverty, and ftrive in the
wifdom of this world to get riches for them
felves and their children ; this is like wan
dering in the dark.
If we who are of a middle ftation between
riches and poverty, are affeded at times with
the oppreflions of the poor, and feel a tender
regard for our pofterity after us ; O how ne
ceffary is it that we wait for the pure counfel
of truth !
Many have feen the hardfhips of the poor,
felt an eager defire that their children may
be put in a way to efcape thefe hardfhipsi;
but how few have continued in that pure.love
which openeth our underftandings to proceed
rightly under thefe difficulties !
How few have faithfully followed that holy
Leader who prepares his people to labour for
the reftoration of true harmony amongft our
fellow-creatures! "In

On loving our NEIGHBOURS. 391
" In the pure gofpel-fpirit we walk by
" faith and not by fight." 2 Cor. v, 7.
In the obedience of faith we die to the nar-
rownefs of felf-love, and our life being hid
with Chrift in God, our hearts are enlarged
toward mankind univerfally ; but in depart
ing from the true light of life, many in ftriving
to get treafures have ftumbled upon the dark
mountains. . Now that purity of life which proceeds
from faithfulnefs. in following the fpirit of
truth, that ftate where our minds are devoted
to ferve God, and all our wants are bound
ed : by hisi'Wiftiom, this habitation has often
been opened 'before me as a place of retire
ment for the children of the -light,' where
we may ftand feparated from that which dif-
orderefh and confufeth the; affairs of fociety,
and where we may have a teftimony of our
innocence in the hearts of thofe who behold

US. -; 3

Through; departing from the truth as it is
in Jefus, through introducing ways of life
attended with unneceffary expences, many
wants have arifen, the minds of people have
been employed in ftudying to get wealth,- and
in this purfuit fome departing from equity,
have retained a profeffion of religion ; others
have looked at their example, and thereby
been ftrengthened to proceed further in- the
fame way : thus many . have encouraged the
trade of taking men from Africa, and felling
them as flaves. It

392 On loving our NEIGHBOURS. i
It hath been computed that near one hun
dred thoufand Negroes have of late years been
taken annually from that coaft, by fhips em
ployed in the Englifh trade.
As I have travelled on religious viflts in
fome parts of America, 1 have feen many of
thefe people under the command of overfeers,
in a painful fervitude.
I have beheld them as Gentiles under peo
ple profeffing chriftianity, not only kept ig
norant of the holy feriptures, but under great
provocations to wrath ; of whom it may
truly be faid, " They that rule over them
" make them to howl, and the holy Name is
*'• abundantly blafphemed." Ifaiah Iii. 5. Where
children are taught to read the facred writings,
while young, and exampled in meeknefs and
humility, it is often helpful to them ; nor is
this any more than a debt due from us to a
fucceeding age.
But where youth are pinched for want of
the neceffaries of life, forced to labour hard
under the harfh rebukes of rigorous over
feers, and many times endure unmerciful
whippings : in fuch an education, how great
are the difadvantages they lie under! And
how forcibly do thefe things work againft the
increafe of the government of the Prince of
Peace !
Humphrey Smith, . in his works, p. 125,
fpeaking of the tender feelings of the love of
God in his heart when he was a child, faid;
" By the violent wrathful nature that ruled
in others, was my quietnefs difturbed, and
anger

On loving our NEIGHBOURS. 393
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-mindednefs and
wrathful nature fo provoked me, that I wag
eftranged from it."
" And this I write as a warning to pa
rents and others, that in the fear of the liv
ing God, you may train up the youth, and
may not be a means of bringing them into
fuch alienation."
Many are the vanities and luxuries of the
prefent age, and in labouring to fupport a
way of living conformable to the prefent
world, the departure from that wifdom that
is pure and peaceable, hath been great.
Under the fenfe of a deep revolt, and an
overflowing ftream of unrighteoufnefs, my
life has been often a life of mourning, and
tender defires are raifed in me, that the na
ture of this pradice may be laid to heart.
I have read fome books wrote by people
who were acquainted with the manner of
getting flaves in Africa.
I have had verbal relations of this nature
from feveral Negroes brought from Africa,
who have learned to talk Englifh.
I have fundry times heard Englifhmen
fpeak on this fubjed, who have been in
Africa on this bufinefs ; and from all thefe
accounts it appears evident that great vio
lence is committed, and much bloodfhed in
Africa in getting flaves. When

394 On loving our NEIGHBOURS.
When three or four hundred flaves are put
in the hold of a veffel in a hot climate, their
breathing foon affeds the air. Were that
number of free people to go paffengers with
all things proper foi\ their voyage, there
would inconvenience arife from their num
ber , but flaves are taken by violence, and
frequently endeavour to kill the white peo
ple, that they may return to their native
land. Hence they are frequently kept under
fuch a fort of confinement, by means of which
a fcent arifeth in the hold of a fhip, and dif-
tempers often break out amongft them, of
which many die. Of this tainted air in the
hold of fhips freighted with flaves, 1 have
had feveral accounts, fome in print, and fome
verbal, and all agree that the fcent is griev
ous. When thefe people are fold in America,
and in the iflands, they are made to labour
in a manner more fervile and conftant, than
that which they were ufed to at home, that
with grief, with different diet from what has
been common with them, and with "hard la
bour, fome thoufands are computed to die
every year, in what is called the feafoning.
Thus it appears evident that great num
bers of thefe people are brought every year
to an untimely end ; many of them being
fuch who never injured us.
Where the innocent fuffer under hard
hearted men, even unto death, and the chan
nels of equity are fo obftruded, that the
caufe of the fufferers is not judged in righte
oufnefs,

On loving our NEIGHBOURS. 395
oufnefs, " the land is polluted with blood."
Numb. xxxv. 33.
Where blood hath been fhed unrighteoufly,
and remains unatoned for, the cry thereof is
very piercing.
Under the humbling difpenfations of divine
Providence, this cry hath deeply affeded 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 houfe of Ifrael
" and of Judah was exceeding great, when
" the land was defiled with blood, and the
" city full of perverfenefs." Ezek. ix. 9.
" Some "were found fighing and crying for
" the abominations of the times." Ezek. ix. 4.
and fuch who live under a right feeling of
our condition as a nation, thefe I truft will
be fenfibb that the Lord at this day doth call
to mourning, though many are ignorant of
it. So powerful are bad cuftoms when they
become general, that people growing bold
thro' the examples one of another, have often
been unmoved at the moft ferious warnings.
Through abiding in the love of Chrift we
feel a tendernefs in our hearts toward our
fellow-creatures, entangled in oppreflive cuf
toms ; and a concern fo to walk, that our
condud may not be a means of ftrengthening
them in error.
It was the command of the Lord through
Mofes, " Thou fhalt not fuffer fin upon thy
" brother : thou fhalt in anywife rebuke thy
? ' " brother,

396 On loving our NEIGHBOURS.
" brother, and fhalt not fuffer fin upori
" him." Lev. xix. 17.
Again ; " Keep far from a falfe matter ;
" and the innocent and righteous flay thou
" not." Exod. xxiii. 7.
The prophet Ifaiah mentions oppreffion as
that which the true church in time of out
ward quiet fhould not only be clear of, but
fhould be far from it ; " Thou fhalt be far
¦*' from oppreffion." Ifaiah liv. 14. Now
thefe words, far from, appear to have an ex-
tenfive meaning, and to convey inftrudion
in regard to that of which Solomon fpeaks,
" Though hand join in hand, the wicked
" fhall not go unpunifhed." Prov, xvi. 5.
It was a complaint againft one of old,
" When thou faweft a thief, thou content-
" edft with him." Pfal. 1. 18.
The prophet Jeremiah reprefents the de
grees of preparation toward idolatrous facri-
fice, in the fimilitude 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 againft
Ifrael, through his prophet Ezekiel, that " they
" ftrengthened the hands of the wicked, and
" made the hearts of the righteous fad."
Ezek. xiii. -22.
Some works of iniquity carried on by the
people were reprefented by the prophet Hofea,
in the fimilitude of ploughing, reaping, and
eating

On loving our NEIGHBOURS, 397
eating the fruit ; " You have ploughed wick-
' ednefs, reaped iniquity, eaten the fruit of
" iying, becaufe thou didft truft in thy own
" way, to the multitude of thy mighty men."
Hofea x. 13.
Our bleffed Saviour, fpeaking ofthe people
of the old world, faid, " 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 de-
" ftroyed them all." Luke xvii. 27.
The like he fpake concerning the people of
Sodom, who are alfo reprefented by the pro
phet as haughty, luxurious, and oppreffive ;
" This was the fin of Sodom, pride, fulnefs
" of bread, and abundance of idbnefs was
" found in her, and in her daughters ; nei-
" ther did fhe ftrengthen the hands of the
" poor and needy." Ezek. xvi. 49.
Now in a revolt fo deep as this, when
much blood has . been fhed unrighteoufly, in
carrying on the flave-trade, and in fupport -
ing the pradice of keeping flaves, which at
this day is unatoned for, and crieth from
the earth, and from the feas againft the op-
preffor !
While this pradice is continued, and un
der a great load of guilt, there is more un
righteoufnefs committed, the ftate of things
is very moving !
There is a love which ftands in nature,
and a parent beholding his child in mifery,
hath a feeling of the afflidion ; but in divine
love the heart is enlarged towards mankind
D d univerfally,

398 On loving our NEIGHBOURS.
univerfally; and prepared to fympathife with?
ftrangers, though in the loweft ftations in
life. Of this the prophet appears to have had a
feeling, when he faid,. '' Have we not all one
" Father ? Hath not one God created us ?
" Why then do we deal treacheroufly every
" man with his brother, in prophaning the
" covenant of our fathers ?" Mal. ii, io.
He who of old heard the groans of the
children of Ifrael under the hard tafk-mafters
in Egypt, I truft, hath looked down from his
holy habitation on the miferies of thefe deep
ly oppreffed people. Many lives have been
fhortned through extreme oppreffion, while
they laboured to fupport luxury and worldly
greatnefs ; and tho' many people in outwardi
profperity may think little of thofe things,
yet the gracious Creator hath regard to the
cries of the innocent, however unnoticed by
men. The Lord in the riches of his goodnefs is^
leading fome into the feeling of the condition
of this people, who cannot reft without la
bouring as their advocates ; of which in feme
meafure I have had experience, for, in the
rnovings of his love in my heart, thefe poor
fufferers have been brought near to me.
The unoffending aged and infirm made to
labour too hard, kept on a diet lefs comfort-
abb than their weak ftate required, and ex
pofed to great difficulties under hard-hearted-
men, to whofe fufferings I have often been &
witnefs, and under the heart-melting power ©f

On loving our NEIGHBOURS, 399
of divine love, their mifery hath felt to me
like the mifery of my parents.
Innocent youth taken by violence from
their native land, from, their friends and ac
quaintance ; put on board fhips with hearts
laden with farrow ; expofed to great hard-
fhips at fea; placed under people, where their
lives have been attended with great provoca
tion to anger and revenge.
With the condition of thefe youth, my
mind hath often been affeded, as with the
afflidions of my children, and in a feeling
of the mifery of thefe people, and of that
great offence which is miniftered to them,
my tears have been often poured out before
the Lord.
That holy Spirit which affeded my heart
when I was a youth, I troft, is ofteB felt by
the Negroes in their native land, inclining
their minds to that which is righteous, and
had the profeffed followers of Chrift in all
their comdad toward them, manifefted a dif
pofition anfwerabb to the pure principle in
their hearts, how might the holy Name have
been honoured amongft the Gentiles, and
. how might we have rejoiced in the fulfilling
of that prophecy, " I the Lord love judg-
" memt, I hate robbery for burnt-offerings,
" and I will dired their work in truth, and
" make an everlafting covenant with them.
" Their feed fhall be known amongft the
" Gentiles, and their offspring amongft the
" people: all that fee them fhall acknowledge
D d 2 " them,

400 On loving our NEIGHBOURS.
" them, that they are the feed which the
" Lord hath bbffed." Ifaiah lxi. 8, 9.
But in the prefent ftate of things, how
contrary is' this pradice to that meek fpirit,
in which our Saviour laid down his life for
us, that all the ends of the earth might know
falvation in his name !
How are the fufferings of our bleffed Re
deemer fet at nought, and his name blaf-
phemed amongft the Gentiles, through the
unrighteous proceedings of his profeffed fol
lowers !
My mind hath often been affeded, even
from the days of my youth, under a fenfe of
that marvellous work, for which God, in in
finite goodnefs, fent his Son into the world.
The opening of that fpring of living wa
ters, which the true believers in Chrift ex
perience, by which they are redeemed from
pride and covetoufnefs, and brought into a
ftate of meeknefs, where their hearts are en
larged in true love toward their fellow-crea
tures univerfally ; this work to me has been
precious, and the fpreading the knowledge of
the truth amongft the Gentiles been very de
finable. And the profeffed followers of Chrift
joining in cuftoms evidently unrighteous,
which manifeftly tend to ftir up wrath, and
increafe wars and defolations, hath often co
vered my mind with forrow.
If we bring this matter home, and as Job
propofed to his friends, " Put our foul in
4t their foul's ftead." Job xvi. 4. If

On loving our NEIGHBOURS. 401
If we confider ourfelves and our children
as expofed to the hardfhips which thefe peo
ple lie under in fupporting an imaginary
greatnefs. Did we in fuch cafe behold an increafe of
luxury and fuperfluity amongft our oppreflbrs,
and therewith felt an increafe of the weight
of our burdens, and expeded our pofterity to
groan under oppreffion after us.
Under all this mifery, had we none to
plead our caufe, nor any hope of relief from
man, how would our cries afcend to the God
of the fpirits of all flefh, who judgeth the
world in righteoufnefs, and in his own time
is a refuge for the oppreffed !
If they who thus afflided us, continued to
lay claim to religion, and were affifted in
their bufinefs by others, efteemed pious peo
ple, who through a friendfhip with them
ftrengthened their hands in tyranny.
In fuch a ftate, when we were hunger- bit
ten, and could not havg fufficient nourifh-
ment, but faw them in fulnefs pleating their
tafle with thing/s fetched from far : ,
When we were wearied with labour, deni
ed the liberty tq reft, and faw them fpending
their time at eafe : when garments anfwer
abb to our neceffities were denied us, while
we faw them cloathed in that which was
coftly and delicate :
Under fuch afflidibs-, —how would thefe
painful feelings rife up as witneffes againft
their pretended devotion! And if the name
of their religion was mentioned in our hear ing,

402 On loving our NEIGHBOURS.
ing, how would it found in our ears like a
word which fignified felf-exaltation, and hard-
nefs of heart !
When a trade is carried on, produdive of
much mifery, and they who fuffer by it are
fome thoufand miles offr the danger is the
greater, of not laying their fufferings to
heart. In procuring flaves on the coaft of Africa,
many children are ftolen privately ^ wars alfo
are encouraged amongft the Negroes, but all is
at a great diftance.
Many groans arife from dying men, which
we hear not.
Many cries are uttered by widows and fa-
tberbfs children, which reach not our ears.
Many cheeks are wet with tears, and faces
fad with unutterable grief, whbh we fee
not. Cruel tyranny is encouraged. The hands
of robbers are ftrengthened, and thoufands
reduced to the moft abjed flavery, who never
injured us.
Were we for the term of one year only to
be eye-witneffes to what paffeth in getting
thefe flaves :
Was the Hood which is there fhed to be
fprinkled on our garments :
Were the poor captives bound with thongs,
heavy laden with elephants teeth, tp pafs be
fore our eyes on their way to the fea :
Were their bitter lamentations day after
day to ring in our ears, and their r^oturnfuj
cries ifi the night to hinder us from fleeping': Were

On trading in SUPERFLUITIES. 403
Were we to hear the found of the tumult
when the flaves on board the fhips attempt
to kill the Englifh, and behold the iffue of
thofe bloody conflicts :
What pious man could be a witnefs to thefe
things, and fee a trade carried on in this
manner, without being deeply affeded with
forrow ?

CHAP. II.
On trading in Superfluities.
IHAVE felt great diftrefs of mind fince I
came on this ifland, on account of the
members of our fociety being mixed with the
world in various forts of bufinefs and traffic,
carried on in impure channels. Great is the
trade to Africa for flaves ; and in loading
thefe fhips abundance of people are employed
in the manufadories.
Friends in early time refuted, on a religi
ous principle, to make or trade in fuperflui
ties, of which we have many large teftimo-
nies on record, but for want of faithfulnefs
fome gave way, even fome whofe examples
were of note in fociety, and from thence
others took more liberty: members of our fo
ciety worked in fuperfluities, and bought and
fold them, and thus dimnefs of fight came
over many. At length, friends got into the
ufe of fome fuperfluities in drefs, and in the
furniture of their houfes, and this hath fpread from

404 On trading in SUPERFLUITIES.
from lefs to more, till fuperfiuity qf fome
kinds is common amongft us.
In this declining ftate many look at the
example one of another, and too much ne
gbd the pure feeling of truth. Of late years
a deep exercife hath attended my mind, that
friends may dig deep, may carefully caft forth
the loofe matter, and get down to the rock,
the fore foundation, and there hearken to
that divine voice which gives a clear and cer
tain found.
And I have felt in that which doth not de
ceive, that if friends who have known the
truth, keep in that tendernefs of heart, where
all views of outward gain. are given up, and
their truft is only on the Lord, he will gra
cioufly lead fome to be patterns of deep felf-
denial, in things relating to trade, and han
dicraft labour ; and that fome who have
plenty of the treafures of this world, will ex
ample in a plain frugal life, and pay wages to
fuch whom they may hire, more liberally than
js now cuftomary in fome places.
The prophet, fpeaking of the true church,
faid, " Thy people alfo fhall be all righteous."
Of the depth of this divine work feveral
have fpoken.
John Gratton, in his journal, p. 45, faid,
*' The Lord is my portion, I fhall not want.
He hath wrought all my works in me. I am
nothing but what I am in him."
Gilbert Latey, through the powerful ope
rations of the fpirit of Chrift in his foul, was
brought to that depth of felf-denial, that he
could

On trading in SUPERFLUITIES. 405
could not join with that prpud fpirit in pther
people, which inclined them to want vanities
and fuperfluities. This friend was often amongft
the chief rulers ofthe nation in times of per-
fecution, and it appears by the teftimony of
friends, that his dwelling was fo evidently in
the pure life of truth, that in his vifits to
thofe great men, he found a place* in their
minds ; and that king James the fecond, in
the times of his troubles, made particular
mention in a very refpedful manner of what
Gilbert once faid to him.
The faid Gilbert found a concern to write
an epiftle, in which are thefe expreffions ;
" Fear the Lord, ye men of all forts, trades,
and callings, and leave off" all the evil that is
in them, for the Lord is grieved with all the
evils ufed in your employments which you are
exercifed in."
*' It is even a grief to fee how you are fer
vants to fin, and inftruments of Satan." See
his works, p. 42, &c.
George Fox, in an epiftle, writes thus:
" Friends, ftand in the eternal power of God,
witneffes againft the pomps and vanities of
this world.''
" Such tradefmen who ftand as witneffes
in the power of God, cannot fulfil the peo
ple's minds in thefe vanities, and therefore
they are offended at them."
" Let all truft in the Lord, and wait pa
tiently on him ; for when truth firft broke
forth in London, many tradefmen could not
take fo much money in their fhpps for fome
time,

406 On trading in SUPERFLUITIES.
time, as would buy them bread and water,
becaufe they withstood the world's ways,
fafhions, and cuftoms ; yet by their patient
waiting on the Lord in their good life and
converfation, they anfwered the truth in peo
ple's hearts, and thus their bufinefs increafed."
Book of Dodrinals, p. 824.
Now Chrift our holy leader gracioufly con-
tinueth to open the underftandings of his
people, and as eircumftances alter from age
to age, fome who are deeply baptized into a
feeling of the ftate of things, are led by his
holy fpirit into exercifes in fome refped dif
ferent from thofe which attended the faithful
in foregoing ages, and through the conftrain-
ings of pure love, are engaged to open the
.feelings they have to others.
In faithfully following Chrift, the heart is
weaned from the defire of riches, and we
are led into a life fo plain and fimple, that a
little doth fuffice, and thus the way openeth
to deny ourfelves, under all the tempting al
lurements of that gain, which we know is the
gain of unrighteoufnefs.
The apoftfe fpeaking on this fubjed, afk-
eth this queftion ; " What fellowfhip hath
" righteoufnefs with unrighteoufnefs ?" 2 Cor.
vi. 14. And again faith, " Have no fellow-
" fhip with the unfruitful works of darknefs,
" but rather reprove them." Ephef. v. 1 1.
Again, " Be not partaker of other men's fins,
¦' keep thyfelf pure." 1 Tim. v. 22.
Where people through the power of Chrift
are thoroughly fettled in a right, ufe of things, freed

On trading in SUPERFLUITIES. 407
freed from all unneceffary care and expence,
the mind in this true refignation is at liberty
from the bands of a narrow felf-intereft, to
attend from time to time on the movings of
his fpirit upon us, though he leads into that,
through which our faith is clofely tried.
The language of Chrift is pure, and to the
pure in heart, this pure language is intelligi
ble ; but in the love of money, the mind be
ing intent on gain, is too full of human con
trivance to attend to it.
It appeareth evident, that fome channels of
trade are defiled with unrighteoufnefs, that
the minds of many are intent on getting trea
fures to fupport a life, in which there are
many unneceffary expences.
And. I feel a living concern attend my
mind, that under thefe difficulties we may
humbly follow our heavenly fhepherd, who
gracioufly regardeth his flock, and is willing
and abb to fupply us both inwardly and out
wardly with clean provender, that hath been
winnowed with the fhovel and the fan, where
we may " fow to ourfelves in righteoufnefs,
" reap in mercy." Hofea x. 12. and not be
defiled with the works of iniquity.
Where cuftoms contrary to pure wifdom
are tranfmitted to pofterity, it appears to be
an injury committed againft them ; and I
pften feel tender compaffion toward a young
generation, and defires, that their difficulties
may not be increafed through unfarthftilaefs
in us of the prefent age. While

408 On a SAILOR'S LIFE.
While friends were kept truly humble, and
walked according to the purity of our prin
ciples, the divine witnefs in many hearts was
reached ; but when a worldly fpirit got en
trance, therewith came in luxuries and fu
perfluities, and fpread by little and little,
even amongft the foremoft rank in fociety,
and from thence others took liberty in that
way more abundantly.
In the continuation of thefe things from
parents to children, there were many wants
to fupply, even wants unknown to friends,
while they faithfully followed Chrift. And in
ftriving to fupply thefe wants many have ex-
aded on the poor, many have entered on em
ployments, in which they often labour in up
holding pride and vanity. Many have looked
on one another, been ftrengthened in thefe
things, one by the example of another, and
as to the pure divine feeing, dimnefs hath
come over many, and the channels of true
brotherly love been obftruded.
CHAP. III.
On a Sailor s Life.
IN the trade to Africa for flaves, and in the
management of fhips going on thefe voy
ages, many of our lads and young men have
a confiderable part of their education.
Now what pious father beholding his fon
placed in one of thefe fhips, to barn the prac tice

On a SAILOR'S LIFE. 409
tice of a mariner, could forbear mourning
over him ?
Where youth are exampbd in means of
getting money, fo full of violence, and ufed
to exercife fuch cruelties on their fellow- crea
tures, the difadvantage to them in their edu
cation is very great.
But I feel it in my mind to write concern
ing the feafaring life in general.
In the trade carried on from the Weft-In
dies, and from fome parts of the continent,
the produce of the labour of flaves is a con
fiderable part.
And failors who are frequently at ports
where flaves abound, and converfe often with
people who opprefs them without the appear
ance of remorfe, and often with failors employ
ed in the flave trade, how powerfully do thefe
evil examples fpread amongft the feafaring
youth !
I have had many opportunities to feel and
underftand the general ftate of the feafaring
life amongft us, and my mind hath often
been fad on account of fo many lads and
young men being trained up amidft fo great
corruption. Under the humbling power of Chrift I
have feen, that if the leadings of his holy
fpirit were faithfully attended to by his pro-
fefFed followers in general, the heathen nati
ons would be exampbd in righteoufnefs. A
left number of people would be employed on
the feas. The channels of trade would be
more free from defilement. Fewer people would

4io On a SAILOR'S LIFE.
would be employed in vanities and fuper*
fluities. The inhabitants of cities would be lefs in
number. Thofe who have much lands would! become
fathers to the poor.
More people would be employed in the
fweet employment of husbandry,, and in the
path of pure wifdom, labour would be an a-
greeable, healthful employment.
In the opening of thefe 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 foldiers endure hardnefs
for Chrift's fake.
He, our bbffed Saviour, exhorting his fol
lowers, to love one another, adds, " As I
" have loved you." John xiii. 34,
He loved Lazarus, yet in his ficknefs did
not heal him, but left him to endure the
pains of death, that in reftoring him to life,
the people might be confirmed in the true
faith. He loved his difciples, but fent thern forth
on a meffage attended with great difficulty,
amongft hard-hearted people, fome of whom
would think that in killing them they did
God fervice.
So deep is divine love, that in fledfaftly
abiding in it, we are prepared to deny our
felves of all that gain which is contrary to
pure wifdom, and to follow Chrift, even un
der contempt, and through fufferings. CHAP.

, ( 4" )
CHAP. IV.
On ftlent Worfhip.
WORSHIP in filence hath often been
refrefhing to my mind, and a care
attends me that a young generation may feel
the nature of this worfhip.
Great expence arifeth in relation to that
which is called divine worfhip.
A confiderable part of this expence is ap
plied toward outward greatnefs, and many
poor people in railing of tithe, labour in fup-
porting euffoms contrary to the fimplicity
that there is in Chrift, toward whom my
mind hath often been moved with pity»
In pure fibnt worfhip, we dwell under the
holy anointing, and feel Chrift to be our
fhepherd. Here the befl of teachers minifters to the
feveral conditions of his flock, and the foul
receives immediately from the divine fountain,.
that with which it is nourifhed.
As I have travelled at times where thofe of
other focieties have attended our meetings,
and have perceived how little fome of them
knew of the nature of fibnt worfhip ; I have
felt tender defires in my heart that we, who
often fit fibnt in our meetings, may live an
fwerabb to the nature of an inwTard fellow
fhip with God, that no ftumbling-block,
through us, may be laid in their way. Such

412 On SILENT WORSHIP.
Such is the load of unneceffary expence
which lieth on that which is called divine fer
vice in many places, and fo much are the
minds of many people employed in outward
forms and ceremonies, that the opening of an
inward fibnt worfhip in this nation to me
hath appeared to be a precious opening.
Within the laft four hundred years, many
pious people have been deeply exercifed in
foul on account of the fuperftition which
prevailed amongft the profeffed followers of
Chrift, and in fupport of their teftimony a-
gainft oppreffive idolatry, fome in feveral ages
have finifhed their courfe in the flames.
It appears by the hiftory of the reformati
on, that through the faithfulnefs of the mar
tyrs, the underftandings of many have been
opened, and the minds of people, from age
to age, been more and more prepared for a
real fpiritual worfhip.
My mind is often affeded with a fenfe of
the condition of thofe people, who in different
ages have been meek and patient, following
Chrift through great afflidions : And while I
behold the feveral fteps of reformation, and
that elearnefs, to which through, divine good
nefs, it hath been brought by our anceftors ;
I feel tender defires that we, who fometimes
meet in filence, may never by our condud
lay ftumbling-blocks in the way of others,
and hinder the progrefs of the reformation in
the world.
It was a complaint againft fome who were
called, the Lord's people, that they brought
polluted

On SILENT WORSHIP. 413
polluted bread to his altar, and faid the table
of the Lord was contemptible.
In real fibnt worfhip the foul 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 Chrift is our fhepherd, and feedeth us,
and we are faithful in following him, our
lives will have an inviting language, and the
table ofthe Lord will not be polluted.

Ee AN

I 4i4 1

EPIS T L E

T O T H E

QUARTERLY ant, MONTHLY
MEETINGS of Friends.

Beloved Friends,
FEELING at this time a renewed con
cern that the pure principle of light and
life, and the righteous fruits thereof may
fpread and prevail amongft mankind, there
is an engagement on my heart to labour with
my brethren in religious profeffion, that none
of us may be a Humbling block in the way
of others ; but may fo walk that our conduct
may reach the pure witnefs in the hearts of
fuch who are not in profeffion with us.
And, dear friends, while we publicly own
that the holy Spirit is our leader, the profef
fion is in itfelf weighty',' and the weightinefs
thereof increafeth, in proportion as we are"
noted among the profeflbrs of truth, and
adive

An E PI S T L E. 415
adive in, dealing with fuch who walk difor
der! v. . ¦•
Many under our profeffion for want of due
attention, and a perfed refignation to this
Divine Teacher, have in fome things mani
fefted ,a deviation from the purity of our re
ligious principles, and thefe deviations hav
ing crept in amongi! us by little and little,
and increafing from lefs to greater, have been
fo far unnoticed, that fome living in them,
have beep adive in putting difcipline in prac
tice, with relation ,to others, whofe condud
Jjiath appeared more, difhonpurabb in the
world. :,;.-,,. : «. ,.;
No wj as, my. mind .hath been exercifed be
fore the Lord, 1 have feen, that the difci
pline of the church pf Chrift ftan.de.th in that
which is, pure; that it is the wifdom, from
above which gives - authority to' difcipline;
.and that .the'weightipefs thereof ftandeth not
in any outward eircumftances, but, in the
authority of Chrift who is :,the author of it ;
and where any walk, .after the flefh, and not
according to the purity of truth, and at -the
fame time are adive in putting difcipline in
pradice, a veil is gradually drawn oyer the
purity of difcipline, and over that hplinefs
of life, which Chrift bads thofe into, " in
" whom the love of God is verily perfeded."
1 John ii. 5. > . ¦>
When we labour in true love with offend
ers, and they remain obftmate, it fometimes
is neceffary to proceed. as far as our. Lord di-
E e 2 reded,

41.6 An EPISTLE.
r-sded, " Let him be to thee as an heathen
" man, or a publican," Matt, xviii. 17.
' Now when fuch are difowned, and they
who ad therein feel Chrift made unto them
wifdom, and are preferved in his meek, re-
"ftoring fpirit, there is no juft caufe of offence
"miniftred to any ; Jbjyt_Jwhen_fuch who are
adlve-in dealing with offenders indulge them
felves "in things" which are contrary to the
purity of truth, "and yet judge others whofe
condud appears more difhonpurable than
their' s7 here the pure authority of difciplinb
ceafeth as to fuch offenders, and a temptati-
on isjaid in their way to wrangle and con
tend— " Judge not," faid oufiLord^ that
~rii ye be not judged." "''Now- this forbidding,
alludes tp man's judgment, andJ-rpoints out
the neccffity of our humbly attending to that
fandifying. power under which the faithful
experience the Lord to be " a fpirit of judg-
" rnenttp them.'-'Tfa. xxviii. 6; J And as We
feel his Holy Spirit to mortify the. deeds of
the body in us, and can fay, "" it is no riiore
-" I that live, but Chrift that liveth in me*'
here right judgment is known.
And while divinP love prevails in 6UY
hearts, and felf in us is brought under judg
ment, a preparation is felt to labour- in a
right manner with : offenders- ; but if we
abide npt in this love, bur outward perform-
ance in dealing with others, degenerates into
formality ; for " this is the love of God, that
" we keep his commandments;" John i. 3.
How

An E P I S T L E. 4i7
How weighty are thofe inftrudions of our
Redeemer concerning religious duties, when
he points out, that they who pray, fhould be
fo obedient to the teachings of the Holy Spi
rit, that humbly confiding in his help, they
may fay, " Thy name, O Father, be hallowed !
" Thy kingdom come ; thy will be done on
" earth as it is in heaven :"  -In this aw
ful ftate of mind is felt that worfhip which
ftands in doing the will of God, ,on earth, as
it is done in heaven, and keeping the holy
Name facred. To take a holy profeffion upon
us is awful, nor can we keep this holy Name
facred, but by humbly abiding under the
crofs of Chrift. The^apoftle made a heavy
complaint againft fome wFo ^reprTanedlfEis
holy Name by their manner of living, ^iLlhjp'
" yout" he Jays, ".the name of God is blaf-
t(^pTiemed amongft the Gentiles." Rom. ii. 24.
Some of our anceftors through many tri
bulations were gathered into the ftate of true
worfhippers, and had fellowfhip in that
which is pure, and as one was inwardly-
moved to kneel down in their affemblies, and
publicly call on the name of the Lord, thofe
in the harmony of united exercife then pre
fent, joined in the prayer ; I mention this in
order that we of the prefent age, may look
unto the Rock from whence we were hewn,
and remember that to unite in worfhip, is a
union in prayer, and that prayer acceptable
to the Father is .only in a mind truly fandi-
fied, where the facred name is kept holy, and
the heart reflated to do his will on earth as
' 5 it

418 An E P I S T LE.
it is done in heaven, " If ye abide iri me ''
faith Chrift, " and my words abide in you,
" ye , fhall afk what ye' will in hiyy h'ame,
" and it fhall be done unto you."— Now we
know not what to pray for as we ought, but
as the Holy Spirit doth open and dired pur
minds, and as we faithfully yield to. its in
fluences, our prayers are in the will of our
heavenly Father, who fails .'not to grant that
which his own fpirit, through his children,
afketh ; — thus preservation from fin is.known,
and the fruits of righteoufnefs are brought
forth by fuch who inwardly unite in prayer,
How weighty are our folemn meetings
when the name of Chrift is kept holy?"
" How precious is that ftate in which the
children of the Lord are fo redeemed from
the love of this world, that they are accepted
and bbffed in all that they do." R. Barclay's
Apology, p. 404.
How neceffary is it that we who profefs
thefe principles, and are outwardly active in
fupporting them, fhould faithfully abide in
divine ftrength, that " As He who hath call-
*' ed us, is holy, fo we may be holy in all
" manner of converfation." 1 Pet. i. 15.
" If one profefiing to be influenced by the
fpirit of Chrift, propofeth to unite in a labour
to promote righteoufnefs in the earth, and
in time paft he hath manifeftly deviated from
the path of equity, then to ad confiftent with
this principle, his firft work is to make refti-
tution fo far as he may be enabled; for if he
attempts to contribute toward a work intend-

An EPISTLE. 419
ed tq jHomote righteoufnefs, while it appears
that he negledefE,7pr refufeth to ad righte-
oufly himfelf, his a condud has a tendency to
entangle the minds of thofe who are weakin-
the faith, who behold thefe things, and to
draw a veil over the purity of righteoufnefs,
by carrying an appearance as though „that
was righteoufnefs which is not.
~~Again, if I prOpofe toaffift in fupporting
thofe dodrines wherein that purity of life is
held forth, in which cuftoms proceeding from
the fpirit of this world have no place, and
at the fame time ftrengthen others in thofe
cuftoms by my example ; the firft ftep then
in an orderly proceeding, is to ceafe from
thofe cuftoms myfelf, and afterwards to la
bour, as I may be enabled, to promote the
like difpofition and condud in others.
To be convinced of the pure principle of
truth, and diligently exercifed in walking
anfwerabb thereto, is neceffary before I can
confiftently recommend this principle to
others. — I often feel a labour in fpirit, that
v/e who are adive members in religious fo
ciety may experience in ourfelves the truth
of thofe expreffions of the Holy One — " I
" will be fandified in them that come nigh
" me." Lev. x. 3. — in this cafe, my mind
hath been often exercifed when alone, year
after year, for many years, and in the re
newings of divine love, a tender care hath
been incited in me, that we who profefs the
inward principle of light to be our teacher,
may be a family united in that purity of
worfhip,

420 An EPISTLE.
worfhip, which comprehends a holy life, and
minifters inftrudion to others.
My mind is often drawn towards children
in the truth, who having a fmall fhare of the
things of this life, and coming to have fa
milies, may be inwardly exercifed before the
Lord to fupport them in a way agreeable to
the purity of truth, in which they may feel
his bleffing upon them in their labours ; the
thoughts of fuch being entangled with cuf
toms (contrary to pure wifdom) conveyed to
them through our hands, doth often very
tenderly and movingly affed my heart, and
when I look towards and think on the fuc-
ceeding generation, fervent defires are raifed
in me, that we by yielding to that Holy Spi
rit which leads into all truth, may not do
the work of the Lord deceitfully, may not
live contrary to the purity of the divine prin
ciple we profefs ; but that as faithful labour
ers in our age, we may be inftrumental in
removing ftumbling blocks out of the way of
thofe who may fucceed us.
So great was the love of Chrift, that he
gave himfelf for the church, " that he might
" fandify and cleanfe it, that it fhould be
" holy, and without blemifh, not having
" fpot or wrinkle, or any fuch thing." Eph.
v. 25. and where any take the name of
Chrift upon them, profeffing to be members
of his church, and led by his Holy Spirit,
and yet manifeftly deviate from the purity
of truth, they herein ad againft the gracious
defign of his giving himfelf for them, and
minifter

An EPISTLE. 421
minifter caufe for the continuance of his af
flidions, viz. in his body the church.
Chrift fuffered afflidions in a body of flefh
prepared by the father, but the afflidions of
his myflical body are yet unfinifhed ; for
they who are baptized into Chrift are bap
tized into his death, and as we humbly abide
under his fandifying power, and are brought
forth into newnefs of life, we feel Chrift to
live in us, who being the fame yefterday,
to-day, and for ever, and always at unity
with himfelf, his fpirit in the hearts of his
people leads to an inward exercife for the fal-
vation of mankind ; and when under a tra
vail of fpirit, we behold a vifited people en
tangled by the fpirit of this world with its
wickednefs and cuftoms, and thereby ren
dered incapable of being faithful examples to
others, forrow and heavinefs under a fenfe
of thefe things, is often experienced, and
thus in fome meafure is filled up that which
remains of the afflidions of Chrift.
Our bbffed Saviour, fpeaking concerning
gifts offered in divine fervice, fays, " If
" thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there
" remembereft that thy brother hath ought
" againft thee, leave there thy gift before the
" altar, and go thy way, firft be reconcil-
" ed to thy brother, and then come and
" offer thy gift." Matt. 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 perfed reconciliation but in ceafing
from that which minifters caufe for the con
tinuation

422 An EPISTLE.
tinuation of the afflidions of Chrift ; and if
any profeffing to bring their gift to the altar,
do remember the cuftomary eontradidion
which fome of their fruits bear to the pure,
fpiritual worfhip, here it appears neceffary to
lay to heart this command, " leave thy gift
" by the altar."
Chrift gracioufly Calls his people brethren,
" whofoever fhall do the will of God, the fame
" is my brother." Mark iii. 35. Now if we
walk contrary to the truth as it is in Jefus
while we continue to profefs it, we offend
againft Chrift, and if under this offence we
bring our gift to the altar, our Redeemer
doth not dired us to take back our gift, he
doth not difcourage our proceeding in a good
work ; but gracioufly points out the neceffa
ry means by which the gift may be rendered
acceptable, " leave," faith he, " thy gift by
^ the altar, firft go and be reconciled to thy
*' brother," ceafe from that which grieves
the Holy Spirit, ceafe from that which is
againft the truth, as it is in Jefus, and then
come, and offer thy gift.
I feel, while I am writing, a tendernefs to
thofe who, through divine favour, are pre
ferved in a lively fenfe of the ftate of the
churches, and at times may be under dif-
couragements wiih regard to proceeding in
that pure way which Chrift by his Holy Spi
rit leads into : the depth of diforder and
weaknefs, which fo much prevails, being
opened, doublings are apt to arife as to the
poffibility of proceeding as an affembly of
the

An EPISTLE. 423
the Lord's people in the pure counfel of truth ;
and here I feel a concern to exprefs in up
rightnefs, that which hath been opened in
my mind, under the power of the crofs of
Chrift, relating to a vifible gathered church,
the members whereof are guided by the Holy
Spirit. The church is called the body of Chrift,
Col. i. 25
Chrift 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 fa
cred, and the neceflity of keeping this name
holy, appears evident ; for where a number
of people unite in a profeffion of being led by
the fpirit of Chrift, and publifh their prin
ciples to the world, the ads and proceedings
of that people may in fome meafure be con
fidered as fuch which Chrift is the author of.
Now while we ftand in this ftation, if the
pure light of life is not followed and regard
ed in our proceedings, we are in the way of
prophaning the holy Name, and of going
back toward that wildernefs of fufferings and
perfecution, out of which, through the tender
mercies of God, a church hath been gather
ed ; " Chrift liveth in fandified veffels," Gal,
ii. 20. and where they behold his holy Name
profaned, and the pure gofpel light eclipfed
through the unfaithfulnefs of any who by
their ftation appear to be ftandard bearers
Under the Prince of Peace, the living mem bers

424 A« E P I S T L E.
bers in the body of Chrift in beholding thefe
things, do in fome degree experience the fel
lowfhip of his fufferings, and as the wifdom
of the world more and more takes place in
conduding the affairs pf this vifible gathered
church, and the pure leadings of the Holy
Spirit are lefs waited for and followed, fo the
true fuffering feed is more and more oppref
fed. My mind is often affeded with a fenfe of
the condition of fincere-hearted people in fome
kingdoms, where liberty of confcience is not
allowed, many of whom being burthened in
their minds with prevailing fuperftition, join
ed with oppreffions, are often under forrow ;
and where fuch have attended to that pure
light which hath in fome degree opened their
underftandings, and for their faithfulnefs
thereto, have been brought to examination
and trial, how heavy are the perfecutions
which in divers parts of the world are exer
cifed upon them ? How mighty, as to the
outward, is that, power by which they are
borne down and oppreffed ?
How deeply, affeding is the condition of
many upright-hearted- people who are taken
into the papal inquifition ? What lamentable
cruelties, in deep vaults, in a priv-te way,
are exercifed on many of them ? and how
lingering is that death by a fmall flow fire,
which they have frequently indured, who
have been faithful to the end ?
How many tender- fpirited proteftants have
been fentenced to fpend the remainder of their lives

An EPISTLE. 425
lives in a galley chained to oars, under hard"
•hearted mafters, while their young children
are placed out for education, and taught
principles fo contrary to the confidences of the
parents, that by diffenting 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 paft fevere perfe
ctions under" the Englifli government, and
many fincere-hearted people have fuffered
death for the teftimony of a good confcience,
-whofe faithfulnefs in their day hath miniftred
encouragement to others, and been a bleffing
to many who have fucceeded them ; thus from
age to age, the darknefs being more and more
removed, a channel at length, through the
-tender mercies of God, hath been opened for
the exercife ofthe pure gift of the gofpel mi
niftry, without interruption from outward
power, a work, the like of which is rare, arid
unknown in many parts ofthe world.
As thefe things are often frefh in my mind,
and this great work of God going on in the
earth has been open before me, that liberty
of conference with which we are favoured,
hath appeared not as a fight matter.
•< A truft, is committed to us, a great and
weighty truft, to which our diligent attenti
on is neceffary : wherever the adive members!
of this vifible gathered church ufe themfelves!
to that which is contrary to the purity of our
principles, it appears to be^a breach of this
truft, aud one fteP back toward the wilder- nefs,'

426 An EP18TL E.
nets, one ftep towards undoing what God in
infinite love hath done through hrs faithuil
fervants, in a work of feveral ages, and is like
laying the foundation for future fufferf-
ings. 1 feel a living invitation in my : mina.rto
fuch who are adive in our religious fociety,
that we may lay to heart this matter, and
confider the ftation in which we ftand ; a
place of outward liberty under "the free e'xeri-
cifeof our confcience towards God,, not ob
tained but through great and .'manifold ;affli5-
tions of thofe who lived before us. There is
gratitude due from us to our heavenly Fa
ther, and juftice to our pofterity ; can our
hearts endure, or our hands be itrong, if we
defert a caufe fo precious, if we turn afide
from a work under which fo many have pa
tiently laboured ?
May the deep fufferings of our Saviou'r be
fo dear to us, that we may never trample un
der foot the adorable Son of God, . nor cbent
the blood of the convenant unholy I . ?./„
May the faithfulnefs of the martyrsv Avhen
the profped of death by fire wastefore itihena,
be remembered !/ and may the patient con-
ftant fufferings of the upright-hearted fer
vants of God in latter ages, be revived in our
minds-! j and may we fo follow on to know
theLord, that neither the faithful in this
age, .nor thofe in ages to come, may ever be
brought under fuffering, through our Hiding
back from the work of reformation in the
world! While

An EPISTLE. 427
While the; adive members in the vifible
gathered -church ftand upright, and the af
fairs thereof are carried on under the leadings,
pf the Holy Spirit, altho' diforders may arife
among us, and caufe many exercifes to thofe
who feel the care of the churches upon them ;
yet while -thiefe continue, under the weight of
the work, ^and labour in the meeknefs of wif
dom for the help of others* the name of
Chrift in the vifible gathered church may be
kept tfacredH .but while they who are active
in. the affairs of this church,, continue in a
manifeft oppofition to the: purity of our prin
ciples, this, as the prophet. Ifaiah x. iSvex'-
preffefia it^ is like ." as when a ftandard bear-
" dr fainteth :" and thus the way Opens to
.great, and' prevailing degeneracy, and to
faBfefamgsJfbr iiich who, through: the power of
divine loVe,;. are/ feparated to the gofpel of
Chrift, . and cannot unite with any thing
which Hands in bppofftion to the purity of it.
The neceflSty.jof an inward ftillnefs, hath
under thefe: exercifes appeared clear to my
mind; in tdue/iifenoe .ftrength is renewed,
theimiind hdrein lis weaned: from: ail things,
bat as they:may. be enjoyed, in the divine
will, and a iowlitaefe nn. /outward living op-
-pofite to worldly harioUr; becomes truly ac-
;CBptabte to- ss ;— -in the ;<defire after outward
gain, thd7mind is prevented from a. perfed
attention to the voice' of Chrift; but being
fdsiganed from all things, but as they may be
enjoyed in the divine will, the. pure light
ihlnes into the foul : and where the fruits of
that

428 An EPISTLE.
that fpirit which is of this world, are brought
forth by many who profefs to-be led by the
fpirit of truth, and cloudinefs is felt to be
gathering over the vifible gathered church,
the fincere in heart who abide in true ftillnefs,
and are exercifed therein before the Lord for
his name fake, have a knowledge of Chrift
in the fellowfhip of his fufferings, and in
ward thankfulnefs is felt at times, that thro'
divine love our own wifdom is caft out, and
that forward adive part in us fubjeded,
which would rife and db fomething in the
vifible gathered church, without the pure
-leadings of the Spirit of Chrift. ;:
- While aught remains in -us different from
a perfed refignation of our wills, it is like a
feal to a book wherein is written " that good,
'¦ and acceptable, and perfed will of God
'.' concerning us." Rom. xii. 2,- but when
our minds entirely yield- .to Chrift, that
filence is known, whbh followeth the open
ing of the laft of the feals. Rev. viii. 1. in
this filence we barn- abiding in- the divine
>will, and there, feel, that we have no caufe
to promote but that only in. which the light
oflifedireds us in our proceedings, and that
the alone way to be ufeful in the church of
Chrift, is to abide faithfully under the lead
ings of his Holy Spirit in all cafes, and being
preferved thereby in purity of heart, and ho-
linefs of converfation, a teftimony to the pu
rity of his government may be held forth
through us, to others. As

An E P I S T L E. 429
As my mind hath been thus exercifed^ I
have feen that to be adive, and bufy in the
vifible gathered church, without the leadings
ofthe Holy Spirit is not only unprofitable, *
but tends to increafe dimnefs, and where^
v^ay is not opened to proceed in the light of t
truth, a flop is felt by thofe who humbly at- ,
tend to the Divine Leader, a flop which in
relation tp good order in the vifible gathered
ehurch, is of the greateft cbhfequence to be
db'ferved; thus Robert Barclay in his treatife
on difcipline holds forth, page 65. 68. 84.
" That the judgment or conclufion of the
church or congregation, is no further effec-r
tual as to the true end and defign thereof,
but as fuch judgment or conclufion proceeds
from the Spirit of God operating on their
minds who1 are fandified in Ohrift Jefus."
-Now in -this flop I have learned the necefc-
fity of waiting on the Lord in humility, that
fhe works of all may be brought to light,
and thofeto judgment which are wrought in
the wifdom r of this world, and have alfo
feen, that in a mind thoroughly fubjeded to
the power of the crofs, there is a favour of
life to. be' felt, which evidently tends to ga
ther fouls . to God, while the greateft works
in the vifible gathered church brought forth
in man's wifdom, remain to be unprofitable,
Where people are divinely gathered into a
holy fellowfhip, and faithfully abide under
the influence of that Spirit which leads into
all truth, " they are the light of the world,"
Mat. v. 1 4. Now holding this profeffion, to
Ff me

430 An EPISTLE.
me hath appeared weighty,- even beyond
what I can fully exprefs, and what our bbf
fed Lord feemed to have in view, when he
propofed the neceflity of counting the coft,
before we begin to build.
I truft there are many who at times, under
divine vifitation, feel an inward inquiry af
ter God, and when fuch in the fimplicity. of
their hearts mark the lives of a people who
profefs to walk by the leadings of his Spirit,
of what great concernment is it that our
lights fhine clear, that nothing of our con
dud carry a contradidion to the truth as it is
in Jefus, or be a means of profaning his holy
Name, and be a ftumbling block in the way
of thofe fincere enquirers.
When fuch feekers who wearied with
empty forms, look towards uniting with us
as a people, and behold adive members a-
mong us depart in their cuftomary way of
living, from that purity of life, which under
humbling exercifes hath been opened before
them,, as the way of the Lord's people, how
mournful and difcouraging is the profped !
and how ftrongly doth fuch unfaithfulnefs
operate againft the fpreading of the peaceable,
harmonious principle and teftimony of truth
amongft mankind ?
In entring into that life, which is hid
with Chrift in God, we behold his peaceable
government, where the whole family are go^
verned by the fame fpirit, and the " doing
" to others as we would they fhould do un-
" to us," groweth up as good fruit from a
good

An EPISTLE. 431
good tree, the peace, quietnefs, and harmo
nious walking in this government is beheld
with humble reverence to him who is the
author of it, and in partaking of the Spirit
of Chrift, we partake of that which labours,
and fuffers for the increafe of this peaceable
government among the inhabitants of the
world ; and I have felt a labour of long con
tinuance that we who profefs this peaceable
principle, may be faithful flandard-bearers
under the Prince of Peace, and that nothing
of asdefijing nature, tending to difcord and
wars, may remain among us.
May each of us query with ourfelves, have
the treafures I poffefs, been gathered in that
wifdom which is from above, fo far as hath
appeared to me ?
Have none of my fellow-creatures an equi
table right to any part which is called mine ?
Have the gifts, and poffeflions received by
me from others been conveyed in a way free
from all unrighteoufnefs fo far as I have
feen? The principle of peace in which our truft
is only on the Lord, and our minds weaned
from a dependance on the ftrength of armies,
hath appeared to me very precious, and I
often feel ftrong defires, that we who pro
fefs this principle, may fo walk, as to give
juft caufe for none of our fellow-creatures to
be offended at us ; that our lives may evi
dently manifeft, that we are redeemed from
that fpirit in which wars are : Our bleffed
Saviour in pointing out the danger of fo
leaning

432 An E P I S T L E.
leaning on man, as to negbd the leadings of
his Holy Spirit, faid, " Call no man your
" father upon the earth ; for one is your far
" ther which is in heaven, Mat. xxiii. 9.
where the wifdom from above is faithfully/
followed, and therein we are entrufted with
fubftance, it is a treafure committed to our
pare in the nature of an inheritance, as an
inheritance from him, who formed, and fup-
ports the world. Now in this condition the
true enjoyment pf the things of this life
is underftood, and that bleffing felt, in which
is real fafety ; this is that I apprehend our
bbffed Lord had in view, when he pronoun-:
ced, "Bleffed are the meek, for they fnall inhe-^
" rit the earth."
Selfifh worldly minded men may hold lands
in the felfifh fpirit, and depending on the
ftrength of the outward power, be perplexed
with fecret uneafinefs, left the injured fhould
fometime overpower them, and that meafure
meted to them, which they meafure to others.
- — Thus felfifh men may poffefs the earth ;
but if is the meek who inherit it, and enjoy
it as an inheritance from the heavenly Fa
ther, free from all the defilements and per
plexities of unrighteoufnefs.
Where proceedings have been in that wifr
dom which is from beneath, and inequitable
gain gathered by a man, and left as a gift
to his children, who being entangled by thp
fame worldly fpirit, have not attained to that
elearnefs of light in which the channels of
righteoufnefs. are opened, and juftice done to
thofe

An EPISTLE. 433
4hofe who remain fibnt under injuries : Here
I have feen under humbling exercife of mind,
that the fins of the fathers are embraced by
the children, and become their fins, and thus
in the days of tribulation, the iniquities of
the fathers are vifited upon thefe children,
who take hold of the unrighteoufnefs of their
fathers, and live in that fpirit in which thofe
iniquities were committed ; to which agreeth
the prophecy of Mofes, concerning a rebel
lious people. *' They that are left of you
•' fhall pine away in their iniquities, _, in your
" enemy's land, and in the iniquities of their
" fathers fhall they pine away." Lev. xxyj. 39.
and our blefled Lord in beholding the hard
nefs of heart in that generation, and feeling
in himfelf, that they lived in the fame fpirit
in which the prophets had been perfecute4
Unto death, fignified, " that the blood of all
" the prophets which was fhed from the
" foundation of the world, fhould be requi-
*' red of that generation, from the blood of
" Abel, unto the blood of Zacharias, which
" perifhed between the altar and the temple."
Luke xi. 5 1 .
Tender compaffion fills my heart toward
my fellow-creatures eftranged from the har
monious 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 fuffer adyer-
fity for Chrift's fake, and weaned from a de
pendance on the arm of flefh, we feel, that
there is a reft for the people of God, and
G g that

434 An EPISTLE.
that it ftands in a perfed refignation of our
felves to his holy Will ; in this condition,
all our wants and defires are bounded by pure
wifdom, and our minds wholly attentive to
the council of Chrift inwardly communicated,
which hath appeared tp me as a habitation
of fafety for the Lord's people, in times of
outward- commotion and trouble, and defires
ijronfc the fountain of pure love, are opened
in me, to invite my brethren and fellow-
creatures , to feel for, and feek after that
which gathers the mind into it,
'^^t^^'l J°HN WOOLMAN.

FINIS.

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late Treafurer of the Briftol Infirmary and one of the peo-?
pie called Quakers. Price n.'jd.h.

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