{"collection":"scripture-revelation","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/gutenberg_37311/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/gutenberg_37311","id":"gutenberg_37311","license":"Public Domain (US)","rights_basis":"gutenberg_metadata_copyright_false","source":"gutenberg","source_url":"https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/37311","summary":null,"tags":["Category: Biographies","Category: Essays, Letters & Speeches","Category: Religion/Spirituality","Quakers -- Biography","Woolman, John, 1720-1772"],"text":"</pre>\n\n\n\nProduced by Chris Curnow, Michael, Mary Meehan and the\nOnline Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n                         EVERYMAN'S LIBRARY\n\n                        EDITED BY ERNEST RHYS\n\n\n                             BIOGRAPHY\n\n\n                       JOHN WOOLMAN'S JOURNAL\n\n                       WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY\n                           VIDA D. SCUDDER\n\n\nTHE PUBLISHERS OF _EVERYMAN'S LIBRARY_ WILL BE PLEASED TO SEND FREELY TO\nALL APPLICANTS A LIST OF THE PUBLISHED AND PROJECTED VOLUMES TO BE\nCOMPRISED UNDER THE FOLLOWING TWELVE HEADINGS:\n\n\n    TRAVEL\n    SCIENCE\n    FICTION\n    THEOLOGY & PHILOSOPHY\n    HISTORY\n    CLASSICAL\n    FOR YOUNG PEOPLE\n    ESSAYS\n    ORATORY\n    POETRY & DRAMA\n    BIOGRAPHY\n    ROMANCE\n\n\nIN TWO STYLES OF BINDING, CLOTH, FLAT BACK, COLOURED TOP, AND LEATHER,\nROUND CORNERS, GILT TOP.\n\n    LONDON: J. M. DENT & SONS, LTD.\n    NEW YORK: E. P. DUTTON & CO.\n\nA GOOD BOOK IS THE PRECIOUS LIFE-BLOOD OF A MASTER SPIRIT EMBALMED &\nTREASURED UPON PURPOSE TO A LIFE BEYOND LIFE--MILTON\n\n\n\n\nTHE JOURNAL _with other_ WRITINGS _of_ JOHN WOOLMAN\n\n\n    LONDON: PUBLISHED\n    by J. M. DENT & SONS LTD\n    AND IN NEW YORK\n    BY E. P. DUTTON & CO\n\n    _All rights reserved_\n\n\n\n\nINTRODUCTION\n\n\nFrom the days of Charles Lamb to those of Dr. Eliot of Harvard, the\nunique charm and worth of the _Journal of John Woolman_ have been\nsignalled by a thinker of distinction here and there, and the book, if\nnot widely known, has quietly found its way to many hearts and been\nreprinted in sundry editions. The more formal works, however, in which\nthis gentle and audacious eighteenth-century Quaker-preacher spoke out\nhis whole careful mind have been for the most part neglected. These\nworks are sometimes prosy, always indifferent to style in their\nunflinching quest for \"pure wisdom,\" often concerned with the dead issue\nof negro slavery. Yet even in this last case they have much value as\nhistoric documents; no full knowledge of Woolman's spirit is possible\nwithout them; and not to know that spirit in its entirety is a distinct\nloss.\n\nThe present edition, while making no claim to critical completeness,\npresents the main accessible body of Woolman's writings. Here is a well\nof purest water, \"dug deep,\" to use the Quaker phrase. The mere\nlimpidity of the water will be joy enough for some: others gazing into\nit may feel that they see down to the proverbial Truth--the very origin\nof things, the foundations of the moral universe.\n\nA studious moderation of utterance is the first quality to make itself\nfelt in Woolman's works. To casual or jaded readers who crave the\nword-embroidery, the heightened note, of the romanticist in style, the\nresult may seem colourless. Here is a lack of adjectives, an entire\nabsence of emphasis, a systematic habit of under-statement that, in the\nclimax of a paragraph or the crisis of an emotion, seems at times almost\nludicrous. Yet to the reader of severer taste, this very absence of\nemphasis, so quaintly sober, so sensitive in its unfaltering reticence,\nbecomes the choicest grace of Woolman's style. As is the style, so is\nthe man. Woolman \"studied to be quiet,\" and his steady self-discipline\nwas rewarded by a scrupulous yet instinctive control over the finest\nshades of verity in speech and life. In the youthful trouble of deep\nreligious feeling, when he \"went to meetings,\" as he expressively tell\nus, \"in an awful frame of mind,\" he spoke a few words one day, under \"a\nstrong exercise of spirit.\" \"But not keeping close to the divine\nopening, I said more than was required of me, and being soon sensible of\nmy error, I was afflicted in mind some weeks, without any light or\ncomfort, even to such a degree that I could not take satisfaction in\nanything.\" The mistake was not often repeated; for as he writes in\nmemorable words: \"As I was thus humbled and disciplined under the Cross,\nmy understanding became more strengthened to distinguish the pure spirit\nthat inwardly moves upon the heart, and taught me to wait in silence,\nsometimes for many weeks together, till I felt that rise which prepares\nthe creature to stand like a trumpet through which the Lord speaks to\nHis flock.\" A fine passage towards the end of the _Journal_ shows that\nthe danger of speaking without this \"pure spirit\" was ever present to\nhim. \"Many love to hear eloquent orations, and if there is not a careful\nattention to the Gift, men who have once laboured in the pure Gospel\nministry, growing weary of suffering and ashamed of appearing weak, may\nkindle a fire, compass themselves about with sparks, and walk in the\nlight, not of Christ who is under suffering, but of that fire which they\ngoing from the Gift have kindled; and that in hearers which has gone\nfrom the meek suffering state into the worldly wisdom, may be warmed\nwith this fire and speak highly of these labours. In this journey, a\nlabour hath attended my mind that the ministers amongst us may be\npreserved in the meek, feeling life of truth.\" No man could so keenly\nanalyse the snare of fluency and popularity, who had not spent a life on\nguard. The reserve of his writings is a natural consequence. One\nsearches these pages in vain, often controversial though they be, for a\nsingle point in which the note is forced or emotion escapes control.\n\nYet the emotional intensity concealed beneath this equable habit of\nsoul, is evident from the first line to the last. In the fine phrase of\nthe Friends after his death, Woolman \"underwent many deep baptisms;\" how\ndeep, the _Journal_ reveals. He was a man of impassioned tenderness.\nEven as a child he saw \"that as the mind is moved by an inward principle\nto love God as an invisible, incomprehensible Being, so by the same\nprinciple it is moved to love Him in all his manifestations in the\nvisible world. That as by his breath the flame of life has kindled in\nall sensible creatures, to say that we love God as unseen and at the\nsame time exercise cruelty toward the least creature moving by his life,\nor by life derived from Him, is a contradiction in itself.\" Woolman did\nnot only say these things, he felt them. He is among the great lovers of\nthe world. His tenderness for animals was always keen, from the days in\nwhich, as he has told us, he suffered childish remorse from having\nkilled a robin, to his last voyage, when in the midst of personal\nsuffering, he noted pityingly the dull and pining appearance of the\n\"dunghill fowls\" on board. \"I believe,\" he writes, \"where the love of\nGod is verily perfected, a care will be felt that we do not lessen that\nsweetness of life in the animal creation which the great Creator intends\nfor them under our government.\"\n\nHe who so sympathised with the robin and the cock was filled with a\nyearning compassion for the sorrows of humanity. Of him as of Shelley it\nmight well be said, \"He was as a nerve o'er which do creep the else\nunfelt oppressions of the earth.\" We read of his appetite failing\nthrough the agitation of his mind over human pain and his relations to\nit. In his last illness he broke forth in words that might have been\nuttered by S. Catherine of Siena: \"O Lord my God! The amazing horrors of\ndarkness were gathered around me and covered me all over, and I saw no\nway to go forth. I felt the misery of my fellow-beings separated from\nthe divine harmony, and it was heavier than I could bear; I was crushed\ndown under it.\" All great lovers are great sufferers: Woolman was no\nexception to the rule.\n\nIf he knew deep sorrow he knew deep joy also, as all must do who like\nhim \"live under the Cross and simply follow the operations of Truth.\"\nMore is unuttered than uttered in the _Journal_, yet through its\nsilences we may read an inner experience akin to that of Bunyan or\nPascal. Like these great protagonists of the Spirit, he knew a peace\ngiven \"not as the world giveth.\" For peace can be where ease is not.\nDecorous son of an unillumined century, John Woolman is of the company\nof the Mystics. He is of those led by the Shepherd of Souls beside the\nstill waters. He has suggested his own secret: \"Some glances of real\nbeauty may be seen in their faces who dwell in true meekness. There is a\nharmony in the sound of that voice to which Divine love gives utterance,\nand some appearance of right order in their temper and conduct whose\npassions are regulated. Yet all these do not fully show forth that\ninward life to those who have not felt it; but this white stone and new\nname are known rightly only to such as have them.\" \"Pure\" is the central\nword of the _Journal_, and the beauty of pure contemplative quietude is\nthe final impression conveyed by this record so full of anguish over the\nsorrows of humanity and of unflinching witness against wickedness, borne\nat the expense of the crucifixion of the natural man.\n\n       *       *       *       *       *\n\nA chief value of Woolman's works consists in his serene application of\nhis mystical intuitions to the affairs of this world. He who \"dwelt deep\nin an inward stillness\" studied his age with a penetrating sagacity that\nallowed no evasions. The man so carefully on his guard against\nextravagance was a reformer who pushed his demands, as some would think,\nalmost beyond the border of sanity. No temper was ever more opposed to\nfanaticism: yet many readers may question whether he escaped the doom of\nthe fanatic. And the most pertinent reason for a re-issue of his works\nat this juncture is, that in our own day so many hearts are troubled\nlike his own. A generation seeking guidance on the path of social duty\nwill find here a precursor of Ruskin and Tolstoi, a man whose thought,\ndespite the quaintness of his diction, has a quite extraordinary\nmodernness, and whose searchings of conscience are none of them\nfamiliar.\n\nThe main contemporary issue that agitated Woolman was of course the\nslave-trade, and he was long regarded all but exclusively as a herald of\nthe anti-slavery movement. But the Fabian Society did well to suggest,\nin reprinting one of his tracts, the broader scope of his thinking. It\nwill be evident from this edition that his horror of chattel slavery was\none incident only in that general attitude toward civilisation which\ndrew from him the bitter cry: \"Under a sense of deep revolt and an\noverflowing stream of unrighteousness, my life has often been a life of\nmourning.\" The central evil which he opposed was, in brief, the\nexploitation of labour: the ideal which he sought was a society in which\nno man should need to profit by the degradation of his fellow-men. For\neconomic analysis of the modern type one naturally looks in vain; moral\nanalysis of social relations has, however, rarely been carried farther.\nThese little essays \"On Labour,\" \"On the Right Use of the Lord's Outward\nGifts,\" \"On Loving our Neighbour,\" these \"Considerations on the True\nHarmony of Mankind,\" this \"Word of Remembrance and Caution to the Rich,\"\nreveal through their quaint formalities of phrase a searching spirit not\nto be outdone to-day.\n\nWoolman felt \"a concern in the spring of pure love, that all who have\nplenty of outward substance may example others in the right use of\nthings, may carefully look into the condition of poor people, and beware\nof exacting of them in regard to their wages.\" He was solicitous, as\nmany have been since his day, over the perplexities of those who seek to\ncombine a due care for their own families with consideration for the\nwage-earner, \"in a fruitful land where the wages bear so small a\nproportion to the necessaries of life.\" \"There are few if any,\" he says\ntruly, \"could behold their fellow-creatures lie long in distress and\nforbear to help them when they could do it without any inconvenience;\nbut customs, requiring much labour to support them, do often lie heavy\nupon the poor, while they who live in these customs are so entangled in\na multitude of unnecessary concerns that they think but little of the\nhardships the poor people go through.\" To lessen these \"concerns,\" thus\nto emancipate the labourer from a part of the crushing burden of\nproduction, became his central thought. \"In beholding that unnecessary\ntoil which many go through in supporting outward greatness, and\nprocuring delicacies; in beholding how the true calmness of life is\nchanged into hurry, and that many, by eagerly pursuing outward treasure,\nare in danger of withering as to the inward state of the mind; in\nmeditating on the works of this spirit, and the desolations it makes\namong the professors of Christianity, I may thankfully acknowledge that\nI often feel pure love beget longings in my mind for the exaltation of\nthe peaceable Kingdom of Christ, and an engagement to labour according\nto the Gift bestowed upon me for promoting an humble, plain, temperate\nway of living.\"\n\nThe Simple Life is then Woolman's plea, and the necessity for social\nsacrifice the burden of his teaching. This plea he presents with no\nvagueness or Wagnerian sentimentality, but with an alarming precision of\noutline.\n\nNo man ever described better the insensible growth of worldly convention\ninto that custom which \"lies upon us with a weight heavy as frost and\ndeep almost as life.\" Noting the gradual lapse of the Friends from their\nearlier standards of unworldliness, he says: \"These things, though done\nin calmness without any show of disorder, do yet deprave the mind in\nlike manner and with as great certainty as prevailing cold congeals\nwater.\" And again, \"Though the change from day to night is by a motion\nso gradual as scarcely to be perceived, yet when night is come we behold\nit very different from the day; and thus as people become wise in their\nown eyes and prudent in their own sight, customs rise up from the spirit\nof this world and spread, by little and little, till a departure from\nthe simplicity that is in Christ becomes as distinguishable as light\nfrom darkness to such who are crucified to the world.\" So the\ngenerations as they pass slip further and further from \"pure wisdom,\"\nfor \"the customs of their parents, and their neighbours, working upon\ntheir minds, and they from thence conceiving ideas of things and modes\nof conduct, the entrance into their hearts becomes in a great measure\nshut up against the gentle movings of Uncreated Purity.\" Woolman is too\nwise to feel resentment against those so hardened; rather he says,\n\"Compassion hath filled my heart toward my fellow-creatures involved in\ncustoms, grown up in the wisdom of this world, which is foolishness with\nGod.\"\n\nTo his own spirit, we may well apply the description in the little essay\non \"Merchandising,\" of the growing sensitiveness among the faithful\nfriends of Christ, who \"inwardly breathe that His Kingdom may come on\nearth\" and \"learn to be very attentive to the means He may appoint for\npromoting pure righteousness.\" His ideal is \"that state in which Christ\nis the Light of our life,\" so that \"our labours stand in the true\nharmony of society.\" \"In this state,\" he writes, \"a care is felt for a\nreformation in general, that our own posterity, with the rest of mankind\nin succeeding ages, may not be entangled by oppressive customs,\ntransmitted to them through our hands.\" When we consider the deepening\ndesire in our own day to lessen for the next generation that intolerable\nburden of social compunction which rests upon ourselves, may we perhaps\ndare to hope that this blessed \"state,\" in which John Woolman himself\nconstantly abode, is becoming common?\n\nThe definite issues suggested in these pages are often surprisingly\nmodern. Now the fine old Quaker is perturbed over the question of\ntainted money: \"Have the gifts and possessions received by me from\nothers been conveyed in a way free from all unrighteousness so far as I\nhave seen?\" Now he notes the evils of over-work: \"I have observed that\ntoo much labour not only makes the understanding dull, but so intrudes\nupon the harmony of the body that, after ceasing from our toil, we have\nanother to pass through before we can enjoy the sweetness of rest,\" and\nproceeds to plead with energy for mercy and moderation in the standard\nof toil exacted from the poor. \"The condition of many who dwell in\ncities,\" had \"affected him with brotherly sympathy.\" Again we find him\ntouching on the problem of dangerous trades, or analysing with the\npuzzle of the pioneer the ancient fallacy that the production of\nluxuries relieves economic distress--a fallacy to which he gives in\nquaint phrase a sound refutal. In the fifth chapter of the \"Word of\nRemembrance,\" the interested reader will find a remarkable and very\nbeautiful prophecy of the central principle of the settlement movement.\nAnd so we might go on.\n\nIn the twelfth century Woolman's solution would probably have been found\nin withdrawal from the evil world to the purity of desert or convent.\nNot so in the eighteenth. He remained among his brethren, bearing on his\nheart the burden of the common guilt: he was one of the first people to\nperceive that the moral sense must control not only our obvious but also\nour hidden relations with our fellows. And his experience may be said to\nmark the exact point where the individualism of the Puritan age broke\ndown, unable to stand the strain of the growing sense of social\nsolidarity. The intense but often naively self-centred conception of the\nreligious life common to a Bunyan and an Edwardes had proved inadequate,\nand a new demand for an extension of Christianity to the remotest\nreaches of practical life, till human society be transformed in its\ndepth and its breadth by a supernatural power, was consciously born.\n\nYet if Woolman's problem be social, his solution is individualistic. It\nis found in a resolute endeavour to clear his own life of any dependence\non evil. Among the many experiments on the same lines, none more\nthorough-going is recorded; he pushed consistency to a farther point\nthan Tolstoi or Thoreau. It is the story of this experiment that he\ntells us in the _Journal_, with a rare sincerity. See him as a lad,\nstarting out peaceably at his trade of tailor, easily reaching\ncommercial success--for Woolman possessed practical ability,--but\n\"perceiving merchandise to be attended with much cumber,\" and deciding\naccordingly not to develop his business. Watch from this time the\ninteraction of two co-operating forces, a craving for personal purity,\nand a horror of profiting by human pain,--and note that while the first\nimpulse never waned, the second became more and more constraining. The\nrecord of his various \"concerns\" is delightfully human and appealing. He\nhated to be morally fussy, and the necessity of violating good breeding\nat the call of conscience caused him acute distress, for he had an\ningrained instinct of good manners. Yet though \"the exercise was heavy,\"\nhe bravely took his elders to task on occasion: refused to accept free\nhospitality from slave-holders, forcing money on them for his\nentertainment; and, what is still harder, laboured with his friends.\n\"Thou who travels in the work of the ministry, and art made very welcome\nby thy friends, it is good for thee to dwell deep that thou mayest feel\nand understand the spirits of people.... I have seen that in the midst\nof kindness and smooth conduct, to speak close and home to them who\nentertain us on points that relate to their outward interest, is hard\nlabour, and sometimes when I have felt Truth lead toward it I have found\nmyself disqualified by a superficial friendship.... To see the failings\nof our friends and think hard of them without opening that which we\nought to open, and still carry a face of friendship, this tends to\nundermine the foundation of true unity.\" A man, sensitive, humble, and\nwell-bred as Woolman evidently was, who can write thus, is pretty sure\nto know \"deep exercises that are mortifying to the creaturely will.\"\nSome of his concerns, as those relating to the payment of taxes and the\nentertainment of soldiers, were common to the Friends; others are\napparently inventions of his own. As time went on they increased and\nmultiplied, all practically springing from the common root, the desire\nto avoid the oppression of the poor. Greed and the wish for ease came to\nseem a root of all evil. Travelling among the Indians, he felt the\nintimate relation of their misfortunes to the hunger of the English race\nfor luxury and land. The use of dyes harmful to the worker forced him to\nwear undyed garments, even though to his meek distress a passing fashion\nof white hats made him run the danger of being confounded with the\nchildren of this world. A concern came upon him to go on foot in his\npreaching journeys: at first apparently that he might, like his Master,\nappear in the form of a servant; later, that he might have no complicity\nin the miseries suffered by the little post-boys employed in the\nchaises. Nothing is clearer to the reader of the _Journal_ than the\nrapid increase of this holy or foolish sensitiveness. Seeking not to\ntrade with oppressors, he refuses to gratify his palate with sugars\nprepared by the slave labour: under inward pressure to visit the West\nIndies, he has anxious scruples about taking passage on a ship owned by\nthe West India Company, but decides that he may do so if he pays a sum\nsufficiently larger than that demanded to compensate the labour involved\non another basis than that of slavery. At last--and here the crisis of\nhis experience draws near--he feels himself inwardly bound to go to\nEngland; and decides that it is his duty to travel in the steerage,\nbecause forsooth the adornments of the cabin have cost vain and\ndegrading labour. The horrors of a steerage passage in those days are\nwell known to us from other sources; and among our visions of the\nmartyrs of Truth we may well preserve the picture of John Woolman, his\npatient Quaker face upturned at midnight through the hatch, panting for\na breath of air. Through the studied quiet of the narrative, the\nshrinking of the flesh can plainly be felt. The whole story at this\npoint palpitates with a solemn pain and an exceeding peace. As usual,\nthe sufferings of others form the larger part of his pain: he is wracked\nwith sympathy for the sailors, and moved to a grieved indignant study of\ntheir temptations and afflictions which is good reading still to-day.\nArrived in England, his experience deepens. As usual, he writes without\nemphasis: but his distress and tenderness are in every line. In a\npassage that reads as if penned by Engels or Rowntree, he makes careful\npitying note of the scale of wages and cost of living, and cries out\nsharply, \"Oh, may the wealthy consider the poor! May those who have\nplenty lay these things to heart!\" We perceive that he is realising with\nincreasing perplexity the extraordinary intricacy with which \"the spirit\nof oppression\" is entwined with the most innocent and necessary\npursuits. \"Silence as to every motion proceeding from the love of money\nand an humble waiting upon God to know his will concerning us appear\nnecessary: 'He alone is able' so to direct us in our outward employments\nthat pure universal love may shine forth in our proceedings.\" In\n\"bowedness of spirit\" he proceeds northward, and it is evident that the\nbody is growing weaker as he makes his silent laborious way on foot,\nbearing from town to town the message of his Lord. He is offered to\ndrink when thirsty, in silver vessels, and declines, \"telling his case\nwith weeping.\" Disgusted, \"being but weakly,\" with \"the scent arising\nfrom that filth which more or less infects the air of all closely\nsettled towns,\" he feels distress both in body and mind with that which\nis impure, and a longing \"that people might come in to cleanness of\nspirit, cleanness of person, and cleanness about their houses and\ngarments:\" noting at the same time, with his accustomed sagacity, that\n\"some who are great carry delicacy to a great height themselves, and yet\nreal cleanliness is not generally promoted.\" So continues his travail of\nsoul, recorded in these pathetic and illumined pages, and before long\nthe fatal disorder, small-pox, seizes upon him. He dies among strangers\nafter lying patiently through his illness in the spirit of prayer, still\nsaying characteristically to the young apothecary Friend with whom he\nhad \"found a freedom to confer,\" \"that if anything should be proposed as\nto medicine that did not come through defiled channels or oppressive\nhands, he should be willing to consider and take it so far as he found\nfreedom.\" Almost his last words, when already he could hardly be\nunderstood, are charged with his steady social compunction.\n\nDear John Woolman! Pure and high spirit, incapable of evasion,\nnoteworthy no less for restraint and gentleness than for the resolute\ndetermination to translate the undimmed vision of the Perfect Right into\nterms of our daily existence! Whither would his \"concerns\" have carried\nhim, had not the Angel of Small-Pox ended his wistful and unrelenting\nquest? He died in 1772, having lived his life before the industrial\nrevolution, in days which we are wont to envy as simpler and less beset\nby social problems than our own. Certainly they were days in which the\nnetwork of human relations was far less intricate than now. Yet the\nprocess in which he was engaged reached out to limits beyond our power\nto scan, and his experience is in one point of view an heroic _reductio\nad absurdum_. No more instructive attempt was ever made to attain\npersonal purity while neither withdrawing from the world nor\ntransforming it. To-day the number is on the increase of persons who\nsuffer under the sense of social guilt. All who know such suffering and\nare inclined to think the conversion of individuals adequate as an\nultimate remedy, will do well to ponder these pages. For the conclusion\nis forced on us that Woolman was in an _impasse_: and while we love and\nreverence the heavenly sturdiness of soul possessed by this\neighteenth-century saint, we must recognise with amusement touched by\ntenderness the hopelessness of his efforts to attain personal purity,\nthe ridiculous extremes of isolation into which such a conscientious\neffort, if logically carried out, would lead us. The definite inference\nfrom Woolman's life and thought will be for most modern people the\nconviction of the hopelessness of the attempt to achieve, by individual\nmeans and private effort, a satisfying social righteousness in an\nunchanged world.\n\nAfter all, Woolman's trouble and sorrow and tumult of spirit, so\nsuggestive, so helpful to modern souls, were transitory. At the heart of\nhis \"endless agitation\" subsisted a \"central peace.\" His was the grace\nto know that \"deep humility is a strong bulwark,\" and to \"look less at\nthe effects of the labour than at the pure motion and reality of the\nconcern.\" The gentleness with which he delivered his fiery message was\nmore than a manner due to Quaker training, or even than a result of\nresolute self-discipline: it was the index of an inward stillness in\nwhich his soul dwelt undisturbed. Let us hope that the days may come\nwhen the \"concern\" about profiting by the painful or degrading labour of\nothers will have an interest as exclusively historic as the \"concern\"\nabout holding slaves has already attained. Tremulously it may be, yet\nsoberly and joyously, many clear-minded and practical people are\nbeginning to hope for such a day. When it comes, the immediate message\nof Woolman will be less cogent, but he will still continue to be read by\nthose who care for the revelations of a beautiful soul. These pages\noffer more than light on the path of social duty; they offer fellowship\nwith a spirit that \"dwelt deep,\" and attained an abiding loveliness\nbecause responsive through all turmoil of spirit and all outward\nsuffering, to the \"gentle movings of Uncreated Purity.\" \"That purity of\nlife,\" wrote he, \"which proceeds from faithfulness in following the\nSpirit of Truth, this habitation has often been opened before me as a\nplace of retirement for the children of the light, where we may stand\nseparated from that which disordereth and confuseth the affairs of\nsociety.\" Such a \"place of retirement for the Children of the Light,\"\nthis book affords.\n\nVIDA D. SCUDDER.\n\n\n\n\nBIBLIOGRAPHY\n\n\nSome Considerations on the Keeping of Negroes, recommended to the\nProfessors of Christianity of every Denomination, Part I., 1754; Part\nII., 1762; many later issues of both parts; Considerations on Pure\nWisdom and Human Policy, on Labour, Schools, and the Right Use of the\nLord's Outward Gifts, 1768, and numerous later reprints; Considerations\non the True Harmony of Mankind, and how it is to be Maintained, 1770,\nand later reprints; an Epistle to the Quarterly and Monthly Meetings of\nFriends, 1772; Remarks on Sundry Subjects, 1773, and later reprints;\nSerious Considerations on Various Subjects of Importance (containing the\nfour above works, and some expressions of John Woolman in his last\nillness), 1773; A First Book for Children, 1774 (?); A Journal of the\nLife, Gospel, Labours, and Christian Experiences of John Woolman, 1774,\nand many later editions; with Introduction by John Greenleaf Whittier,\n1871; with Introduction by A. Smellie, and Appreciation by J. G.\nWhittier (Books of the Heart), 1898; new century edition, with\nbibliography, etc., 1900; with foreword by Rev. R. J. Campbell, 1903; A\nWord of Remembrance and Caution to the Rich, 1793; later editions,\npublished by Fabian Society, 1898, 1908.\n\nLETTERS: Edited by J. Kendall (Letters on Religious Subjects, vol. ii.),\n1820; by J. and I. Comly (_Friends' Miscellany_, vol. i.), 1834; in\n_Journal_, and in _Friends' Review_, vols. v.-xxviii.\n\nWORKS: 1774; 5th edition, 1818.\n\nLIFE: Saint John Woolman (_Eclectic Review_), 1861; David Duncan,\npaper read at Manchester Friends' Institute, 1871; Dora Greenwell,\n1871; W. Garrett Horder, A Quaker Saint (_The Young Man_), 1874;\nreprinted in Quaker Worthies, 1896; T. Green, 1885, with Introduction by\nH. C. G. Moule, 1897; Sketch of the Life of John Woolman (Booklet\nSeries, No. 6), 1896; in Present Day Papers, vol. iii., 1900; a poem by\nBernard Barton, \"A Tribute to the Memory of John Woolman,\" appeared in\nvol. iii. of _The Friend_, and references to Woolman are found in Lamb,\nand in H. Crabb Robinson's Diary.\n\n\n\n\nCONTENTS\n\n\n    ADVERTISEMENT TO THE READER                                 3\n\n    THE TESTIMONY OF FRIENDS IN YORKSHIRE                       5\n\n    A TESTIMONY OF THE MONTHLY-MEETING OF FRIENDS               9\n\n    A JOURNAL OF THE LIFE AND TRAVELS OF JOHN WOOLMAN          17\n\n    THE LAST EPISTLE AND OTHER WRITINGS                       159\n\n    CONSIDERATIONS ON THE TRUE HARMONY OF MANKIND             177\n\n    AN EPISTLE TO THE QUARTERLY AND MONTHLY-MEETINGS OF\n    FRIENDS                                                   203\n\n    REMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS                                219\n\n    SOME EXPRESSIONS OF JOHN WOOLMAN IN HIS LAST ILLNESS      245\n\n\n\n\nTHE JOURNAL\n\n\n\n\nADVERTISEMENT TO THE READER\n\n\nThe manuscript JOURNAL of our late Friend JOHN WOOLMAN, was ended in\n_England_; where he also finished all his Labours. It appears, by a\nLetter which he sent, in his last Illness, to a Friend in _London_, that\nhe did not intend the whole should be printed, and that he desired the\nsaid Friend to revise what he had written in this Nation, and leave out\nsuch Parts as he should think proper. It was, notwithstanding, sent\nentire, without any Alteration, to _America_; where it was soon after\nprinted, together with several Tracts which had been published in his\nLife-time. But, as some Passages in the Journal contain Observations\nwhich appear to have been intended as private Memorandums only, and\nothers relate to Circumstances which happened in his native Country, not\nexpedient to be preserved on Record in this Nation, it is apprehended\nthat the following ABRIDGEMENT of it will be acceptable to Friends, and\nmay be of general Service; and, as many weighty Arguments and pertinent\nAdvices, relative to Slavery and the Oppression of the Negroes in the\nPlantations, are contained in the Journal, it was therefore apprehended\nthat two small Tracts on that Subject might be omitted in this\nAbridgement.\n\n\n\n\nTHE TESTIMONY OF FRIENDS IN YORKSHIRE\n\n_At their Quarterly-meeting held at York, the 24th and 25th of the third\nMonth 1773, concerning_\n\nJOHN WOOLMAN\n\n_Of_ Mount-Holly, _in the Province of New-Jersey, in_ America; _who\ndeparted this Life at the House of our Friend_, THOMAS PRIESTMAN, _in\nthe Suburbs of this City, the 7th of the tenth month 1772, and was\ninterred in the Burying-ground of Friends, the 9th of the same, aged\nabout fifty-two Years_\n\n\nThis our valuable Friend, having been under a religious Engagement for\nsome Time to visit Friends in this Nation, and more especially us in the\nnorthern Parts, undertook the same in full Concurrence and near Sympathy\nwith his Friends and Brethren at home, as appeared by Certificates from\nthe monthly and quarterly Meetings to which he belonged, and from the\nSpring-meeting of Ministers and Elders, held at _Philadelphia_ for\n_Pennsylvania_ and _New-Jersey_.\n\nHe arrived in the City of _London_ the beginning of the last\nYearly-meeting, and, after attending that Meeting, travelled northward,\nvisiting the Quarterly-meetings of _Hertfordshire_, _Buckinghamshire_,\n_Northamptonshire_, _Oxfordshire_, and _Worcestershire_, and divers\nparticular Meetings in his Way.\n\nHe visited many Meetings on the West Side of this County; also some in\n_Lancashire_ and _Westmorland_; from whence he came to our\nQuarterly-meeting in the last ninth Month; and though much out of\nHealth, yet was enabled to attend all the Sittings of that Meeting\nexcept the last.\n\nHis Disorder, then, which proved the Small-pox, increased speedily upon\nhim, and was very afflicting; under which he was supported in much\nMeekness, Patience, and Christian Fortitude. To those who attended him\nin his Illness his Mind appeared to be centered in divine Love; under\nthe precious Influence whereof, we believe, he finished his Course, and\nentered into the Mansions of everlasting Rest.\n\nIn the early Part of his Illness he requested a Friend to write, and he\nbroke forth thus:\n\n\"O Lord, my God! the amazing Horrors of Darkness were gathered around me\nand covered me all over, and I saw no Way to go forth: I felt the Misery\nof my Fellow-creatures separated from the divine Harmony, and it was\nheavier than I could bear, and I was crushed down under it: I lifted up\nmy Hand, and stretched out my Arm, but there was none to help me: I\nlooked round about, and was amazed: In the Depths of Misery, O Lord! I\nremembered that thou art omnipotent; that I had called thee Father; and\nI felt that I loved thee, and I was made quiet in thy Will, and I waited\nfor Deliverance from thee; thou hadst Pity upon me when no Man could\nhelp me: I saw that Meekness under suffering was shewed to us in the\nmost affecting Example of thy Son, and thou wast teaching me to follow\nhim, and I said, Thy Will, O Father, be done.\"\n\nMany more of his weighty Expressions might have been inserted here, but\nit was deemed unnecessary, they being already published in Print.\n\nHe was a Man endued with a large natural Capacity; and, being obedient\nto the Manifestations of divine Grace, having in Patience and Humility\nendured many deep Baptisms, he became thereby sanctified and fitted for\nthe Lord's Work, and was truly serviceable in his Church: Dwelling in\nawful Fear and Watchfulness, he was careful, in his public Appearances,\nto feel the putting forth of the divine Hand, so that the Spring of the\nGospel-ministry often flowed through him with great Sweetness and\nPurity, as a refreshing Stream to the weary Travellers toward the City\nof God: Skilful in dividing the Word, he was furnished by Him, in whom\nare hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge, to communicate freely\nto the several States of the People where his Lot was cast. His Conduct\nat other Times was seasoned with the like watchful Circumspection and\nAttention to the Guidance of divine Wisdom, which rendered his whole\nConversation uniformly edifying.\n\nHe was fully perswaded that as the Life of Christ comes to reign in the\nEarth, all Abuse and unnecessary Oppression, both of the human and brute\nCreation, will come to an End; but, under the Sense of a deep Revolt and\noverflowing Stream of Unrighteousness, his Life has been often a Life of\nmourning.\n\nHe was deeply concerned on account of that inhuman and iniquitous\nPractice of making Slaves of the People of _Africa_, or holding them in\nthat State; and, on that Account, we understand he hath not only written\nsome Books, but travelled much on the Continent of _America_, in order\nto make the Negro-masters (especially those in Profession with us)\nsensible of the evil of such a Practice; and though, in his Journey to\n_England_, he was far removed from the outward Sight of their\nSufferings, yet his deep Exercise of Mind remained, as appears by a\nshort Treatise he wrote in this Journey, and his frequent Concern to\nopen the miserable State of this deeply-injured People. His Testimony in\nthe last Meeting he attended was on this Subject; wherein he remarked,\nthat as we, as a Society, when under outward Sufferings, had often found\nit our Concern to lay them before those in Authority, and thereby, in\nthe Lord's Time, had obtained Relief, so he recommended this oppressed\nPart of the Creation to our Notice, that we may, as way may open,\nrepresent their Sufferings, in an Individual, if not a Society Capacity,\nto those in Authority.\n\nDeeply sensible that the Desire to gratify People's Inclinations in\nLuxury and Superfluities is the principal Ground of Oppression, and the\nOccasion of many unnecessary Wants, he believed it to be his Duty to be\na Pattern of great Self-denial with Respect to the Things of this Life,\nand earnestly to labour with Friends in the Meekness of Wisdom, to\nimpress on their Minds the great Importance of our Testimony in these\nThings, recommending to the Guidance of the blessed Truth in this and\nall other Concerns, and cautioning such as are experienced therein\nagainst contenting themselves with acting up to the Standard of others,\nbut to be careful to make the Standard of Truth, manifested to them, the\nMeasure of their Obedience; for, said he, \"that Purity of Life which\nproceeds from Faithfulness in following the Spirit of Truth, that State\nwhere our Minds are devoted to serve God, and all our Wants are bounded\nby his Wisdom,--this Habitation has often been opened before me, as a\nPlace of retirement for the Children of the Light, where they may stand\nseparated from that which disordereth and confuseth the Affairs of\nSociety, and where we may have a Testimony of our Innocence in the\nHearts of those who behold us.\"\n\nWe conclude with fervent Desires that we, as a People, may thus, by our\nExample, promote the Lord's Work in the Earth; and, our Hearts being\nprepared, may unite in Prayer to the great Lord of the Harvest, that as,\nin his infinite Wisdom, he hath greatly stripped the Church, by removing\nof late divers faithful Ministers and Elders, he may be pleased to send\nforth many more faithful Labourers into his Harvest.\n\n_Signed in, by Order, and on Behalf of, said Meeting_:\n\n    THOMAS BENNETT,\n    JOHN STORR,\n    JOSEPH EGLIN,\n    THOMAS PERKINSON,\n    JOSEPH WRIGHT,\n    SAMUEL BRISCOE,\n    JOHN TURNER,\n    JOSHUA ROBINSON,\n    THOMAS PRIESTMAN, and\n    divers other Friends.\n\n\n\n\nA TESTIMONY OF THE MONTHLY-MEETING OF FRIENDS\n\n_Held in_ Burlington, _the first Day of the eighth Month, in the Year of\nour Lord 1774, concerning our esteemed Friend,_\n\nJOHN WOOLMAN, DECEASED\n\n\nHe was born in _Northampton_, in the County of _Burlington_, and\nProvince of _West-New-Jersey_, in the eighth Month, 1720, of religious\nParents, who instructed him very early in the Principles of the\n_Christian_ Religion, as professed by the People called _Quakers_, which\nhe esteemed a Blessing to him, even in his young Years, tending to\npreserve him from the Infection of wicked Children; but, through the\nWorkings of the Enemy, and Levity incident to Youth, he frequently\ndeviated from those parental Precepts, by which he laid a renewed\nFoundation for Repentance, that was finally succeeded by a godly Sorrow\nnot to be repented of, and so became acquainted with that sanctifying\nPower which qualifies for true Gospel Ministry, into which he was called\nabout the twenty-second year of his Age; and, by a faithful Use of the\nTalents committed to him, he experienced an Increase, until he arrived\nat the State of a Father, capable of dividing the Word aright to the\ndifferent States he ministered unto; dispensing Milk to Babes, and Meat\nto those of riper Years. Thus he found the Efficacy of that Power to\narise, which, in his own Expressions, \"prepares the Creature to stand\nlike a Trumpet through which the Lord speaks to his People.\"--He was a\nloving Husband, a tender Father, and very humane to every Part of the\nCreation under his Care.\n\nHis Concern for the Poor and those in Affliction was evident by his\nVisits to them; whom he frequently relieved by his Assistance and\nCharity. He was for many Years deeply exercised on Account of the poor\nenslaved _Africans_, whose Cause, as he sometimes mentioned, lay almost\ncontinually upon him, and to obtain Liberty to those Captives, he\nlaboured both in public and private; and was favoured to see his\nEndeavours crowned with considerable Success. He was particularly\ndesirous that Friends should not be instrumental to lay Burthens on this\noppressed People, but remember the Days of suffering from which they had\nbeen providentially delivered; that, if Times of Trouble should return,\nno Injustice dealt to those in Slavery might rise in Judgment against\nus, but, being clear, we might on such Occasions address the Almighty\nwith a degree of Confidence, for his Interposition and Relief; being\nparticularly careful, as to himself, not to countenance Slavery even by\nthe Use of those Conveniences of Life which were furnished by their\nLabour.\n\nHe was desirous to have his own, and the Minds of others, redeemed from\nthe Pleasures and immoderate Profits of this World, and to fix them on\nthose Joys which fade not away; his principal Care being after a Life of\nPurity, endeavouring to avoid not only the grosser Pollutions, but those\nalso which, appearing in a more refined Dress, are not sufficiently\nguarded against by some well-disposed People. In the latter Part of his\nLife he was remarkable for the Plainness and Simplicity of his Dress,\nand, as much as possible, avoided the Use of Plate, costly Furniture,\nand feasting; thereby endeavouring to become an Example of Temperance\nand Self-denial, which he believed himself called unto, and was favoured\nwith Peace therein, although it carried the Appearance of great\nAusterity in the View of some. He was very moderate in his Charges in\nthe Way of Business, and in his Desires after Gain; and, though a Man of\nIndustry, avoided, and strove much to lead others out of extreme Labour\nand Anxiousness after perishable Things; being desirous that the\nStrength of our Bodies might not be spent in procuring Things\nunprofitable, and that we might use Moderation and Kindness to the brute\nAnimals under our Care, to prize the Use of them as a great Favour, and\nby no Means abuse them; that the Gifts of Providence should be\nthankfully received and applied to the Uses they were designed for.\n\nHe several Times opened a School at _Mount-Holly_, for the Instruction\nof poor Friends Children and others, being concerned for their Help and\nImprovement therein: His Love and Care for the rising Youth among us\nwere truly great, recommending to Parents and those who have the Charge\nof them, to chuse conscientious and pious Tutors, saying, \"It is a\nlovely Sight to behold innocent Children,\" and that \"to labour for their\nHelp against that which would mar the Beauty of their Minds, is a Debt\nwe owe them.\"\n\nHis Ministry was sound, very deep and penetrating, sometimes pointing\nout the dangerous Situation which Indulgence and Custom lead into;\nfrequently exhorting others, especially the Youth, not to be discouraged\nat the Difficulties which occur, but press after Purity. He often\nexpressed an earnest Engagement that _pure Wisdom_ should be attended\nto, which would lead into Lowliness of Mind and Resignation to the\ndivine Will, in which State small Possessions here would be sufficient.\n\nIn transacting the Affairs of Discipline, his Judgment was sound and\nclear, and he was very useful in treating with those who had done amiss;\nhe visited such in a private Way in that Plainness which Truth dictates,\nshewing great Tenderness and _Christian_ Forbearance. He was a constant\nAttender of our Yearly-meeting, in which he was a good Example, and\nparticularly useful; assisting in the Business thereof with great Weight\nand Attention. He several Times visited most of the Meetings of Friends\nin this and the neighbouring Provinces, with the Concurrence of the\nMonthly-meeting to which he belonged, and, we have Reason to believe,\nhad good Service therein, generally or always expressing, at his\nReturn, how it had fared with him, and the Evidence of Peace in his Mind\nfor thus performing his Duty. He was often concerned with other Friends\nin the important Service of visiting Families, which he was enabled to\ngo through to Satisfaction.\n\nIn the Minutes of the Meeting of Ministers and Elders for this Quarter,\nat the Foot of a List of the Members of that Meeting, made about five\nYears before his Death, we find in his Hand-writing the following\nObservations and Reflections. \"As looking over the Minutes, made by\nPersons who have put off this Body, hath sometimes revived in me a\nThought how Ages pass away; so this List may probably revive a like\nThought in some, when I and the rest of the Persons above-named are\ncentered in another State of Being.--The Lord, who was the Guide of my\nYouth, hath in tender Mercies helped me hitherto; he hath healed me of\nWounds, he hath helped me out of grievous Entanglements; he remains to\nbe the Strength of my Life; to whom I desire to devote myself in Time\nand in Eternity.\"--_Signed_, John Woolman.\n\nIn the twelfth Month, 1771, he acquainted this Meeting that he found his\nMind drawn towards a religious Visit to Friends in some Parts of\n_England_, particularly in _Yorkshire_. In the first Month, 1772, he\nobtained our Certificate, which was approved and endorsed by our\nQuarterly-meeting, and by the Half-year's-meeting of Ministers and\nElders at _Philadelphia_. He embarked on his Voyage in the fifth, and\narrived in _London_ in the sixth, Month following, at the Time of their\nannual Meeting in that City. During his short Visit to Friends in that\nKingdom, we are informed that his Services were acceptable and edifying.\nIn his last Illness he uttered many lively and comfortable Expressions,\nbeing \"perfectly resigned, having no Will either to live or die,\" as\nappears by the Testimony of Friends at _York_ in _Great-Britain_, in the\nSuburbs whereof, at the House of our Friend, _Thomas Priestman_, he died\nof the Small-pox, on the seventh Day of the tenth Month, 1772, and was\nburied in Friends Burying-ground in that City, on the ninth of the same,\nafter a large and solid Meeting held on the Occasion at their great\nMeeting-house, aged near fifty-two Years; a Minister upwards of\nthirty Years, during which Time he belonged to _Mount-Holly_\nParticular-meeting, which he diligently attended when at Home and in\nHealth of Body, and his Labours of Love, and pious Care for the\nProsperity of Friends in the blessed Truth, we hope may not be\nforgotten, but that his good Works may be remembered to Edification.\n\n_Signed in, and by Order of, the said Meeting, by_\n\nSAMUEL ALLINSON, _Clerk_.\n\n\nRead and approved at our Quarterly-meeting, held at _Burlington_ the\n29th of the eighth Month, 1774.\n\n_Signed, by Order of said Meeting_,\n\nDANIEL SMITH, _Clerk_.\n\n\n\n\nA JOURNAL OF THE LIFE, GOSPEL-LABOURS, AND CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCES, OF\nTHAT FAITHFUL MINISTER OF JESUS CHRIST,\n\nJOHN WOOLMAN;\n\nLate of MOUNT-HOLLY, in the Province of NEW-JERSEY.\n\nISAIAH xxxii. 17.\n\n    \"The Work of Righteousness shall be Peace; and the Effect of\n    Righteousness, Quietness and Assurance for ever.\"\n\n    LONDON:\n    Printed and sold by JAMES PHILLIPS, in\n    George-Yard, Lombard-Street.\n\n    M.DCC.LXXV.\n\n\n\n\nA JOURNAL OF THE LIFE AND TRAVELS OF JOHN WOOLMAN, IN THE SERVICE OF THE\nGOSPEL\n\n\nCHAPTER I\n\n    _His Birth and Parentage, with some Account of the Operations of\n    divine Grace on his Mind in his Youth_--_His first Appearance in the\n    Ministry_--_And his Considerations, while young, on the keeping of\n    Slaves_\n\nI have often felt a Motion of Love to leave some Hints in Writing of my\nExperience of the Goodness of God; and now, in the thirty-sixth Year of\nmy Age, I begin this Work.\n\nI was born in _Northampton_, in _Burlington_ County, _West-Jersey_, in\nthe Year 1720; and before I was seven Years old I began to be acquainted\nwith the Operations of divine Love. Through the Care of my Parents, I\nwas taught to read nearly as soon as I was capable of it; and, as I went\nfrom School one seventh Day, I remember, while my Companions went to\nplay by the Way, I went forward out of Sight, and, sitting down, I read\nthe 22d Chapter of the _Revelations_: \"He shewed me a pure River of\nWater of Life, clear as Chrystal, proceeding out of the Throne of God\nand of the Lamb, _etc._\" and, in reading it, my Mind was drawn to seek\nafter that pure Habitation, which, I then believed, God had prepared for\nhis Servants. The Place where I sat, and the Sweetness that attended my\nMind, remain fresh in my Memory.\n\nThis, and the like gracious Visitations, had that Effect upon me, that\nwhen Boys used ill Language it troubled me; and, through the continued\nMercies of God, I was preserved from it.\n\nThe pious Instructions of my Parents were often fresh in my Mind when I\nhappened to be among wicked Children, and were of Use to me. My Parents,\nhaving a large Family of Children, used frequently, on first Days after\nMeeting, to put us to read in the holy Scriptures, or some religious\nBooks, one after another, the rest sitting by without much Conversation;\nwhich, I have since often thought, was a good Practice. From what I had\nread and heard, I believed there had been, in past Ages, People who\nwalked in Uprightness before God, in a Degree exceeding any that I knew,\nor heard of, now living: And the Apprehension of there being less\nSteadiness and Firmness, amongst People in this Age than in past Ages,\noften troubled me while I was a Child.\n\nA Thing remarkable in my Childhood was, that once, going to a\nNeighbour's House, I saw, on the Way, a _Robin_ sitting on her Nest, and\nas I came near she went off, but, having young ones, flew about, and\nwith many Cries expressed her Concern for them; I stood and threw Stones\nat her, till, one striking her, she fell down dead: At first I was\npleased with the Exploit, but after a few Minutes was seized with\nHorror, as having, in a sportive Way, killed an innocent Creature while\nshe was careful for her Young: I beheld her lying dead, and thought\nthese young ones, for which she was so careful, must now perish for want\nof their Dam to nourish them; and, after some painful Considerations on\nthe Subject, I climbed up the Tree, took all the young Birds, and killed\nthem; supposing that better than to leave them to pine away and die\nmiserably: And believed, in this Case, that Scripture-proverb was\nfulfilled, \"The tender Mercies of the Wicked are cruel.\" I then went on\nmy Errand, but, for some Hours, could think of little else but the\nCruelties I had committed, and was much troubled. Thus he, whose tender\nMercies are over all his Works, hath placed a Principle in the human\nMind, which incites to exercise Goodness towards every living Creature;\nand this being singly attended to, People become tender hearted and\nsympathising; but being frequently and totally rejected, the Mind\nbecomes shut up in a contrary Disposition.\n\nAbout the twelfth Year of my Age, my Father being abroad, my Mother\nreproved me for some Misconduct, to which I made an undutiful Reply;\nand, the next first Day, as I was with my Father returning from Meeting,\nhe told me he understood I had behaved amiss to my Mother, and advised\nme to be more careful in future. I knew myself blameable, and in Shame\nand Confusion remained silent. Being thus awakened to a Sense of my\nWickedness, I felt Remorse in my Mind, and, getting home, I retired and\nprayed to the Lord to forgive me; and do not remember that I ever, after\nthat, spoke unhandsomely to either of my Parents, however foolish in\nsome other Things.\n\nHaving attained the Age of sixteen Years, I began to love wanton\nCompany; and though I was preserved from prophane Language, or\nscandalous Conduct, still I perceived a Plant in me which produced much\nwild Grapes; yet my merciful Father forsook me not utterly, but, at\nTimes, through his Grace, I was brought seriously to consider my Ways;\nand the Sight of my Backslidings affected me with Sorrow; but, for want\nof rightly attending to the Reproofs of Instruction, Vanity was added to\nVanity, and Repentance to Repentance: Upon the whole, my Mind was more\nand more alienated from the Truth, and I hastened toward Destruction.\nWhile I meditate on the Gulph towards which I travelled, and reflect on\nmy youthful Disobedience, for these Things I weep, mine Eyes run down\nwith Water.\n\nAdvancing in Age, the Number of my Acquaintances increased, and thereby\nmy Way grew more difficult; though I had found Comfort in reading the\nholy Scriptures, and thinking on heavenly Things, I was now estranged\ntherefrom: I knew I was going from the Flock of Christ, and had no\nResolution to return; hence serious Reflections were uneasy to me, and\nyouthful Vanities and Diversions my greatest Pleasure. Running in this\nRoad I found many like myself; and we associated in that which is the\nreverse of true Friendship.\n\nBut in this swift Race it pleased God to visit me with Sickness, so that\nI doubted of recovering; and then did Darkness, Horror, and Amazement,\nwith full Force, seize me, even when my Pain and Distress of Body was\nvery great. I thought it would have been better for me never to have had\na Being, than to see the Day which I now saw. I was filled with\nConfusion; and in great Affliction, both of Mind and Body, I lay and\nbewailed myself. I had not Confidence to lift up my Cries to God, whom I\nhad thus offended; but, in a deep Sense of my great Folly, I was humbled\nbefore him; and, at length, that Word which is as a Fire and a Hammer,\nbroke and dissolved my rebellious Heart, and then my Cries were put up\nin Contrition; and in the multitude of his Mercies I found inward\nRelief, and felt a close Engagement, that, if he was pleased to restore\nmy Health, I might walk humbly before him.\n\nAfter my Recovery, this Exercise remained with me a considerable Time;\nbut, by Degrees, giving Way to youthful Vanities, they gained Strength,\nand, getting with wanton young People, I lost Ground. The Lord had been\nvery gracious, and spoke Peace to me in the Time of my Distress; and I\nnow most ungratefully turned again to Folly; on which Account, at Times,\nI felt sharp Reproof. I was not so hardy as to commit Things scandalous;\nbut to exceed in Vanity, and promote Mirth, was my chief Study. Still I\nretained a Love for pious People, and their Company brought an Awe upon\nme. My dear Parents, several Times, admonished me in the Fear of the\nLord, and their Admonition entered into my Heart, and had a good Effect\nfor a Season; but, not getting deep enough to pray rightly, the Tempter,\nwhen he came, found Entrance. I remember once, having spent a Part of\nthe Day in Wantonness, as I went to Bed at Night, there lay in a Window,\nnear my Bed, a Bible, which I opened, and first cast my Eye on this\nText, \"We lie down in our Shame, and our Confusion covers us:\" This I\nknew to be my Case; and, meeting with so unexpected a Reproof, I was\nsomewhat affected with it, and went to Bed under Remorse of Conscience;\nwhich I soon cast off again.\n\nThus Time passed on: My Heart was replenished with Mirth and Wantonness,\nand pleasing Scenes of Vanity were presented to my Imagination, till I\nattained the Age of eighteen Years; near which Time I felt the Judgments\nof God, in my Soul, like a consuming Fire; and, looking over my past\nLife, the Prospect was moving.--I was often sad, and longed to be\ndelivered from those Vanities; then again, my Heart was strongly\ninclined to them, and there was in me a sore Conflict: At Times I turned\nto Folly, and then again, Sorrow and Confusion took hold of me. In a\nwhile, I resolved totally to leave off some of my Vanities; but there\nwas a secret Reserve, in my Heart, of the more refined Part of them, and\nI was not low enough to find true Peace. Thus, for some Months, I had\ngreat Troubles; there remaining in me an unsubjected Will, which\nrendered my Labours fruitless, till at length, through the merciful\nContinuance of heavenly Visitations, I was made to bow down in Spirit\nbefore the Lord. I remember one Evening I had spent some Time in reading\na pious Author; and walking out alone, I humbly prayed to the Lord for\nhis Help, that I might be delivered from all those Vanities which so\nensnared me. Thus, being brought low, he helped me; and, as I learned to\nbear the Cross, I felt Refreshment to come from his Presence; but, not\nkeeping in that Strength which gave Victory, I lost Ground again; the\nSense of which greatly affected me; and I sought Desarts and lonely\nPlaces, and there, with Tears, did confess my Sins to God, and humbly\ncraved Help of him. And I may say with Reverence, he was near to me in\nmy Troubles, and in those Times of Humiliation opened my Ear to\nDiscipline. I was now led to look seriously at the Means by which I was\ndrawn from the pure Truth, and learned this, that, if I would live in\nthe Life which the faithful Servants of God lived in, I must not go\ninto Company as heretofore in my own Will; but all the Cravings of Sense\nmust be governed by a divine Principle. In Times of Sorrow and Abasement\nthese Instructions were sealed upon me, and I felt the Power of Christ\nprevail over selfish Desires, so that I was preserved in a good degree\nof Steadiness; and, being young, and believing at that Time that a\nsingle Life was best for me, I was strengthened to keep from such\nCompany as had often been a Snare to me.\n\nI kept steadily to Meetings; spent First-day Afternoons chiefly in\nreading the Scriptures and other good Books; and was early convinced in\nMind, that true Religion consisted in an inward Life, wherein the Heart\ndoth love and reverence God the Creator, and learns to exercise true\nJustice and Goodness, not only toward all Men, but also toward the brute\nCreatures.--That as the Mind was moved, by an inward Principle, to love\nGod as an invisible incomprehensible Being, by the same Principle it was\nmoved to love him in all his Manifestations in the visible World.--That,\nas by his Breath the Flame of Life was kindled in all animal sensible\nCreatures, to say we love God, and, at the same Time exercise Cruelty\ntoward the least Creature, is a Contradiction in itself.\n\nI found no Narrowness respecting Sects and Opinions; but believed, that\nsincere upright-hearted People, in every Society, who truly love God,\nwere accepted of him.\n\nAs I lived under the Cross, and simply followed the Openings of Truth,\nmy Mind, from Day to Day, was more enlightened; my former Acquaintance\nwere left to judge of me as they would, for I found it safest for me to\nlive in private, and keep these Things sealed up in my own Breast. While\nI silently ponder on that Change wrought in me, I find no Language equal\nto it, nor any Means to convey to another a clear Idea of it. I looked\non the Works of God in this visible Creation, and an Awfulness covered\nme; my Heart was tender and often contrite, and universal Love to my\nFellow-creatures increased in me: This will be understood by such as\nhave trodden the same Path. Some Glances of real Beauty may be seen in\ntheir Faces, who dwell in true Meekness. There is a Harmony in the\nSound of that Voice to which divine Love gives Utterance, and some\nAppearance of right Order in their Temper and Conduct, whose Passions\nare regulated; yet all these do not fully shew forth that inward Life to\nsuch as have not felt it: But this white Stone and new Name is known\nrightly to such only as have it.\n\nThough I had been thus strengthened to bear the Cross, I still found\nmyself in great Danger, having many Weaknesses attending me, and strong\nTemptations to wrestle with; in the feeling whereof I frequently\nwithdrew into private Places, and often with Tears besought the Lord to\nhelp me, whose gracious Ear was open to my Cry.\n\nAll this Time I lived with my Parents, and wrought on the Plantation;\nand, having had Schooling pretty well for a Planter, I used to improve\nit in Winter Evenings, and other leisure Times; and, being now in the\ntwenty-first Year of my Age, a Man, in much Business at shop-keeping and\nbaking, asked me, if I would hire with him to tend Shop and keep Books.\nI acquainted my Father with the Proposal; and, after some Deliberation,\nit was agreed for me to go.\n\nAt Home I had lived retired; and now, having a Prospect of being much in\nthe Way of Company, I felt frequent and fervent Cries in my Heart to\nGod, the Father of Mercies, that he would preserve me from all\nCorruption; that in this more publick Employment, I might serve him, my\ngracious Redeemer, in that Humility and Self-denial, with which I had\nbeen, in a small Degree, exercised in a more private Life. The Man, who\nemployed me, furnished a Shop in _Mount-Holly_, about five Miles from my\nFather's House, and six from his own; and there I lived alone, and\ntended his Shop. Shortly after my Settlement here I was visited by\nseveral young People, my former Acquaintance, who knew not but Vanities\nwould be as agreeable to me now as ever; and, at these Times, I cried to\nthe Lord in secret, for Wisdom and Strength; for I felt myself\nencompassed with Difficulties, and had fresh Occasion to bewail the\nFollies of Time past, in contracting a Familiarity with libertine\nPeople; and, as I had now left my Father's House outwardly, I found my\nheavenly Father to be merciful to me beyond what I can express.\n\nBy Day I was much amongst People, and had many Trials to go through;\nbut, in the Evenings, I was mostly alone, and may with Thankfulness\nacknowledge, that, in those Times, the Spirit of Supplication was often\npoured upon me; under which I was frequently exercised, and felt my\nStrength renewed.\n\nIn a few Months after I came here, my Master bought several _Scotchmen_,\nServants, from on-board a Vessel, and brought them to _Mount-Holly_ to\nsell; one of which was taken sick, and died.\n\nIn the latter Part of his Sickness, he, being delirious, used to curse\nand swear most sorrowfully; and, the next Night after his Burial, I was\nleft to sleep alone in the same Chamber where he died; I perceived in me\na Timorousness; I knew, however, I had not injured the Man, but assisted\nin taking Care of him according to my Capacity; and was not free to ask\nany one, on that Occasion, to sleep with me: Nature was feeble; but\nevery Trial was a fresh Incitement to give myself up wholly to the\nService of God, for I found no Helper like him in Times of Trouble.\n\nAfter a While, my former Acquaintance gave over expecting me as one of\ntheir Company; and I began to be known to some whose Conversation was\nhelpful to me: And now, as I had experienced the Love of God, through\nJesus Christ, to redeem me from many Pollutions, and to be a Succour to\nme through a Sea of Conflicts, with which no Person was fully\nacquainted; and as my Heart was often enlarged in this heavenly\nPrinciple, I felt a tender Compassion for the Youth, who remained\nentangled in Snares, like those which had entangled me from one Time to\nanother: This Love and Tenderness increased; and my Mind was more\nstrongly engaged for the Good of my Fellow-creatures. I went to Meetings\nin an awful Frame of Mind, and endeavoured to be inwardly acquainted\nwith the Language of the true Shepherd; and, one Day, being under a\nstrong Exercise of Spirit, I stood up, and said some Words in a Meeting;\nbut, not keeping close to the divine Opening, I said more than was\nrequired of me; and being soon sensible of my Error, I was afflicted in\nMind some Weeks, without any Light or Comfort, even to that Degree that\nI could not take Satisfaction in any Thing: I remembered God, and was\ntroubled, and, in the Depth of my Distress, he had Pity upon me, and\nsent the Comforter: I then felt Forgiveness for my Offence, and my Mind\nbecame calm and quiet, being truly thankful to my gracious Redeemer for\nhis Mercies; and, after this, feeling the Spring of divine Love opened,\nand a Concern to speak, I said a few Words in a Meeting, in which I\nfound Peace; this, I believe, was about six Weeks from the first Time:\nAnd, as I was thus humbled and disciplined under the Cross, my\nUnderstanding became more strengthened to distinguish the pure Spirit\nwhich inwardly moves upon the Heart, and taught me to wait in Silence\nsometimes many Weeks together, until I felt that rise which prepares the\nCreature.\n\nFrom an inward purifying, and stedfast abiding under it, springs a\nlively operative Desire for the Good of others: All the Faithful are not\ncalled to the public Ministry; but whoever are, are called to minister\nof that which they have tasted and handled spiritually. The outward\nModes of Worship are various; but, wherever any are true Ministers of\nJesus Christ, it is from the Operation of his Spirit upon their Hearts,\nfirst purifying them, and thus giving them a just Sense of the\nConditions of others.\n\nThis Truth was clearly fixed in my Mind; and I was taught to watch the\npure Opening, and to take Heed, lest, while I was standing to speak, my\nown Will should get uppermost, and cause me to utter Words from worldly\nWisdom, and depart from the Channel of the true Gospel-Ministry.\n\nIn the Management of my outward Affairs, I may say, with Thankfulness, I\nfound Truth to be my Support; and I was respected in my Master's Family,\nwho came to live in _Mount-Holly_ within two Years after my going\nthere.\n\nAbout the twenty-third Year of my Age, I had many fresh and heavenly\nOpenings, in respect to the Care and Providence of the Almighty over his\nCreatures in general, and over Man as the most noble amongst those which\nare visible. And being clearly convinced in my Judgment, that to place\nmy whole Trust in God was best for me, I felt renewed Engagements, that\nin all Things I might act on an inward Principle of Virtue, and pursue\nworldly Business no farther, than as Truth opened my Way therein.\n\nAbout the Time called _Christmas_, I observed many People from the\nCountry, and Dwellers in Town, who, resorting to Public-Houses, spent\ntheir Time in drinking and vain Sports, tending to corrupt one another;\non which Account I was much troubled. At one House, in particular, there\nwas much Disorder; and I believed it was a Duty incumbent on me to go\nand speak to the Master of that House. I considered I was young, and\nthat several elderly Friends in town had Opportunity to see these\nThings; but though I would gladly have been excused, yet I could not\nfeel my Mind clear.\n\nThe Exercise was heavy; and as I was reading what the Almighty said to\n_Ezekiel_, respecting his Duty as a Watchman, the Matter was set home\nmore clearly; and then, with Prayers and Tears, I besought the Lord for\nhis Assistance, who, in Loving-kindness, gave me a resigned Heart: Then,\nat a suitable Opportunity, I went to the Public-house, and, seeing the\nMan amongst much Company, I went to him, and told him, I wanted to speak\nwith him; so we went aside, and there, in the Fear of the Almighty, I\nexpressed to him what rested on my Mind; which he took kindly, and\nafterward shewed more Regard to me than before. In a few Years\nafterwards he died, middle-aged; and I often thought that, had I\nneglected my Duty in that Case, it would have given me great Trouble;\nand I was humbly thankful to my gracious Father, who had supported me\nherein.\n\nMy Employer having a Negro Woman, sold her, and desired me to write a\nBill of Sale, the Man being waiting who bought her: The Thing was\nsudden; and, though the Thoughts of writing an Instrument of Slavery\nfor one of my Fellow-creatures felt uneasy, yet I remembered I was hired\nby the Year, that it was my Master who directed me to do it, and that it\nwas an elderly Man, a Member of our Society, who bought her; so, through\nWeakness, I gave way, and wrote; but, at the executing it, I was so\nafflicted in my Mind, that I said, before my Master and the Friend, that\nI believed Slave-keeping to be a Practice inconsistent with the\n_Christian_ Religion: This in some Degree abated my Uneasiness; yet, as\noften as I reflected seriously upon it, I thought I should have been\nclearer, if I had desired to have been excused from it, as a Thing\nagainst my Conscience; for such it was. And, some Time after this, a\nyoung Man, of our Society, spoke to me to write a Conveyance of a Slave\nto him, he having lately taken a Negro into his House: I told him I was\nnot easy to write it; for, though many of our Meeting and in other\nPlaces kept Slaves, I still believed the Practice was not right, and\ndesired to be excused from the writing. I spoke to him in Good-will; and\nhe told me that keeping Slaves was not altogether agreeable to his Mind;\nbut that the Slave being a Gift to his Wife, he had accepted of her.\n\n\nCHAPTER II\n\n    _His first Journey, on a religious Visit, into_ East-Jersey, _in\n    Company with_ ABRAHAM FARRINGTON--_His Thoughts on merchandizing,\n    and his learning a Trade_--_His second Journey, with_ ISAAC ANDREWS,\n    _into_ Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, _and_ North Carolina--_His\n    third Journey, with_ PETER ANDREWS, _through Part of_ West _and_\n    East-Jersey--_Some Account of his Sister_ ELIZABETH, _and her\n    Death_--_His fourth Journey, with_ PETER ANDREWS, _through_ New-York\n    _and_ Long-Island, _to_ New-England--_And his fifth Journey, with_\n    JOHN SYKES, _to the eastern Shore of_ Maryland, _and the lower\n    Counties on_ Delaware\n\nMy esteemed Friend, _Abraham Farrington_, being about to make a Visit to\nFriends on the eastern Side of this Province, and having no Companion,\nhe proposed to me to go with him; and, after a Conference with some\nelderly Friends, I agreed to go: We set out the fifth Day of the ninth\nMonth, in the Year 1743; had an Evening-meeting at a Tavern in\n_Brunswick_, a Town in which none of our Society dwelt; the Room was\nfull, and the People quiet. Thence to _Amboy_, and had an\nEvening-meeting in the Court-house; to which many People came, amongst\nwhom were several Members of the Assembly, they being in Town on public\nAffairs of the Province: In both these Meetings my ancient Companion was\nenlarged to preach, in the Love of the Gospel. Thence we went to\n_Woodbridge_, _Raway_, and _Plainfield_; and had six or seven Meetings\nin Places where Meetings of Friends are not usually held, being made up\nchiefly of _Presbyterians_; and my beloved Companion was frequently\nstrengthened to publish the Word of Life amongst them: As for me, I was\noften silent; and, when I spake, it was with much Care, that I might\nspeak only what Truth opened: And I learned some profitable Lessons.--We\nwere out about two Weeks.\n\nNear this Time, being on some outward Business in which several\nFamilies were concerned, and which was attended with Difficulties, some\nThings relating thereto not being clearly stated, nor rightly understood\nby all, there arose some Heat in the Minds of the Parties, and one\nvaluable Friend got off his Watch; I had a great Regard for him, and\nfelt a strong Inclination, after Matters were settled, to speak to him\nconcerning his Conduct in that case: But I being a Youth, and he far\nadvanced in Age and Experience, my Way appeared difficult; but, after\nsome Days Deliberation, and inward seeking to the Lord for Assistance, I\nwas made subject; so that I expressed what lay upon me in a Way which\nbecame my Youth and his Years: And, though it was a hard Task to me, it\nwas well taken, and, I believe, useful to us both.\n\nHaving now been several Years with my Employer, and he doing less at\nMerchandize than heretofore, I was thoughtful of some other Way of\nBusiness; perceiving Merchandize to be attended with much Cumber, in the\nWay of trading in these Parts.\n\nMy mind, through the Power of Truth, was in a good degree weaned from\nthe Desire of outward Greatness, and I was learning to be content with\nreal Conveniences, that were not costly; so that a Way of Life, free\nfrom much Entanglement, appeared best for me, though the Income might be\nsmall. I had several Offers of Business that appeared profitable, but\ndid not see my Way clear to accept of them; as believing the Business\nproposed would be attended with more outward Care than was required of\nme to engage in.\n\nI saw that a humble Man, with the blessing of the Lord, might live on a\nlittle; and that where the Heart was set on Greatness, Success in\nBusiness did not satisfy the craving; but that commonly, with an\nIncrease of Wealth, the Desire of Wealth increased. There was a Care on\nmy Mind so to pass my Time, that nothing might hinder me from the most\nsteady Attention to the Voice of the true Shepherd.\n\nMy Employer, though now a Retailer of Goods, was by Trade a Taylor, and\nkept a Servant-man at that Business; and I began to think about\nlearning the Trade, expecting that, if I should settle, I might, by this\nTrade and a little retailing of Goods, get a Living in a plain Way,\nwithout the Load of great Business: I mentioned it to my Employer, and\nwe soon agreed on Terms; and then, when I had Leisure from the Affairs\nof Merchandize, I worked with his Man. I believed the Hand of Providence\npointed out this Business for me; and was taught to be content with it,\nthough I felt, at Times, a Disposition that would have sought for\nsomething greater: But, through the Revelation of Jesus Christ, I had\nseen the Happiness of Humility, and there was an earnest Desire in me to\nenter deep into it; and, at Times, this Desire arose to a Degree of\nfervent Supplication, wherein my Soul was so environed with heavenly\nLight and Consolation, that Things were made easy to me which had been\notherwise.\n\nAfter some Time, my Employer's Wife died; she was a virtuous Woman, and\ngenerally beloved of her Neighbours; and, soon after this, he left\nshop-keeping, and we parted. I then wrought at my Trade, as a Taylor;\ncarefully attended Meetings for Worship and Discipline; and found an\nEnlargement of Gospel-love in my Mind, and therein a Concern to visit\nFriends in some of the Back-settlements of _Pennsylvania_ and\n_Virginia_; and, being thoughtful about a Companion, I expressed it to\nmy beloved Friend, ISAAC ANDREWS, who then told me that he had Drawings\nto the same Places; also to go through _Maryland_, _Virginia_, and\n_Carolina_. After considerable Time past, and several Conferences with\nhim, I felt easy to accompany him throughout, if Way opened for it. I\nopened the Case in our Monthly-meeting; and, Friends expressing their\nUnity therewith, we obtained Certificates to travel as Companions; his\nfrom _Haddonfield_, and mine from _Burlington_.\n\nWe left our Province on the twelfth Day of the third Month, in the Year\n1746, and had several Meetings in the upper Part of _Chester_ County,\nand near _Lancaster_; in some of which, the Love of Christ prevailed,\nuniting us together in his Service. Then we crossed the River\n_Susquehannah_, and had several Meetings in a new Settlement, called the\n_Red-Lands_; the oldest of which, as I was informed, did not exceed ten\nYears. It is the poorer Sort of People that commonly begin to improve\nremote Desarts: With a small Stock they have Houses to build, Lands to\nclear and fence, Corn to raise, Clothes to provide, and Children to\neducate; that Friends, who visit such, may well sympathise with them in\ntheir Hardships in the Wilderness; and though the best Entertainment\nsuch can give may seem coarse to some who are used to Cities, or old\nsettled Places, it becomes the Disciples of Christ to be content with\nit. Our Hearts were sometimes enlarged in the Love of our heavenly\nFather amongst these People; and the sweet Influence of his Spirit\nsupported us through some Difficulties: To him be the Praise!\n\nWe passed on to _Monoquacy_, _Fairfax_, _Hopewell_, and _Shanando_, and\nhad Meetings; some of which were comfortable and edifying. From\n_Shanando_ we set off in the Afternoon for the old Settlements of\nFriends in _Virginia_; and, the first Night, we, with our Pilot, lodged\nin the Woods, our Horses feeding near us; but he being poorly provided\nwith a Horse, and we young and having good Horses, were free the next\nDay to part with him; and did so. In two Days after, we reached to our\nFriend _John Cheagle's_, in _Virginia_; so we took the Meetings in our\nWay through _Virginia_; were, in some Degree, baptized into a feeling\nSense of the Conditions of the People; and our Exercise in general was\nmore painful in these old Settlements, than it had been amongst the back\nInhabitants: But, through the Goodness of our heavenly Father, the Well\nof living Waters was, at Times, opened to our Encouragement and the\nRefreshment of the sincere-hearted. We went on to _Perquimons_, in\n_North-Carolina_, had several Meetings, which were large, and found some\nOpenness in those Parts, and a hopeful Appearance amongst the young\nPeople. So we turned again to _Virginia_, and attended most of the\nMeetings which we had not been at before, labouring amongst Friends in\nthe Love of Jesus Christ, as Ability was given; and thence went to the\nMountains, up _James-River_, to a new Settlement, and had several\nMeetings amongst the People, some of whom had lately joined in\nMembership with our Society.\n\nIn our journeying to and fro, we found some honest-hearted Friends, who\nappeared to be concerned for the Cause of Truth among a backsliding\nPeople.\n\nFrom _Virginia_, we crossed over the River _Patowmac_, at Hoe's Ferry,\nand made a general Visit to the Meetings of Friends on the Western Shore\nof _Maryland_; and were at their Quarterly-meeting. We had some hard\nLabour amongst them, endeavouring to discharge our Duty honestly as Way\nopened, in the Love of Truth: And thence taking sundry Meetings in our\nWay, we passed homeward; where, through the Favour of divine Providence\nwe reached the sixteenth Day of the sixth Month, in the Year 1746; and I\nmay say that, through the Assistance of the Holy Spirit, my Companion\nand I travelled in Harmony, and parted in the Nearness of true brotherly\nLove.\n\nTwo Things were remarkable to me in this Journey; first, in Regard to my\nEntertainment, when I ate, drank, and lodged at free-cost, with People\nwho lived in Ease on the hard Labour of their Slaves, I felt uneasy;\nand, as my Mind was inward to the Lord, I found, from Place to Place,\nthis Uneasiness return upon me, at Times, through the whole Visit. Where\nthe Masters bore a good Share of the Burthen, and lived frugally, so\nthat their Servants were well provided for, and their Labour moderate, I\nfelt more easy; but where they lived in a costly Way, and laid heavy\nBurthens on their Slaves, my Exercise was often great, and I frequently\nhad Conversation with them, in private, concerning it. Secondly; this\nTrade of importing Slaves from their native Country being much\nencouraged amongst them, and the white People and their Children so\ngenerally living without much Labour, was frequently the Subject of my\nserious Thoughts: And I saw in these southern Provinces so many Vices\nand Corruptions, increased by this Trade and this Way of Life, that it\nappeared to me as a Gloom over the Land; and though now many willingly\nrun into it, yet, in future, the Consequence will be grievous to\nPosterity: I express it as it hath appeared to me, not at once nor\ntwice, but as a Matter fixed on my Mind.\n\nSoon after my Return Home, I felt an increasing Concern for Friends on\nour Sea-coast; and, on the eighth Day of the eighth Month, in the Year\n1746, with the Unity of Friends, and in Company with my beloved Friend\nand Neighbour, PETER ANDREWS, Brother to my Companion before-mentioned,\nwe set forward, and visited Meetings generally about _Salem_, _Cape\nMay_, _Great_ and _Little Egg-Harbour_; and had Meetings at _Barnagat_,\n_Mannahocking_, and _Mane-Squan_, and so to the Yearly-meeting at\n_Shrewsbury_. Through the Goodness of the Lord Way was opened, and the\nStrength of divine Love was sometimes felt in our Assemblies, to the\nComfort and Help of those who were rightly concerned before him. We were\nout twenty-two Days, and rode, by Computation, three hundred and forty\nMiles. At _Shrewsbury_ Yearly-meeting, we met with our dear Friends\nMICHAEL LIGHTFOOT and ABRAHAM FARRINGTON, who had good Service there.\n\nThe Winter following my eldest Sister, ELIZABETH WOOLMAN, jun. died of\nthe Small-pox, aged thirty-one Years. She was, from her Youth, of a\nthoughtful Disposition; and very compassionate to her Acquaintance in\ntheir Sickness or Distress, being ready to help as far as she could. She\nwas dutiful to her Parents; one Instance whereof follows:--It happened\nthat she, and two of her Sisters, being then near the Estate of young\nWomen, had an Inclination, one First-day after Meeting, to go on a Visit\nto some other young Women at some Distance off; whose Company, I\nbelieve, would have done them no Good. They expressed their Desire to\nour Parents; who were dissatisfied with the Proposal, and stopped them.\nThe same Day, as my Sisters and I were together, and they talking about\ntheir Disappointment, _Elizabeth_ expressed her Contentment under it;\nsignifying, she believed it might be for their Good.\n\nA few Years after she attained to mature-Age, through the gracious\nVisitations of God's Love, she was strengthened to live a self-denying\nexemplary Life, giving herself much to Reading and Meditation.\n\nThe following Letter may shew, in some Degree, her Disposition.\n\n     HADDONFIELD, _1st Day, 11th Month_, 1743.\n\n     Beloved Brother, JOHN WOOLMAN,--In that Love which desires the\n     Welfare of all Men, I write unto thee: I received thine, dated\n     second Day of the tenth Month last, with which I was comforted. My\n     Spirit is bowed with Thankfulness that I should be remembered, who\n     am unworthy; but the Lord is full of Mercy, and his Goodness is\n     extended to the meanest of his Creation; therefore, in his infinite\n     Love, he hath pitied, and spared, and shewed Mercy, that I have not\n     been cut off nor quite lost; but, at Times, I am refreshed and\n     comforted as with the Glimpse of his Presence, which is more to the\n     immortal Part, than all which this World can afford: So, with\n     Desires for thy Preservation with my own, I remain\n\n     Thy affectionate Sister,\n     ELIZ. WOOLMAN, jun.\n\nIn the fore Part of her Illness she was in great Sadness and Dejection\nof Mind, of which she told one of her intimate Friends, and said, When I\nwas a young Girl I was wanton and airy, but I thought I had thoroughly\nrepented of it; and added, I have of late had great Satisfaction in\nMeetings. Though she was thus disconsolate, still she retained a Hope,\nwhich was as an Anchor to her: And sometime after, the same Friend came\nagain to see her, to whom she mentioned her former Expressions, and\nsaid, It is otherwise now, for the Lord hath rewarded me seven fold; and\nI am unable to express the Greatness of his Love manifested to me. Her\nDisorder appearing dangerous, and our Mother being sorrowful, she took\nNotice of it, and said, Dear Mother, weep not for me; I go to my God:\nAnd, many Times, with an audible Voice, uttered Praise to her Redeemer.\n\nA Friend, coming some Miles to see her the Morning before she died,\nasked her, how she did? She answered, I have had a hard Night, but shall\nnot have another such, for I shall die, and it will be well with my\nSoul; and accordingly died the next Evening.\n\nThe following Ejaculations were found amongst her Writings; written, I\nbelieve, at four Times:\n\nI. Oh! that my Head were as Waters, and mine Eyes as a Fountain of\nTears, that I might weep Day and Night, until acquainted with my God.\n\nII. O Lord, that I may enjoy thy Presence! or else my Time is lost, and\nmy Life a Snare to my Soul.\n\nIII. O Lord, that I may receive Bread from thy Table, and that thy Grace\nmay abound in me!\n\nIV. O Lord, that I may be acquainted with thy Presence, that I may be\nseasoned with thy Salt, that thy Grace may abound in me!\n\nOf late I found Drawings in my Mind to visit Friends in _New-England_,\nand, having an Opportunity of joining in Company with my beloved Friend,\nPETER ANDREWS, we, having obtained Certificates from our\nMonthly-meeting, set forward on the sixteenth Day of the third Month, in\nthe Year 1747, and reached the Yearly-meeting at _Long-Island_; at which\nwere our Friends SAMUEL NOTTINGHAM, from _England_, JOHN GRIFFITH, JANE\nHOSKINS, and ELIZBETH HUDSON, from _Pennsylvania_, and JACOB ANDREWS,\nfrom _Chesterfield_. Several of whom were favoured in their publick\nExercise; and, through the Goodness of the Lord, we had some edifying\nMeetings. After this, my Companion and I visited Friends on\n_Long-Island_; and, through the Mercies of God we were helped in the\nWork.\n\nBesides going to the settled Meetings of Friends, we were at a general\nMeeting at _Setawket_, chiefly made up of other Societies; and had a\nMeeting at _Oyster-Bay_ in a Dwelling-house, at which were many People:\nAt the first of which there was not much said by way of Testimony; but\nit was I believe, a good Meeting: At the latter, through the springing\nup of living Waters, it was a Day to be thankfully remembered. Having\nvisited the Island, we went over to the Main, taking Meetings in our\nWay, to _Oblong_, _Nine Partners_, and _New-Milford_.--In these back\nSettlements we met with several People, who, through the immediate\nWorkings of the Spirit of Christ in their Minds, were drawn from the\nVanities of the World, to an inward Acquaintance with him: They were\neducated in the Way of the _Presbyterians_. A considerable Number of the\nYouth, Members of that Society, used to spend their Time often together\nin merriment; but some of the principal young Men of that Company being\nvisited by the powerful Workings of the Spirit of Christ, and thereby\nled humbly to take up his Cross, could no longer join in those Vanities;\nand, as these stood stedfast to that inward Convincement, they were made\na Blessing to some of their former Companions; so that, through the\nPower of Truth, several were brought into a close Exercise concerning\nthe eternal Well-being of their Souls. These young People continued for\na Time to frequent their publick Worship; and, besides that, had\nMeetings of their own; which Meetings were a while allowed by their\nPreacher, who, sometimes, met with them: But, in Time, their Judgment,\nin Matters of Religion, disagreeing with some of the Articles of the\n_Presbyterians_, their Meetings were disapproved by that Society; and\nsuch of them as stood firm to their Duty, as it was inwardly manifested,\nhad many Difficulties to go through. And their Meetings were in a while\ndropped; some of them returning to the _Presbyterians_; and others of\nthem, after a Time, joined our religious Society. I had Conversation\nwith some of the latter, to my Help and Edification; and believe several\nof them are acquainted with the Nature of that Worship, which is\nperformed in Spirit and in Truth.\n\nFrom hence, accompanied by AMOS POWEL, a Friend from _Long-Island_, we\nrode through _Connecticut_, chiefly inhabited by _Presbyterians_, who\nwere generally civil to us; and, after three Days riding, we came\namongst Friends in the Colony of _Rhode-Island_. We visited Friends in\nand about _Newport_, and _Dartmouth_, and generally in those Parts; and\nthen to _Boston_; and proceeded eastward as far as _Dover_; and then\nreturned to _Newport_; and, not far from thence, we met our Friend,\nTHOMAS GAWTHROP, from _England_, who was then on a Visit to these\nProvinces. From _Newport_ we sailed to _Nantucket_; were there near a\nWeek; and from thence came over to _Dartmouth_: And having finished our\nVisit in these Parts, we crossed the _Sound_ from _New-London_ to\n_Long-Island_; and, taking some Meetings on the Island, proceeded\nhomeward; where we reached the thirteenth Day of the seventh Month, in\nthe Year 1747, having rode about fifteen hundred Miles, and sailed about\none hundred and fifty.\n\nIn this Journey, I may say, in general, we were sometimes in much\nWeakness, and laboured under Discouragements; and at other Times,\nthrough the renewed Manifestations of divine Love, we had seasons of\nRefreshment, wherein the Power of Truth prevailed.\n\nWe were taught, by renewed Experience, to labour for an inward\nStillness; at no Time to seek for Words, but to live in the Spirit of\nTruth, and utter that to the People which Truth opened in us. My beloved\nCompanion and I belonged to one Meeting, came forth in the Ministry near\nthe same Time, and were inwardly united in the Work; he was about\nthirteen Years older than I, bore the heaviest Burthen, and was an\nInstrument of the greatest Use.\n\nFinding a Concern to visit Friends in the lower Counties on _Delaware_,\nand on the eastern Shore of _Maryland_, and having an Opportunity to\njoin with my well-beloved ancient Friend, JOHN SYKES, we obtained\nCertificates, and set off the seventh Day of the eighth Month, in the\nYear 1748; were at the Meetings of Friends in the lower Counties,\nattended the Yearly-meeting at _Little-Creek_, and made a Visit to the\nchief of the Meetings on the eastern Shore; and so Home by Way of\n_Nottingham_: Were abroad about six Weeks, and rode, by Computation,\nabout five hundred and fifty Miles.\n\nOur Exercise, at Times, was heavy; but, through the Goodness of the\nLord, we were often refreshed; and I may say, by Experience, _He is a\nstrong Hold in the Day of Trouble_. Though our Society, in these Parts,\nappeared to me to be in a declining Condition; yet, I believe, the Lord\nhath a People amongst them, who labour to serve him uprightly, but have\nmany Difficulties to encounter.\n\n\nCHAPTER III\n\n    _His Marriage_--_The Death of his Father_--_His Journies into the\n    upper Part of_ New-Jersey, _and afterwards into_\n    Pennsylvania--_Considerations on keeping Slaves, and his Visits to\n    the Families of Friends at several Times and Places_--_An Epistle\n    from the General Meeting_--_His Journey to_\n    Long-Island--_Considerations on Trading, and on the Use of\n    spirituous Liquors and costly Apparel_--_And his Letter to a Friend_\n\nAbout this Time, believing it good for me to settle, and thinking\nseriously about a Companion, my Heart was turned to the Lord with\nDesires that he would give me Wisdom to proceed therein agreeable to his\nWill; and he was pleased to give me a well-inclined Damsel, SARAH ELLIS;\nto whom I was married the eighteenth Day of the eighth Month, in the\nYear 1749.\n\nIn the fall of the Year 1750 died my Father, SAMUEL WOOLMAN, with a\nFever, aged about sixty Years.\n\nIn his Life-time he manifested much Care for us his Children, that in\nour Youth we might learn to fear the Lord; often endeavouring to imprint\nin our Minds the true Principles of Virtue, and particularly to cherish\nin us a Spirit of Tenderness, not only towards poor People, but also\ntowards all Creatures of which we had the Command.\n\nAfter my Return from _Carolina_, in the Year 1746, I made some\nObservations on keeping Slaves, which some Time before his Decease I\nshewed him; and he perused the Manuscript, proposed a few Alterations,\nand appeared well satisfied that I found a Concern on that Account: And\nin his last Sickness, as I was watching with him one Night, he being so\nfar spent that there was no Expectation of his Recovery, but having the\nperfect Use of his Understanding, he asked me concerning the Manuscript,\nwhether I expected soon to proceed to take the Advice of Friends in\npublishing it? And, after some Conversation thereon, said, I have all\nalong been deeply affected with the Oppression of the poor Negroes; and\nnow, at last, my Concern for them is as great as ever.\n\nBy his Direction I had wrote his Will in a Time of Health, and that\nNight he desired me to read it to him, which I did; and he said it was\nagreeable to his Mind. He then made mention of his End, which he\nbelieved was near; and signified, that, though he was sensible of many\nImperfections in the Course of his Life, yet his Experience of the Power\nof Truth, and of the Love and Goodness of God from Time to Time, even\ntill now, was such, that he had no Doubt but that, in leaving this Life,\nhe should enter into one more happy.\n\nThe next Day his Sister _Elizabeth_ came to see him, and told him of the\nDecease of their Sister _Ann_, who died a few Days before: He then said,\nI reckon Sister _Ann_ was free to leave this World: _Elizabeth_ said,\nshe was. He then said, I also am free to leave it; and, being in great\nWeakness of Body, said, I hope I shall shortly go to Rest. He continued\nin a weighty Frame of Mind, and was sensible till near the last.\n\nOn the second Day of the ninth Month, in the Year 1751, feeling Drawings\nin my Mind to visit Friends at the _Great-Meadows_, in the upper Part of\n_West-Jersey_, with the Unity of our Monthly-meeting, I went there; and\nhad some searching laborious Exercise amongst Friends in those Parts,\nand found inward Peace therein.\n\nIn the ninth Month of the Year 1753, in Company with my well-esteemed\nFriend JOHN SYKES, and with the Unity of Friends, we travelled about two\nWeeks, visiting Friends in _Bucks-County_. We laboured in the Love of\nthe Gospel, according to the Measure received; and, through the Mercies\nof him, who is Strength to the Poor who trust in him, we found\nSatisfaction in our Visit: And, in the next Winter, Way opening to visit\nFriends Families within the Compass of our Monthly-meeting, partly by\nthe Labours of two Friends from _Pennsylvania_, I joined in some Part of\nthe Work; having had a Desire some Time that it might go forward amongst\nus.\n\nAbout this Time, a Person at some Distance lying sick, his Brother came\nto me to write his Will: I knew he had Slaves; and, asking his Brother,\nwas told he intended to leave them as Slaves to his Children. As Writing\nis a profitable Employ, and as offending sober People was disagreeable\nto my Inclination, I was straitened in my Mind; but, as I looked to the\nLord, he inclined my Heart to his Testimony: And I told the Man, that I\nbelieved the Practice of continuing Slavery to this People was not\nright; and had a Scruple in my Mind against doing Writings of that Kind;\nthat, though many in our Society kept them as Slaves, still I was not\neasy to be concerned in it; and desired to be excused from going to\nwrite the Will. I spake to him in the Fear of the Lord; and he made no\nReply to what I said, but went away: He, also, had some Concerns in the\nPractice; and I thought he was displeased with me. In this Case I had a\nfresh Confirmation, that acting contrary to present outward Interest,\nfrom a Motive of divine Love, and in Regard to Truth and Righteousness,\nopens the Way to a Treasure better than Silver, and to a Friendship\nexceeding the Friendship of Men.\n\nThe Manuscript before-mentioned having lain by me several Years, the\nPublication of it rested weightily upon me; and this Year I offered it\nto the Revisal of Friends, who, having examined and made some small\nAlterations in it, directed a Number of Copies thereof to be published,\nand dispersed amongst Friends.\n\nIn the Year 1754, I found my Mind drawn to join in a Visit to Friends\nFamilies belonging to _Chesterfield_ Monthly-meeting; and having the\nApprobation of our own, I went to their Monthly-meeting in order to\nconfer with Friends, and see if Way opened for it: I had Conference with\nsome of their Members, the Proposal having been opened before in their\nMeeting, and one Friend agreed to join with me as a Companion for a\nBeginning; but, when Meeting was ended, I felt great Distress of Mind,\nand doubted what Way to take, or whether to go Home and wait for greater\nClearness: I kept my Distress secret; and, going with a Friend to his\nHouse, my Desires were to the great Shepherd for his heavenly\nInstruction; and in the Morning I felt easy to proceed on the Visit,\nbeing very low in my Mind: And as mine Eye was turned to the Lord,\nwaiting in Families in deep Reverence before him, he was pleased\ngraciously to afford Help; so that we had many comfortable\nOpportunities, and it appeared as a fresh Visitation to some young\nPeople. I spent several Weeks this Winter in the Service, Part of which\nTime was employed near Home. And again, in the following Winter, I was\nseveral Weeks in the same Service; some Part of the Time at\n_Shrewsbury_, in Company with my beloved Friend, _John Sykes_; and have\nCause humbly to acknowledge, that, through the Goodness of the Lord, our\nHearts were, at Times, enlarged in his Love; and Strength was given to\ngo through the Trials which, in the Course of our Visit, attended us.\n\nFrom a Disagreement between the Powers of _England_ and _France_, it was\nnow a Time of Trouble on this Continent; and an Epistle to Friends went\nforth from our General Spring-meeting, which I thought good to give a\nPlace in this Journal.\n\n     An EPISTLE from our General Spring-meeting of Ministers and Elders\n     for _Pennsylvania_ and _New-Jersey_, held at _Philadelphia_, from\n     the 29th of the third Month, to the first of the fourth Month,\n     inclusive, 1755.\n\n     To Friends on the Continent of _America_.\n\n     Dear Friends,--In an humble Sense of divine Goodness, and the\n     gracious Continuation of God's Love to his People, we tenderly\n     salute you; and are at this Time therein engaged in Mind, that all\n     of us who profess the Truth, as held forth and published by our\n     worthy Predecessors in this latter Age of the World, may keep near\n     to that Life which is the Light of Men, and be strengthened to hold\n     fast the Profession of our Faith without wavering, that our Trust\n     may not be in Man but in the Lord alone, who ruleth in the Army of\n     Heaven, and in the Kingdoms of Men, before whom the Earth is _as\n     the Dust of the Balance, and her Inhabitants as Grasshoppers_. Isa.\n     xl. 22.\n\n     We (being convinced that the gracious Design of the Almighty in\n     sending his Son into the World, was to repair the Breach made by\n     Disobedience, to finish Sin and Transgression, that his Kingdom\n     might come, and his Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven) have\n     found it to be our Duty to cease from those national Contests\n     productive of Misery and Bloodshed, and submit our Cause to him,\n     the Most High, whose tender Love to his Children exceeds the most\n     warm Affections of natural Parents, and who hath promised to his\n     Seed throughout the Earth, as to one Individual, \"I will never\n     leave thee, nor forsake thee.\" _Heb._ xiii. 5. And as we, through\n     the gracious Dealings of the Lord our God, have had Experience of\n     that Work which is carried on, \"not by _earthly_ Might, nor by\n     Power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts:\" _Zech._ iv. 6.\n     By which Operation, that spiritual Kingdom is set up, which is to\n     subdue and break in pieces all Kingdoms that oppose it, and shall\n     stand for ever; in a deep Sense thereof, and of the Safety,\n     Stability, and Peace, there is in it, we are desirous that all who\n     profess the Truth, may be inwardly acquainted with it, and thereby\n     be qualified to conduct ourselves in all Parts of our Life as\n     becomes our peaceable Profession: And we trust, as there is a\n     faithful Continuance to depend wholly upon the Almighty Arm, from\n     one Generation to another, the peaceable Kingdom will gradually be\n     extended \"from Sea to Sea, and from the River to the Ends of the\n     Earth.\" _Zech._ ix. 10. to the Completion of those Prophecies\n     already begun, that \"Nation shall not lift up a Sword against\n     Nation, nor learn War any more.\" _Isa._ ii. 4. _Micah_ iv. 3.\n\n     And, dearly beloved Friends, seeing we have these Promises, and\n     believe that God is beginning to fulfil them, let us constantly\n     endeavour to have our Minds sufficiently disintangled from the\n     surfeiting Cares of this Life, and redeemed from the Love of the\n     World, that no earthly Possessions nor Enjoyments may bias our\n     Judgments, or turn us from that Resignation, and entire Trust in\n     God, to which his Blessing is most surely annexed; then may we say,\n     \"Our Redeemer is mighty, he will plead our Cause for us.\" _Jer._ 1.\n     34. And if, for the farther promoting his most gracious Purposes in\n     the Earth, he should give us to taste of that bitter Cup which his\n     faithful Ones have often partaken of; O! that we may be rightly\n     prepared to receive it.\n\n     And now, dear Friends, with Respect to the Commotions and Stirrings\n     of the Powers of the Earth at this Time near us, we are desirous\n     that none of us may be moved thereat; \"but repose ourselves in the\n     Munition of that Rock that all these Shakings shall not move, even\n     in the Knowledge and Feeling of the eternal Power of God, keeping\n     us subjectly given up to his heavenly Will, and feel it daily to\n     mortify that which remains in any of us which is of this World; for\n     the worldly Part, in any, is the changeable Part, and that is up\n     and down, full and empty, joyful and sorrowful, as Things go well\n     or ill in this World; for as the Truth is but one, and many are\n     made Partakers of its Spirit, so the World is but one, and many are\n     made Partakers of the Spirit of it; and so many as do partake of\n     it, so many will be straitened and perplexed with it: But they who\n     are single to the Truth, waiting daily to feel the Life and Virtue\n     of it in their Hearts, these shall rejoice in the midst of\n     Adversity,\" and have to experience, with the Prophet, that\n     \"Although the Fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall Fruit be in\n     the Vines; the Labour of the Olive shall fail, and the Fields shall\n     yield no Meat; the Flock shall be cut off from the Fold, and there\n     shall be no Herd in the Stalls; yet will _they_ rejoice in the\n     Lord, and joy in the God of _their_ Salvation.\" _Hab._ iii. 17, 18.\n\n     If, contrary to this, we profess the Truth, and, not living under\n     the Power and Influence of it, are producing Fruits disagreeable to\n     the Purity thereof, and trust to the Strength of Man to support\n     ourselves, therein our Confidence will be vain. For he, who removed\n     the Hedge from his Vineyard, and gave it to be trodden under Foot,\n     by reason of the wild Grapes it produced, (_Isa._ v. 5.) remains\n     unchangeable; And if, for the Chastisement of Wickedness, and the\n     farther promoting his own Glory, he doth arise, even to shake\n     terribly the Earth, who then may oppose him, and prosper!\n\n     We remain, in the Love of the Gospel, your Friends and Brethren.\n\n     Signed by fourteen Friends.\n\nScrupling to do Writings, relative to keeping Slaves, having been a\nMeans of sundry small Trials to me, in which I have so evidently felt my\nown Will set aside, I think it good to mention a few of them.--Tradesmen\nand Retailers of Goods, who depend on their Business for a Living, are\nnaturally inclined to keep the Good-will of their Customers; nor is it a\npleasant Thing for young Men to be under any Necessity to question the\nJudgment or Honesty of elderly Men, and more especially of such as have\na fair Reputation. Deep-rooted Customs, though wrong, are not easily\naltered; but it is the Duty of every one to be firm in that which they\ncertainly know is right for them. A charitable benevolent Man, well\nacquainted with a Negro, may, I believe, under some Circumstances, keep\nhim in his Family as a Servant, from no other Motives than the Negro's\nGood; but Man, as Man, knows not what shall be after him, nor hath\nAssurance that his Children will attain to that Perfection in Wisdom and\nGoodness necessary rightly to exercise such Power: It is clear to me,\nthat I ought not to be the Scribe where Wills are drawn, in which some\nChildren are made absolute Masters over others during Life.\n\nAbout this Time, an ancient Man, of good Esteem in the Neighbourhood,\ncame to my House to get his Will written; he had young Negroes; and I\nasked him privately, how he purposed to dispose of them? He told me: I\nthen said, I cannot write thy Will without breaking my own Peace; and\nrespectfully gave him my Reasons for it: He signified that he had a\nChoice that I should have written it; but as I could not, consistent\nwith my Conscience, he did not desire it: And so he got it written by\nsome other Person. And, a few Years after, there being great Alterations\nin his Family, he came again to get me to write his Will: His Negroes\nwere yet young; and his Son, to whom he intended to give them, was,\nsince he first spoke to me, from a Libertine, become a sober young Man;\nand he supposed, that I would have been free, on that Account, to write\nit. We had much friendly Talk on the Subject, and then deferred it: A\nfew Days after, he came again, and directed their Freedom; and then I\nwrote his Will.\n\nNear the Time the last-mentioned Friend first spoke to me, a Neighbour\nreceived a bad Bruise in his Body, and sent for me to bleed him; which\nbeing done, he desired me to write his Will: I took Notes; and, amongst\nother Things, he told me to which of his Children he gave his young\nNegro: I considered the Pain and Distress he was in, and knew not how it\nwould end; so I wrote his Will, save only that Part concerning his\nSlave, and carrying it to his Bed side, read it to him; and then told\nhim, in a friendly Way, that I could not write any Instruments by which\nmy Fellow-creatures were made Slaves, without bringing Trouble on my own\nMind: I let him know that I charged nothing for what I had done; and\ndesired to be excused from doing the other Part in the Way he proposed:\nWe then had a serious Conference on the Subject; at length he agreeing\nto set her free, I finished his Will.\n\nHaving found Drawings in my Mind to visit Friends on _Long-Island_,\nafter obtaining a Certificate from our Monthly-meeting, I set off on the\ntwelfth Day of the fifth Month, in the Year 1756. When I reached the\nIsland, I lodged the first Night at the House of my dear Friend, RICHARD\nHALLET; the next Day, being the first of the Week, I was at the Meeting\nin _New-town_; in which we experienced the renewed Manifestations of the\nLove of Jesus Christ, to the Comfort of the honest-hearted. I went that\nNight to _Flushing_; and the next Day, in Company with my beloved\nFriend, MATTHEW FRANKLIN, we crossed the Ferry at _White-stone_; were at\nthree Meetings on the Main, and then returned to the Island; where I\nspent the Remainder of the Week in visiting Meetings. The Lord, I\nbelieve, hath a People in those Parts, who are honestly inclined to\nserve him; but many, I fear, are too much clogged with the Things of\nthis Life, and do not come forward bearing the Cross in such\nFaithfulness as he calls for.\n\nMy Mind was deeply engaged in this Visit, both in publick and private;\nand, at several Places, observing that they had Slaves, I found myself\nunder a Necessity in a friendly Way, to labour with them on that\nSubject; expressing, as Way opened, the Inconsistency of that Practice\nwith the Purity of the _Christian_ Religion, and the ill Effects of it\nmanifested amongst us.\n\nThe Latter-end of the Week, their Yearly-meeting began; at which were\nour Friends JOHN SCARBOROUGH, JANE HOSKINS, and SUSANNA BROWN, from\n_Pennsylvania_: The publick Meetings were large, and measurably favoured\nwith divine Goodness.\n\nThe Exercise of my Mind, at this Meeting, was chiefly on Account of\nthose who were considered as the foremost Rank in the Society; and, in a\nMeeting of Ministers and Elders, Way opened, that I expressed in some\nMeasure what lay upon me; and, at a Time when Friends were met for\ntransacting the Affairs of the Church, having set a while silent, I felt\na Weight on my Mind, and stood up; and, through the gracious Regard of\nour heavenly Father, Strength was given fully to clear myself of a\nBurthen, which, for some Days, had been increasing upon me.\n\nThrough the humbling Dispensations of divine Providence, Men are\nsometimes fitted for his Service. The Messages of the Prophet Jeremiah,\nwere so disagreeable to the People, and so reverse to the Spirit they\nlived in, that he became the Object of their Reproach; and, in the\nWeakness of Nature, thought of desisting from his prophetic Office; but,\nsaith he, \"His Word was in my Heart as a burning Fire shut up in my\nBones; and I was weary with forbearing, and could not stay.\" I saw at\nthis Time, that if I was honest in declaring that which Truth opened in\nme, I could not please all Men; and laboured to be content in the Way\nof my Duty, however disagreeable to my own Inclination. After this I\nwent homeward, taking _Woodbridge_, and _Plainfield_ in my Way; in both\nwhich Meetings, the pure Influence of divine Love was manifested; in an\nhumbling Sense whereof I went Home, having been out about twenty-four\nDays, and rode about three hundred and sixteen Miles.\n\nWhile I was out on this Journey, my Heart was much affected with a Sense\nof the State of the Churches in our southern Provinces; and, believing\nthe Lord was calling me to some farther Labour amongst them, I was bowed\nin Reverence before him, with fervent Desires that I might find Strength\nto resign myself up to his heavenly Will.\n\nUntil this Year, 1756, I continued to retail Goods, besides following my\nTrade as a Taylor; about which Time, I grew uneasy on Account of my\nBusiness growing too cumbersome: I had begun with selling Trimmings for\nGarments, and from thence proceeded to sell Cloths and Linens; and, at\nlength, having got a considerable Shop of Goods, my Trade increased\nevery Year, and the Road to large Business appeared open; but I felt a\nStop in my Mind.\n\nThrough the Mercies of the Almighty, I had, in a good degree, learned to\nbe content with a plain Way of Living: I had but a small Family; and, on\nserious Consideration, I believed Truth did not require me to engage in\nmuch cumbering Affairs: It had been my general Practice to buy and sell\nThings really useful: Things that served chiefly to please the vain Mind\nin People, I was not easy to trade in; seldom did it; and, whenever I\ndid, I found it weaken me as a _Christian_.\n\nThe Increase of Business became my Burthen; for, though my natural\nInclination was toward Merchandize, yet I believed Truth required me to\nlive more free from outward Cumbers: and there was now a Strife in my\nMind between the two; and in this Exercise my Prayers were put up to the\nLord, who graciously heard me, and gave me a Heart resigned to his holy\nWill: Then I lessened my outward Business; and, as I had Opportunity,\ntold my Customers of my Intention, that they might consider what Shop to\nturn to: And, in a while, wholly laid down Merchandize, following my\nTrade, as a Taylor, myself only, having no Apprentice. I also had a\nNursery of Appletrees; in which I employed some of my Time in hoeing,\ngrafting, trimming, and inoculating. In Merchandize it is the Custom,\nwhere I lived, to sell chiefly on Credit, and poor People often get in\nDebt; and when Payment is expected, not having wherewith to pay, their\nCreditors often sue for it at Law. Having often observed Occurrences of\nthis Kind, I found it good for me to advise poor People to take such\nGoods as were most useful and not costly.\n\nIn the Time of Trading, I had an Opportunity of seeing, that the too\nliberal Use of spirituous Liquors, and the Custom of wearing too costly\nApparel, led some People into great Inconveniences; and these two Things\nappear to be often connected; for, by not attending to that Use of\nThings which is consistent with universal Righteousness, there is an\nIncrease of Labour which extends beyond what our heavenly Father intends\nfor us: And by great Labour, and often by much Sweating, there is, even\namong such as are not Drunkards, a craving of some Liquors to revive the\nSpirits; that, partly by the luxurious Drinking of some, and partly by\nthe Drinking of others (led to it through immoderate Labour), very great\nQuantities of Rum are every Year expended in our Colonies; the greater\nPart of which we should have no Need of, did we steadily attend to pure\nWisdom.\n\nWhere Men take Pleasure in feeling their Minds elevated with\nStrong-drink, and so indulge their Appetite as to disorder their\nUnderstandings, neglect their Duty as Members in a Family or Civil\nSociety, and cast off all Regard to Religion, their Case is much to be\npitied; and where such, whose Lives are for the most Part regular, and\nwhose Examples have a strong Influence on the Minds of others, adhere to\nsome Customs which powerfully draw to the Use of more Strong-liquor than\npure Wisdom allows; this also, as it hinders the spreading of the\nSpirit of Meekness, and strengthens the Hands of the more excessive\nDrinkers, is a Case to be lamented.\n\nAs every Degree of Luxury hath some Connection with Evil, those who\nprofess to be Disciples of Christ, and are looked upon as Leaders of the\nPeople, should have that Mind in them which was also in Christ, and so\nstand separate from every wrong Way, as a Means of Help to the Weaker.\nAs I have sometimes been much spent in the Heat, and taken Spirits to\nrevive me, I have found, by Experience, that in such Circumstances the\nMind is not so calm, nor so fitly disposed for divine Meditation, as\nwhen all such Extremes are avoided; and I have felt an increasing Care\nto attend to that holy Spirit which sets Bounds to our Desires, and\nleads those, who faithfully follow it, to apply all the Gifts of divine\nProvidence to the Purposes for which they were intended. Did such, as\nhave the Care of great Estates, attend with Singleness of Heart to this\nheavenly Instructor, which so opens and enlarges the Mind, that Men love\ntheir Neighbours as themselves, they would have Wisdom given them to\nmanage, without finding Occasion to employ some People in the Luxuries\nof Life, or to make it necessary for others to labour too hard; but, for\nwant of steadily regarding this Principle of divine Love, a selfish\nSpirit takes Place in the Minds of People, which is attended with\nDarkness and manifold Confusion in the World.\n\nThough trading in Things useful is an honest Employ; yet, through the\ngreat Number of Superfluities which are bought and sold, and through the\nCorruption of the Times, they, who apply to merchandize for a Living,\nhave great Need to be well experienced in that Precept which the Prophet\nJEREMIAH laid down for his Scribe: \"Seekest thou great Things for\nthyself? seek them not.\"\n\nIn the Winter, this Year, I was engaged with Friends in visiting\nFamilies; and, through the Goodness of the Lord, we had oftentimes\nExperience of his Heart-tendering Presence amongst us.\n\n\nA Copy of a Letter written to a Friend.\n\nIn this thy late Affliction I have found a deep Fellow-feeling with\nthee; and had a secret Hope throughout, that it might please the Father\nof Mercies to raise thee up, and sanctify thy Troubles to thee; that\nthou, being more fully acquainted with that Way which the World esteems\nfoolish, mayst feel the Clothing of divine Fortitude, and be\nstrengthened to resist that Spirit which leads from the Simplicity of\nthe everlasting Truth.\n\nWe may see ourselves crippled and halting, and, from a strong Bias to\nThings pleasant and easy, find an Impossibility to advance forward; but\nThings impossible with Men are possible with God; and, our Wills being\nmade subject to his, all Temptations are surmountable.\n\nThis Work of subjecting the Will is compared to the Mineral in the\nFurnace; \"He refines them as Silver is refined.--He shall sit as a\nRefiner and Purifier of Silver.\" By these Comparisons we are instructed\nin the Necessity of the Operation of the Hand of God upon us, to prepare\nour Hearts truly to adore him, and manifest that Adoration, by inwardly\nturning away from that Spirit, in all its Workings, which is not of him.\nTo forward this Work, the all-wise God is sometimes pleased, through\noutward Distress, to bring us near the Gates of Death; that, Life being\npainful and afflicting, and the Prospect of Eternity open before us, all\nearthly Bonds may be loosened, and the Mind prepared for that deep and\nsacred Instruction, which otherwise would not be received. If Parents\nlove their Children and delight in their Happiness, then he, who is\nperfect Goodness, in sending abroad mortal Contagions, doth assuredly\ndirect their Use: Are the Righteous removed by it? Their Change is\nhappy: Are the Wicked taken away in their Wickedness? The Almighty is\nclear: Do we pass through with Anguish and great Bitterness, and yet\nrecover, he intends that we should be purged from Dross, and our Ears\nopened to Discipline.\n\nAnd now that, on thy Part, after thy sore Affliction and Doubts of\nRecovery, thou art again restored, forget not him who hath helped thee;\nbut in humble Gratitude hold fast his Instructions, thereby to shun\nthose By-paths which lead from the firm Foundation. I am sensible of\nthat Variety of Company, to which one in thy Business must be exposed: I\nhave painfully felt the Force of Conversation proceeding from Men deeply\nrooted in an earthly Mind, and can sympathize with others in such\nConflicts, in that much Weakness still attends me.\n\nI find that to be a Fool as to worldly Wisdom, and commit my Cause to\nGod, not fearing to offend Men, who take Offence at the Simplicity of\nTruth, is the only Way to remain unmoved at the Sentiments of others.\n\nThe Fear of Man brings a Snare; by halting in our Duty, and giving back\nin the Time of Trial, our Hands grow weaker, our Spirits get mingled\nwith the People, our Ears grow dull as to hearing the Language of the\ntrue Shepherd; that when we look at the Way of the Righteous, it seems\nas though it was not for us to follow them.\n\nThere is a Love clothes my Mind, while I write, which is superior to all\nExpressions; and I find my Heart open to encourage a holy Emulation, to\nadvance forward in _Christian_ Firmness. Deep Humility is a strong\nBulwark; and, as we enter into it, we find Safety: The Foolishness of\nGod is wiser than Man, and the Weakness of God is stronger than Man.\nBeing unclothed of our own Wisdom, and knowing the Abasement of the\nCreature, therein we find that Power to arise, which gives Health and\nVigour to us.\n\n\nCHAPTER IV\n\n    _His Journey to_ Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, _and_\n    North-Carolina: _Considerations on the State of Friends there; and\n    the Exercise he was under in travelling among those so generally\n    concerned in keeping Slaves: With some Observations in Conversation,\n    at several Times, on this Subject_--_His Epistle to Friends at_\n    New-Garden _and_ Cane-Creek--_His Thoughts on the Neglect of a\n    religious Care in the Education of the Negroes_\n\nFeeling an Exercise in Relation to a Visit to the southern Provinces, I\nacquainted our Monthly-meeting therewith, and obtained their\nCertificate: Expecting to go alone, one of my Brothers, who lived in\n_Philadelphia_, having some Business in _North-Carolina_, proposed going\nwith me Part of the Way; but, as he had a View of some outward Affairs,\nto accept of him as a Companion seemed some Difficulty with me,\nwhereupon I had Conversation with him at sundry Times; and, at length,\nfeeling easy in my Mind, I had Conversation with several elderly Friends\nof _Philadelphia_ on the Subject; and he obtaining a Certificate\nsuitable to the Occasion, we set off in the fifth Month of the Year\n1757; and, coming to _Nottingham_ Week-day Meeting, lodged at JOHN\nCHURCHMAN'S; and here I met with our Friend BENJAMIN BUFFINGTON, from\n_New-England_, who was returning from a Visit to the southern Provinces.\nThence we crossed the River _Susquehannah_, and lodged at WILLIAM COX'S\nin _Maryland_; and, soon after I entered this Province, a deep and\npainful Exercise came upon me, which I often had some Feeling of since\nmy Mind was drawn towards these Parts, and with which I had acquainted\nmy Brother before we agreed to join as Companions.\n\nAs the People in this and the southern Provinces live much on the Labour\nof Slaves, many of whom are used hardly, my Concern was, that I might\nattend with Singleness of Heart to the Voice of the true Shepherd, and\nbe so supported as to remain unmoved at the Faces of Men.\n\nThe Prospect of so weighty a Work brought me very low; and such were the\nConflicts of my Soul, that I had a near Sympathy with the Prophet, in\nthe Time of his Weakness, when he said, \"If thou deal thus with me, kill\nme, I pray thee, if I have found Favour in thy Sight,\" Numb. xi. 15. But\nI soon saw that this proceeded from the Want of a full Resignation to\nthe divine Will. Many were the Afflictions which attended me; and in\ngreat Abasement, with many Tears, my Cries were to the Almighty, for his\ngracious and Fatherly Assistance; and then, after a Time of deep Trial,\nI was favoured to understand the State mentioned by the Psalmist, more\nclearly than ever I had before; to wit: \"My Soul is even as a weaned\nChild.\" Psalm cxxxi. 2. Being thus helped to sink down into Resignation,\nI felt a Deliverance from that Tempest in which I had been sorely\nexercised, and in Calmness of Mind went forward, trusting that the Lord\nJesus Christ, as I faithfully attended to him, would be a Counsellor to\nme in all Difficulties.\n\nThe seventh Day of the fifth Month, in the Year 1757, I lodged at a\nFriend's House; and the next Day, being the first of the Week, was at\n_Potapsco_ Meeting; then crossed _Patuxent_ River, and lodged at a\nPublic-house. On the ninth breakfasted at a Friend's House; who,\nafterward, putting us a little on our Way, I had Conversation with him,\nin the Fear of the Lord, concerning his Slaves; in which my Heart was\ntender, and I used much Plainness of Speech with him, which he appeared\nto take kindly. We pursued our Journey without appointing Meetings,\nbeing pressed in Mind to be at the Yearly-meeting in _Virginia_; and, in\nmy travelling on the Road, I often felt a Cry rise from the Center of my\nMind, thus: O Lord, I am a Stranger on the Earth, hide not thy Face from\nme.\n\nOn the eleventh Day of the fifth Month, we crossed the Rivers\n_Patowmack_ and _Rapahannock_, and lodged at _Port-Royal_; and on the\nWay we happening in Company with a Colonel of the Militia, who appeared\nto be a thoughtful Man, I took Occasion to remark on the Difference in\ngeneral betwixt a People used to labour moderately for their Living,\ntraining up their Children in Frugality and Business, and those who live\non the Labour of Slaves; the former, in my View, being the most happy\nLife: With which he concurred, and mentioned the Trouble arising from\nthe untoward, slothful, Disposition of the Negroes; adding, that one of\nour Labourers would do as much in a Day as two of their Slaves. I\nreplied, that free Men, whose Minds were properly on their Business,\nfound a Satisfaction in improving, cultivating, and providing for their\nFamilies; but Negroes, labouring to support others who claim them as\ntheir Property, and expecting nothing but Slavery during Life, had not\nthe like Inducement to be industrious.\n\nAfter some farther Conversation, I said, that Men having Power too often\nmisapplied it; that though we made Slaves of the Negroes, and the\n_Turks_ made Slaves of the _Christians_, I believed that Liberty was the\nnatural Right of all Men equally: Which he did not deny; but said, the\nLives of the Negroes were so wretched in their own Country, that many of\nthem lived better here than there: I only said, there are great odds, in\nregard to us, on what Principle we act; and so the Conversation on that\nSubject ended: And I may here add, that another Person, some Time\nafterward, mentioned the Wretchedness of the Negroes, occasioned by\ntheir intestine Wars, as an Argument in Favour of our fetching them away\nfor Slaves: To which I then replied, if Compassion on the _Africans_, in\nRegard to their domestic Troubles, were the real Motive of our\npurchasing them, that Spirit of Tenderness, being attended to, would\nincite us to use them kindly; that, as Strangers brought out of\nAffliction, their Lives might be happy among us; and as they are human\nCreatures, whose Souls are as precious as ours, and who may receive the\nsame Help and Comfort from the holy Scriptures as we do, we could not\nomit suitable Endeavours to instruct them therein: But while we\nmanifest, by our Conduct, that our Views in purchasing them are to\nadvance ourselves; and while our buying Captives taken in War animates\nthose Parties to push on that War, and increase Desolation amongst them,\nto say they live unhappy in _Africa_, is far from being an Argument in\nour Favour: And I farther said, the present Circumstances of these\nProvinces to me appear difficult; that the Slaves look like a\nburthensome Stone to such who burthen themselves with them; and that if\nthe white People retain a Resolution to prefer their outward Prospects\nof Gain to all other Considerations, and do not act conscientiously\ntoward them as fellow Creatures, I believe that Burthen will grow\nheavier and heavier, till Times change in a Way disagreeable to us: At\nwhich the Person appeared very serious, and owned, that, in considering\ntheir Condition, and the Manner of their Treatment in these Provinces,\nhe had sometimes thought it might be just in the Almighty so to order\nit.\n\nHaving thus travelled through _Maryland_, we came amongst Friends at\n_Cedar-Creek_ in _Virginia_, on the 12th Day of the fifth Month; and the\nnext Day rode, in Company with several Friends, a Day's Journey to\n_Camp-Creek_. As I was riding along in the Morning, my Mind was deeply\naffected in a Sense I had of the Want of divine Aid to support me in the\nvarious Difficulties which attended me; and, in an uncommon Distress of\nMind, I cried in secret to the Most High, O Lord, be merciful, I beseech\nthee, to thy poor afflicted Creature. After some Time, I felt inward\nRelief; and, soon after, a Friend in Company began to talk in Support of\nthe Slave-Trade, and said, the Negroes were understood to be the\nOffspring of _Cain_, their Blackness being the Mark God set upon him\nafter he murdered _Abel_ his Brother; that it was the Design of\nProvidence they should be Slaves, as a Condition proper to the Race of\nso wicked a Man as _Cain_ was: Then another spake in Support of what had\nbeen said. To all which, I replied in Substance as follows: That _Noah_\nand his Family were all who survived the Flood, according to Scripture;\nand, as _Noah_ was of _Seth's_ Race, the Family of _Cain_ was wholly\ndestroyed. One of them said, that after the Flood _Ham_ went to the Land\nof _Nod_, and took a Wife; that _Nod_ was a Land far distant, inhabited\nby _Cain's_ Race, and that the Flood did not reach it; and as _Ham_ was\nsentenced to be a Servant of Servants to his Brethren, these two\nFamilies, being thus joined, were undoubtedly fit only for Slaves. I\nreplied, the Flood was a Judgment upon the World for its Abominations;\nand it was granted, that _Cain's_ Stock was the most wicked, and\ntherefore unreasonable to suppose they were spared: As to _Ham's_ going\nto the Land of _Nod_ for a Wife, no Time being fixed, _Nod_ might be\ninhabited by some of _Noah's_ Family, before _Ham_ married a second\nTime; moreover the Text saith, \"That all Flesh died that moved upon the\nEarth.\" _Gen._ vii. 21. I farther reminded them, how the Prophets\nrepeatedly declare, \"That the Son shall not suffer for the Iniquity of\nthe Father; but every one be answerable for his own Sins.\" I was\ntroubled to perceive the Darkness of their Imaginations; and in some\nPressure of Spirit said, the Love of Ease and Gain is the Motive in\ngeneral for keeping Slaves, and Men are wont to take hold of weak\nArguments to support a Cause which is unreasonable; and added, I have no\nInterest on either Side, save only the Interest which I desire to have\nin the Truth: And as I believe Liberty is their Right, and see they are\nnot only deprived of it, but treated in other Respects with Inhumanity\nin many Places, I believe he, who is a Refuge for the Oppressed, will,\nin his own Time, plead their Cause; and happy will it be for such as\nwalk in Uprightness before him: And thus our Conversation ended.\n\nOn the fourteenth Day of the fifth Month I was at _Camp-Creek_\nMonthly-meeting, and then rode to the Mountains up _James-River_, and\nhad a Meeting at a Friend's House; in both which I felt Sorrow of Heart,\nand my Tears were poured out before the Lord, who was pleased to afford\na Degree of Strength, by which Way was opened to clear my Mind amongst\nFriends in those Places. From thence I went to _Fort-Creek_, and so to\n_Cedar-Creek_ again; at which Place I had a Meeting; here I found a\ntender Seed: And as I was preserved in the Ministry to keep low with the\nTruth, the same Truth in their Hearts answered it, that it was a Time of\nmutual Refreshment from the Presence of the Lord. I lodged at JAMES\nSTANDLEY'S, Father of WILLIAM STANDLEY, one of the young Men who\nsuffered Imprisonment at _Winchester_, last Summer, on Account of their\nTestimony against Fighting; and I had some satisfactory Conversation\nwith him concerning it. Hence I went to the _Swamp_ Meeting, and to\n_Wayanoke_ Meeting; and then crossed _James-River_, and lodged near\n_Burleigh_. From the Time of my entering _Maryland_ I had been much\nunder Sorrow, which so increased upon me, that my Mind was almost\noverwhelmed; and I may say with the Psalmist, \"In my Distress I called\nupon the Lord, and cried to my God;\" who, in infinite Goodness, looked\nupon my Affliction, and in my private Retirement sent the Comforter for\nmy Relief: For which I humbly bless his holy Name.\n\nThe Sense I had of the State of the Churches brought a Weight of\nDistress upon me: The Gold to me appeared dim, and the fine Gold\nchanged; and though this is the Case too generally, yet the Sense of it\nin these Parts hath, in a particular Manner, borne heavy upon me. It\nappeared to me, that, through the prevailing of the Spirit of this\nWorld, the Minds of many were brought to an inward Desolation; and,\ninstead of the Spirit of Meekness, Gentleness, and heavenly Wisdom,\nwhich are the necessary Companions of the true Sheep of Christ, a Spirit\nof Fierceness, and the Love of Dominion, too generally prevailed. From\nsmall Beginnings in Errors, great Buildings, by degrees, are raised; and\nfrom one Age to another are more and more strengthened by the general\nConcurrence of the People; and, as Men obtain Reputation by their\nProfession of the Truth, their Virtues are mentioned as Arguments in\nFavour of general Error, and those of less Note, to justify themselves,\nsay, such and such good Men did the like. By what other Steps could the\nPeople of _Judah_ arise to that Height in Wickedness, as to give just\nGround for the Prophet _Isaiah_ to declare, in the Name of the Lord,\n\"that none calleth for Justice, nor any pleadeth for Truth.\" _Isaiah_\nlix. 4. Or for the Almighty to call upon the great City of _Jerusalem_,\njust before the _Babylonish_ Captivity: \"If ye can find a Man, if there\nbe any who executeth Judgment, that seeketh the Truth, and I will pardon\nit.\" _Jer._ v. 1. The Prospect of a Road lying open to the same\nDegeneracy, in some Parts of this newly-settled Land of _America_, in\nRespect to our Conduct toward the Negroes, deeply bowed my Mind in this\nJourney; and, though, to briefly relate how these People are treated is\nno agreeable Work; yet, after often reading over the Notes I made as I\ntravelled, I find my Mind engaged to preserve them. Many of the white\nPeople in those Provinces take little or no Care of Negro Marriages;\nand, when Negroes marry after their own Way, some make so little Account\nof those Marriages, that, with Views of outward Interest, they often\npart Men from their Wives by selling them far asunder; which is common\nwhen Estates are sold by Executors at Vendue. Many, whose Labour is\nheavy, being followed, at their Business in the Field, by a Man with a\nWhip, hired for that Purpose, have, in common, little else allowed but\none Peck of _Indian_ Corn and some Salt for one Week, with a few\nPotatoes; the Potatoes they commonly raise by their Labour on the first\nDay of the Week.\n\nThe Correction, ensuing on their Disobedience to Overseers, or\nSlothfulness in Business, is often very severe, and sometimes desperate.\n\nThe Men and Women have many Times scarce Clothes enough to hide their\nNakedness, and Boys and Girls, ten and twelve Years old, are often quite\nnaked amongst their Master's Children: Some of our Society, and some of\nthe Society called New-Lights, use some Endeavours to instruct those\nthey have in reading; but, in common, this is not only neglected, but\ndisapproved. These are the People by whose Labour the other Inhabitants\nare in a great Measure supported, and many of them in the Luxuries of\nLife: These are the People who have made no Agreement to serve us, and\nwho have not forfeited their Liberty that we know of: These are Souls\nfor whom Christ died, and, for our Conduct toward them, we must answer\nbefore him who is no Respecter of Persons.\n\nThey who know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent,\nand are thus acquainted with the merciful, benevolent Gospel Spirit,\nwill therein perceive that the Indignation of God is kindled against\nOppression and Cruelty; and, in beholding the great Distress of so\nnumerous a People, will find Cause for Mourning.\n\nFrom my Lodging I went to _Burleigh_ Meeting, where I felt my Mind drawn\ninto a quiet resigned State; and, after long Silence, I felt an\nEngagement to stand up; and, through the powerful Operation of divine\nLove, we were favoured with an edifying Meeting. The next Meeting we had\nwas at _Black-Water_; and so to the Yearly-meeting at the western\nBranch: When Business began, some Queries were considered, by some of\ntheir Members, to be now produced; and, if approved, to be answered\nhereafter by their respective Monthly-meetings. They were the\n_Pennsylvania_ Queries, which had been examined by a Committee of\n_Virginia_ Yearly-meeting appointed the last Year, who made some\nAlterations in them; one of which Alterations was made in Favour of a\nCustom which troubled me. The Query was, \"Are there any concerned in the\nImportation of Negroes, or buying them after imported?\" Which they\naltered thus: \"Are there any concerned in the Importation of Negroes, or\nbuying them to trade in?\" As one Query admitted with Unanimity was, \"Are\nany concerned in buying or vending Goods unlawfully imported, or prize\nGoods?\" I found my Mind engaged to say, that as we professed the Truth,\nand were there assembled to support the Testimony of it, it was\nnecessary for us to dwell deep, and act in that Wisdom which is pure, or\notherwise we could not prosper. I then mentioned their Alteration; and,\nreferring to the last-mentioned Query, added, as purchasing any\nMerchandize, taken by the Sword, was always allowed to be inconsistent\nwith our Principles; Negroes being Captives of War, or taken by Stealth,\nthose Circumstances make it inconsistent with our Testimony to buy them;\nand their being our Fellow-creatures, who are sold as Slaves, adds\ngreatly to the Iniquity. Friends appeared attentive to what was said;\nsome expressed a Care and Concern about their Negroes; none made any\nObjection, by Way of Reply to what I said; but the Query was admitted as\nthey had altered it. As some of their Members have heretofore traded in\nNegroes, as in other Merchandize, this Query being admitted, will be one\nStep farther than they have hitherto gone: And I did not see it my Duty\nto press for an Alteration; but felt easy to leave it all to him, who\nalone is able to turn the Hearts of the Mighty, and make Way for the\nspreading of Truth on the Earth, by Means agreeable to his infinite\nWisdom. But, in Regard to those they already had, I felt my Mind engaged\nto labour with them; and said, that, as we believe the Scriptures were\ngiven forth by holy Men, as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, and many\nof us know by Experience that they are often helpful and comfortable,\nand believe ourselves bound in Duty to teach our Children to read them,\nI believe, that, if we were divested of all selfish Views, the same good\nSpirit, that gave them forth, would engage us to teach the Negroes to\nread, that they might have the Benefit of them: Some, amongst them, at\nthis Time, manifested a Concern in Regard to taking more Care in the\nEducation of their Negroes.\n\nOn the twenty-ninth Day of the fifth Month, at the House where I lodged,\nwas a Meeting of Ministers and Elders, at the ninth Hour in the Morning;\nat which Time I found an Engagement to speak freely and plainly to them\nconcerning their Slaves; mentioning, how they, as the first Rank in the\nSociety, whose Conduct in that Case was much noticed by others, were\nunder the stronger Obligations to look carefully to themselves:\nExpressing how needful it was for them, in that Situation, to be\nthoroughly divested of all selfish Views; that living in the pure Truth,\nand acting conscientiously toward those People in their Education and\notherwise, they might be instrumental in helping forward a Work so\nnecessary, and so much neglected amongst them. At the twelfth Hour the\nMeeting of Worship began, which was a solid Meeting.\n\nOn the thirtieth Day, about the tenth Hour, Friends met to finish their\nBusiness, and then the meeting for Worship ensued, which to me was a\nlaborious Time; but, through the Goodness of the Lord, Truth, I\nbelieve, gained some Ground; and it was a strengthening Opportunity to\nthe Honest-hearted.\n\nAbout this Time I wrote an Epistle to Friends in the Back-settlements of\n_North-Carolina_, as follows:\n\n     To Friends at their Monthly-meeting at _New-Garden_ and\n     _Cane-Creek_, in _North-Carolina_.\n\n     Dear Friends,--It having pleased the Lord to draw me forth on a\n     Visit to some Parts of _Virginia_ and _Carolina_, you have often\n     been in my Mind; and though my Way is not clear to come in Person\n     to visit you, yet I feel it in my Heart to communicate a few\n     Things, as they arise in the Love of Truth. First, my dear Friends,\n     dwell in Humility, and take Heed that no Views of outward Gain get\n     too deep hold of you, that so your Eyes being single to the Lord,\n     you may be preserved in the Way of Safety. Where People let loose\n     their Minds after the Love of outward Things, and are more engaged\n     in pursuing the Profits, and seeking the Friendships, of this\n     World, than to be inwardly acquainted with the Way of true Peace;\n     such walk in a vain Shadow, while the true Comfort of Life is\n     wanting: Their Examples are often hurtful to others; and their\n     Treasures, thus collected, do many Times prove dangerous Snares to\n     their Children.\n\n     But where People are sincerely devoted to follow Christ, and dwell\n     under the Influence of his holy Spirit, their Stability and\n     Firmness, through a divine Blessing, is at Times like Dew on the\n     tender Plants round about them, and the Weightiness of their\n     Spirits secretly works on the Minds of others; and in this\n     Condition, through the spreading Influence of divine Love, they\n     feel a Care over the Flock; and Way is opened for maintaining good\n     Order in the Society: And though we meet with Opposition from\n     another Spirit, yet, as there is a dwelling in Meekness, feeling\n     our Spirits subject, and moving only in the gentle peaceable\n     Wisdom, the inward Reward of Quietness will be greater than all our\n     Difficulties. Where the pure Life is kept to, and Meetings of\n     Discipline are held in the Authority of it, we find by Experience\n     that they are comfortable, and tend to the Health of the Body.\n\n     While I write, the Youth come fresh in my Way:--Dear young People,\n     choose God for your Portion; love his Truth, and be not ashamed of\n     it: Choose for your Company such as serve him in Uprightness; and\n     shun, as most dangerous, the Conversation of those whose Lives are\n     of an ill Savour; for, by frequenting such Company, some hopeful\n     young People have come to great Loss, and have been drawn from less\n     Evils to greater, to their utter Ruin. In the Bloom of Youth no\n     Ornament is so lovely as that of Virtue, nor any Enjoyments equal\n     to those which we partake of, in fully resigning ourselves to the\n     divine Will: These Enjoyments add Sweetness to all other Comforts,\n     and give true Satisfaction in Company and Conversation, where\n     People are mutually acquainted with it; and, as your Minds are thus\n     seasoned with the Truth, you will find Strength to abide stedfast\n     to the Testimony of it, and be prepared for Services in the Church.\n\n     And now, dear Friends and Brethren, as you are improving a\n     Wilderness, and may be numbered amongst the first Planters in one\n     Part of a Province, I beseech you, in the Love of Jesus Christ, to\n     wisely consider the Force of your Examples, and think how much your\n     Successors may be thereby affected: It is a Help in a Country, yea,\n     and a great Favour and a Blessing, when Customs, first settled, are\n     agreeable to sound Wisdom; so, when they are otherwise, the Effect\n     of them is grievous; and Children feel themselves encompassed with\n     Difficulties prepared for them by their Predecessors.\n\n     As moderate Care and Exercise, under the Direction of true Wisdom,\n     are useful both to Mind and Body; so by this Means in general, the\n     real Wants of Life are easily supplied: Our gracious Father having\n     so proportioned one to the other, that keeping in the true Medium\n     we may pass on quietly. Where Slaves are purchased to do our\n     Labour, numerous Difficulties attend it. To rational Creatures\n     Bondage is uneasy, and frequently occasions Sourness and Discontent\n     in them; which affects the Family, and such as claim the Mastery\n     over them: And thus People and their Children are many Times\n     encompassed with Vexations, which arise from their applying to\n     wrong Methods to get a Living.\n\n     I have been informed that there is a large Number of Friends in\n     your Parts, who have no Slaves; and in tender and most affectionate\n     Love, I beseech you to keep clear from purchasing any. Look, my\n     dear Friends, to divine Providence; and follow in Simplicity that\n     Exercise of Body, that Plainness and Frugality, which true Wisdom\n     leads to; so will you be preserved from those Dangers which attend\n     such as are aiming at outward Ease and Greatness.\n\n     Treasures, though small, attained on a true Principle of Virtue,\n     are sweet in the Possession, and, while we walk in the Light of the\n     Lord, there is true Comfort and Satisfaction. Here, neither the\n     Murmurs of an oppressed People, nor an uneasy Conscience, nor\n     anxious Thoughts about the Events of Things, hinder the Enjoyment\n     of it.\n\n     When we look toward the End of Life, and think on the Division of\n     our Substance among our Successors; if we know that it was\n     collected in the Fear of the Lord, in Honesty, in Equity, and in\n     Uprightness of Heart before him, we may consider it as his Gift to\n     us; and with a single Eye to his Blessing, bestow it on those we\n     leave behind us. Such is the Happiness of the plain Ways of true\n     Virtue. \"The Work of Righteousness shall be Peace; and the Effect\n     of Righteousness, Quietness and Assurance for ever.\" Isa. xxxii.\n     17.\n\n     Dwell here, my dear Friends; and then, in remote and solitary\n     Desarts, you may find true Peace and Satisfaction. If the Lord be\n     our God, in Truth and Reality, there is Safety for us; for he is a\n     Stronghold in the Day of Trouble, and knoweth them that trust in\n     him.\n\n     ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY, IN VIRGINIA,\n     _29th of the 5th Month, 1757_.\n\nFrom the Yearly-meeting in _Virginia_, I went to _Carolina_; and, on the\nfirst Day of the sixth Month, was at _Wells_ Monthly-meeting, where the\nSpring of the Gospel Ministry was opened, and the Love of Jesus Christ\nexperienced amongst us: To his Name be the Praise!\n\nHere my Brother joined with some Friends from _New-Garden_, who were\ngoing homeward; and I went next to _Simond's_ Creek Monthly-meeting,\nwhere I was silent during the Meeting for Worship: When Business came\non, my Mind was exercised concerning the poor Slaves; but did not feel\nmy Way clear to speak: In this Condition I was bowed in Spirit before\nthe Lord; and with Tears and inward Supplication besought him so to open\nmy Understanding, that I might know his Will concerning me; and, at\nlength, my mind was settled in Silence: Near the End of their Business,\na Member of their Meeting expressed a Concern, that had some Time lain\nupon him, on Account of Friends so much neglecting their Duty in the\nEducation of their Slaves; and proposed having Meetings sometimes\nappointed for them on a Week-day, to be only attended by some Friends to\nbe named in their Monthly-meetings: Many present appeared to unite with\nthe Proposal: One said, he had often wondered that they, being our\nFellow-creatures, and capable of religious Understanding, had been so\nexceedingly neglected: Another expressed the like Concern, and appeared\nzealous, that Friends, in future, might more closely consider it: At\nlength a Minute was made; and the farther Consideration of it referred\nto their next Monthly-meeting. The Friend who made this Proposal had\nNegroes: He told me, that he was at _New-Garden_, about two hundred and\nfifty Miles from Home, and came back alone; and that in this solitary\nJourney, this Exercise, in Regard to the Education of their Negroes,\nwas, from Time to Time, renewed in his Mind. A Friend of some Note in\n_Virginia_, who had Slaves, told me, that he being far from Home on a\nlonesome Journey, had many serious Thoughts about them; and that his\nMind was so impressed therewith, that he believed that he saw a Time\ncoming, when divine Providence would alter the Circumstances of these\nPeople, respecting their Condition as Slaves.\n\nFrom hence I went to _Newbegun Creek_, and sat a considerable Time in\nmuch Weakness; then I felt Truth open the Way to speak a little in much\nPlainness and Simplicity, till, at length, through the Increase of\ndivine Love amongst us, we had a seasoning Opportunity. From thence to\nthe Head of _Little-River_, on a First-day, where was a crowded Meeting;\nand, I believe, it was, through divine Goodness, made profitable to\nsome. Thence to the _Old-Neck_; where I was led into a careful searching\nout the secret Workings of the Mystery of Iniquity, which, under a Cover\nof Religion, exalts itself against that pure Spirit, which leads in the\nWay of Meekness and Self-denial. From thence to _Pineywoods_: This was\nthe last Meeting I was at in _Carolina_, and was large; and, my Heart\nbeing deeply engaged, I was drawn forth into a fervent Labour amongst\nthem.\n\nFrom hence I went back into _Virginia_, and had a Meeting near JAMES\nCOWPLAND'S; it was a Time of inward Suffering; but, through the Goodness\nof the Lord, I was made content: Then to another Meeting; where, through\nthe Renewings of pure Love, we had a very comfortable Season.\n\nTravelling up and down of late, I have had renewed Evidences, that to be\nfaithful to the Lord, and content with his Will concerning me, is a most\nnecessary and useful Lesson for me to be learning; looking less at the\nEffects of my Labour, than at the pure Motion and Reality of the\nConcern, as it arises from heavenly Love. In the Lord Jehovah is\neverlasting Strength; and as the Mind, by a humble Resignation, is\nunited to him; and we utter Words from an inward Knowledge that they\narise from the heavenly Spring, though our Way may be difficult, and\nrequire close Attention to keep in it; and though the Manner in which we\nmay be led may tend to our own Abasement; yet, if we continue in\nPatience and Meekness, heavenly Peace is the Reward of our Labours.\n\nFrom thence I went to _Curles_ Meeting; which, though small, was\nreviving to the Honest-hearted. Thence to _Black-Creek_ and _Caroline_\nMeetings; from whence, accompanied by WILLIAM STANDLEY,\nbefore-mentioned, we rode to _Goose-Creek_, being much through the\nWoods, and about one hundred Miles.--We lodged the first Night at a\nPublick-house; the second, in the Woods; and, the next Day, we reached a\nFriend's House, at _Goose-Creek_. In the Woods we lay under some\nDisadvantage, having no Fire-works nor Bells for our Horses; but we\nstopped a little before Night, and let them feed on the wild Grass which\nwas in plenty; in the mean Time cutting with our Knives a Store against\nNight, and then tying them, and gathering some Bushes under an Oak, we\nlay down; but, the Musquettoes being plenty, and the Ground damp, I\nslept but little: Thus, lying in the Wilderness, and looking at the\nStars, I was led to contemplate on the Condition of our first Parents,\nwhen they were sent forth from the Garden; but the Almighty, though they\nhad been disobedient, continued to be a Father to them, and shewed them\nwhat tended to their Felicity, as intelligent Creatures, and was\nacceptable to him. To provide Things relative to our outward Living, in\nthe Way of true Wisdom, is good; and the Gift of improving in Things\nuseful is a good Gift, and comes from the Father of Lights. Many have\nhad this Gift; and, from Age to Age, there have been Improvements of\nthis Kind made in the World: But some, not keeping to the pure Gift,\nhave, in the creaturely Cunning and Self-Exaltation, sought out many\nInventions; which Inventions of Men are distinct from that Uprightness\nin which Man was created; as the first Motion to them was evil, so the\nEffects have been and are evil. At this Day, it is as necessary for us\nconstantly to attend on the heavenly Gift, to be qualified to use\nrightly the good Things in this Life amidst great Improvements, as it\nwas for our first Parents, when they were without any Improvements,\nwithout any Friend or Father but God only.\n\nI was at a Meeting at _Goose-Creek_; and next at a Monthly-meeting at\n_Fairfax_; where, through the gracious Dealing of the Almighty with us,\nhis Power prevailed over many Hearts. Thence to _Manoquacy_ and\n_Pipe-Creek_, in _Maryland_; at both which Places I had Cause humbly to\nadore him, who supported me through many Exercises, and by whose Help I\nwas enabled to reach the true Witness in the Hearts of others: There\nwere some hopeful young People in those Parts. Thence I had Meetings at\n_John Everit's_ in _Monalen_, and at _Huntingdon_; and I was made humbly\nthankful to the Lord, who opened my Heart amongst the People in these\nnew Settlements, so that it was a Time of Encouragement to the\nHonest-minded.\n\nAt _Monalen_, a Friend gave me some Account of a religious Society among\nthe _Dutch_, called _Mennonists_; and, amongst other Things, related a\nPassage in Substance as follows:--One of the _Mennonists_ having\nAcquaintance with a Man of another Society at a considerable Distance,\nand being with his Waggon on Business near the House of his said\nAcquaintance, and Night coming on, he had Thoughts of putting up with\nhim; but passing by his Fields, and observing the distressed Appearance\nof his Slaves, he kindled a Fire in the Woods hard by, and lay there\nthat Night: His said Acquaintance hearing where he lodged, and afterward\nmeeting the _Mennonist_, told him of it; adding, he should have been\nheartily welcome at his House; and, from their Acquaintance in former\nTime, wondered at his Conduct in that Case. The _Mennonist_ replied,\nEver since I lodged by thy Field, I have wanted an Opportunity to speak\nwith thee: The Matter was; I intended to have come to thy House for\nEntertainment, but, seeing thy Slaves at their Work, and observing the\nManner of their Dress, I had no liking to come to partake with thee:\nThen admonished him to use them with more Humanity; and added, As I lay\nby the Fire that Night, I thought that, as I was a Man of Substance,\nthou wouldst have received me freely; but, if I had been as poor as one\nof thy Slaves, and had no Power to help myself, I should have received\nfrom thy Hand no kinder Usage than they.\n\nHence I was at three Meetings in my Way; and so I went Home, under a\nhumbling Sense of the gracious Dealings of the Lord with me, in\npreserving me through many Trials and Afflictions in my Journey. I was\nout about two Months, and travelled about eleven hundred and fifty\nMiles.\n\n\nCHAPTER V\n\n    _The draughting of the Militia in_ New-Jersey _to serve in the Army;\n    with some Observations on the State of the Members of our Society at\n    that Time_--_His Visit to Friends in_ Pennsylvania, _accompanied by_\n    BENJAMIN JONES--_Proceedings at the Monthly, Quarterly, and\n    Yearly-Meetings, in_ Philadelphia, _respecting those who keep\n    Slaves_\n\nOn the ninth Day of the eighth Month, in the Year 1757, at Night, Orders\ncame to the military Officers in our County (_Burlington_), directing\nthem to draught the Militia, and prepare a Number of Men to go off as\nSoldiers, to the Relief of the _English_ at _Fort-William-Henry_, in\n_New-York_ Government: A few Days after which there was a general Review\nof the Militia at _Mount-Holly_, and a Number of Men chosen and sent off\nunder some Officers. Shortly after, there came Orders to draught three\nTimes as many, to hold themselves in Readiness to march when fresh\nOrders came: And, on the 17th Day of the eighth Month, there was a\nMeeting of the military Officers at _Mount-Holly_, who agreed on a\nDraught; and Orders were sent to the Men, so chosen, to meet their\nrespective Captains at set Times and Places; those in our Township to\nmeet at _Mount-Holly_; amongst whom was a considerable Number of our\nSociety. My Mind being affected herewith, I had fresh Opportunity to see\nand consider the Advantage of living in the real Substance of Religion,\nwhere Practice doth harmonize with Principle. Amongst the Officers are\nMen of Understanding, who have some Regard to Sincerity where they see\nit; and in the Execution of their Office, when they have Men to deal\nwith whom they believe to be upright-hearted, to put them to Trouble, on\naccount of Scruples of Conscience, is a painful Task, and likely to be\navoided as much as easily may be: But where Men profess to be so meek\nand heavenly-minded, and to have their Trust so firmly settled in God,\nthat they cannot join in Wars, and yet, by their Spirit and Conduct in\ncommon Life, manifest a contrary Disposition, their Difficulties are\ngreat at such a Time.\n\nOfficers, in great Anxiety, endeavouring to get Troops to answer the\nDemands of their Superiors, seeing Men, who are insincere, pretend\nScruple of Conscience in Hopes of being excused from a dangerous\nEmployment, such are likely to be roughly handled. In this Time of\nCommotion some of our young Men left the Parts, and tarried abroad till\nit was over; some came, and proposed to go as Soldiers; others appeared\nto have a real tender Scruple in their Minds against joining in Wars,\nand were much humbled under the Apprehension of a Trial so near: I had\nConversation with several of them to my Satisfaction. At the set Time\nwhen the Captain came to Town, some of those last-mentioned went and\ntold him in Substance as follows:--That they could not bear Arms for\nConscience-sake; nor could they hire any to go in their Places, being\nresigned as to the Event of it: At length the Captain acquainted them\nall, that they might return Home for the present, and, required them to\nprovide themselves as Soldiers, and to be in Readiness to march when\ncalled upon. This was such a Time as I had not seen before; and yet I\nmay say, with Thankfulness to the Lord, that I believed this Trial was\nintended for our Good; and I was favoured with Resignation to him. The\n_French_ Army, taking the Fort they were besieging, destroyed it and\nwent away: The Company of Men first draughted, after some Days march,\nhad Orders to return Home; and those on the second Draught were no more\ncalled upon on that Occasion.\n\nOn the fourth Day of the fourth Month, in the Year 1758, Orders came to\nsome Officers in _Mount-Holly_, to prepare Quarters, a short Time, for\nabout one hundred Soldiers: And an Officer and two other Men, all\nInhabitants of our Town, came to my House; and the Officer told me, that\nhe came to speak with me, to provide Lodging and Entertainment for two\nSoldiers, there being six Shillings a Week per Man allowed as Pay for\nit. The Case being new and unexpected, I made no Answer suddenly; but\nsat a Time silent, my Mind being inward: I was fully convinced, that the\nProceedings in Wars are inconsistent with the Purity of the _Christian_\nReligion: And to be hired to entertain Men, who were then under Pay as\nSoldiers, was a Difficulty with me. I expected they had legal Authority\nfor what they did; and, after a short Time, I said to the Officer, If\nthe Men are sent here for Entertainment, I believe I shall not refuse to\nadmit them into my House; but the Nature of the Case is such, that I\nexpect I cannot keep them on Hire: One of the Men intimated, that he\nthought I might do it consistent with my religious Principles; To which\nI made no Reply; as believing Silence at that Time best for me. Though\nthey spake of two, there came only one, who tarried at my House about\ntwo Weeks, and behaved himself civilly; and when the Officer came to pay\nme, I told him I could not take Pay for it, having admitted him into my\nHouse in a passive Obedience to Authority. I was on Horseback when he\nspake to me: And, as I turned from him, he said, he was obliged to me:\nTo which I said nothing; but, thinking on the Expression, I grew uneasy;\nand afterwards, being near where he lived, I went and told him on what\nGrounds I refused taking Pay for keeping the Soldier.\n\nNear the Beginning of the Year 1758, I went one Evening, in Company with\na Friend, to visit a sick Person; and, before our Return, we were told\nof a Woman living near, who, of late, had several Days been\ndisconsolate, occasioned by a Dream; wherein Death, and the Judgments of\nthe Almighty after Death, were represented to her Mind in a moving\nManner: Her Sadness on that Account, being worn off, the Friend, with\nwhom I was in Company, went to see her, and had some religious\nConversation with her and her Husband: With this Visit they were\nsomewhat affected; and the Man, with many Tears, expressed his\nSatisfaction; and, in a short Time after, the poor Man being on the\nRiver in a Storm of Wind, he, with one more, was drowned.\n\nIn the eighth Month of the Year 1758, having had Drawings in my Mind to\nbe at the Quarterly-meeting in _Chester_ County, and at some Meetings in\nthe County of _Philadelphia_, I went first to said Quarterly-meeting,\nwhich was large, and several weighty Matters came under Consideration\nand Debate; and the Lord was pleased to qualify some of his Servants\nwith Strength and Firmness to bear the Burthen of the Day: Though I said\nbut little, my Mind was deeply exercised; and, under a Sense of God's\nLove, in the Anointing and fitting some young Men for his Work, I was\ncomforted, and my Heart was tendered before him. From hence I went to\nthe Youth's Meeting at _Darby_, where my beloved Friend and Brother,\nBENJAMIN JONES, met me, by an Appointment before I left Home, to join in\nthe Visit: And we were at _Radnor_, _Merion_, _Richland_, _North-Wales_,\n_Plymouth_, and _Abington_ Meetings; and had Cause to bow in Reverence\nbefore the Lord, our gracious God, by whose Help Way was opened for us\nfrom day to day. I was out about two Weeks, and rode about two hundred\nMiles.\n\nThe Monthly-meeting of _Philadelphia_ having been under a Concern on\nAccount of some Friends who this Summer (1758) had bought Negro Slaves,\nthe said Meeting moved it to their Quarterly-meeting, to have the Minute\nreconsidered in the Yearly-meeting, which was made last on that Subject:\nAnd the said Quarterly-meeting appointed a Committee to consider it, and\nreport to their next; which Committee having met once and adjourned, I\ngoing to _Philadelphia_ to meet a Committee of the Yearly-meeting, was\nin Town the Evening on which the Quarterly-meeting's Committee met the\nsecond Time; and, finding an Inclination to sit with them, was, with\nsome others, admitted; and Friends had a weighty Conference on the\nSubject: And, soon after their next Quarterly-meeting, I heard that the\nCase was coming to our Yearly-meeting; which brought a weighty Exercise\nupon me, and under a Sense of my own Infirmities, and the great Danger I\nfelt of turning aside from perfect Purity, my Mind was often drawn to\nretire alone, and put up my Prayers to the Lord, that he would be\ngraciously pleased to strengthen me; that, setting aside all Views of\nSelf-interest, and the Friendship of this World, I might stand fully\nresigned to his holy Will.\n\nIn this Yearly-meeting, several weighty Matters were considered; and,\ntoward the last, that in Relation to dealing with Persons who purchase\nSlaves. During the several Sittings of the said Meeting, my Mind was\nfrequently covered with inward Prayer, and I could say with _David_,\nthat _Tears were my Meat Day and Night_. The Case of Slave-keeping lay\nheavy upon me; nor did I find any Engagement to speak directly to any\nother Matter before the Meeting. Now, when this Case was opened, several\nfaithful Friends spake weightily thereto, with which I was comforted;\nand, feeling a Concern to cast in my Mite, I said in Substance as\nfollows:\n\n\"In the Difficulties attending us in this Life, nothing is more precious\nthan the Mind of Truth inwardly manifested; and it is my earnest Desire\nthat, in this weighty Matter we may be so truly humbled as to be\nfavoured with a clear Understanding of the Mind of Truth, and follow it;\nthis would be of more Advantage to the Society, than any Medium not in\nthe Clearness of divine Wisdom. The Case is difficult to some who have\nthem; but if such set aside all Self-interest, and come to be weaned\nfrom the Desire of getting Estates, or even from holding them together,\nwhen Truth requires the Contrary, I believe Way will open that they will\nknow how to steer through those Difficulties.\"\n\nMany Friends appeared to be deeply bowed under the Weight of the Work;\nand manifested much Firmness in their Love to the Cause of Truth and\nuniversal Righteousness on the Earth: And, though none did openly\njustify the Practice of Slave-keeping in general, yet some appeared\nconcerned, lest the Meeting should go into such Measures as might give\nUneasiness to many Brethren; alledging, that if Friends patiently\ncontinued under the Exercise, the Lord, in Time to come might open a Way\nfor the Deliverance of these People: And, I finding an Engagement to\nspeak, said, \"My Mind is often led to consider the Purity of the divine\nBeing, and the Justice of his Judgments; and herein my Soul is covered\nwith Awfulness: I cannot omit to hint of some Cases, where People have\nnot been treated with the Purity of Justice, and the Event hath been\nlamentable: Many Slaves on this Continent are oppressed, and their Cries\nhave reached the Ears of the Most High. Such are the Purity and\nCertainty of his Judgments, that he cannot be partial in our Favour. In\ninfinite Love and Goodness, he hath opened our Understandings, from one\nTime to another, concerning our Duty towards this People; and it is not\na Time for Delay. Should we now be sensible of what he requires of us,\nand, through a Respect to the private Interest of some Persons, or\nthrough a Regard to some Friendships which do not stand on an immutable\nFoundation, neglect to do our Duty in Firmness and Constancy, still\nwaiting for some extraordinary Means to bring about their Deliverance,\nit may be by terrible Things in Righteousness God may answer us in this\nMatter.\"\n\nMany faithful Brethren laboured with great Firmness; and the Love of\nTruth, in a good Degree, prevailed. Several Friends, who had Negroes,\nexpressed their Desire that a Rule might be made, to deal with such\nFriends as Offenders who bought Slaves in future: To this it was\nanswered, that the Root of this Evil would never be effectually struck\nat, until a thorough Search was made into the Circumstances of such\nFriends as kept Negroes, with respect to the Righteousness of their\nMotives in keeping them, that impartial Justice might be administered\nthroughout. Several Friends expressed their Desire, that a Visit might\nbe made to such Friends as kept Slaves; and many Friends said, that they\nbelieved Liberty was the Negroes Right: To which, at length, no\nOpposition was made publickly. A Minute was made more full on that\nSubject than any heretofore; and the Names of several Friends entered,\nwho were free to join in a Visit to such as kept Slaves.\n\n\nCHAPTER VI\n\n    _His visiting the Quarterly-meetings in_ Chester _County; and\n    afterwards joining with_ DANIEL STANTON _and_ JOHN SCARBOROUGH _in a\n    Visit to such as kept Slaves there_--_Some Observations on the\n    Conduct such should maintain as are concerned to speak in Meetings\n    for Discipline_--_Several more Visits to such as kept Slaves; and to\n    Friends near_ Salem--_Some Account of the Yearly-meeting in the Year\n    1759; and of the increasing Concern, in divers Provinces, to labour\n    against buying and keeping Slaves_--_The Yearly-meeting Epistle_\n\nOn the eleventh Day of the eleventh Month, in the Year 1758, I set out\nfor _Concord_; the Quarterly-meeting, heretofore held there, was now, by\nreason of a great Increase of Members, divided into two by the Agreement\nof Friends, at our last Yearly-meeting. Here I met with our beloved\nFriends, SAMUEL SPAVOLD and MARY KIRBY, from _England_, and with JOSEPH\nWHITE, from _Bucks_ County, who had taken Leave of his Family in order\nto go on a religious Visit to Friends in _England_; and, through divine\nGoodness, we were favoured with a strengthening Opportunity together.\n\nAfter this Meeting I joined with my Friends, DANIEL STANTON and JOHN\nSCARBOROUGH, in visiting Friends who had Slaves; and at Night we had a\nFamily-meeting at WILLIAM TRIMBLE'S, many young People being there; and\nit was a precious reviving Opportunity. Next Morning we had a\ncomfortable Sitting with a sick Neighbour; and thence to the Burial of\nthe Corpse of a Friend at _Uwchland_ Meeting, at which were many People,\nand it was a Time of divine Favour; after which, we visited some who had\nSlaves; and, at Night, had a Family-meeting at a Friend's House, where\nthe Channel of Gospel-love was opened, and my Mind was comforted after a\nhard Day's Labour. The next Day we were at _Goshen_ Monthly-meeting; and\nthence, on the eighteenth Day of the eleventh Month, in the Year 1758,\nattended the Quarterly-meeting at _London-Grove_, it being the first\nheld at that Place. Here we met again with all the before-mentioned\nFriends, and had some edifying Meetings: And, near the Conclusion of the\nMeeting for Business, Friends were incited to Constancy in supporting\nthe Testimony of Truth, and reminded of the Necessity which the\nDisciples of Christ are under to attend principally to his Business, as\nhe is pleased to open it to us: And to be particularly careful to have\nour Minds redeemed from the Love of Wealth; to have our outward Affairs\nin as little Room as may be; that no temporal Concerns may entangle our\nAffections, or hinder us from diligently following the Dictates of\nTruth, in labouring to promote the pure Spirit of Meekness and\nHeavenly-mindedness amongst the Children of Men in these Days of\nCalamity and Distress, wherein God is visiting our Land with his just\nJudgments.\n\nEach of these Quarterly-meetings was large, and sat near eight Hours.\nHere I had Occasion to consider, that it was a weighty Thing to speak\nmuch in large Meetings for Business: First, except our Minds are rightly\nprepared, and we clearly understand the Case we speak to, instead of\nforwarding, we hinder, Business, and make more Labour for those on whom\nthe Burthen of the Work is laid.\n\nIf selfish Views, or a partial Spirit, have any Room in our Minds, we\nare unfit for the Lord's Work; if we have a clear Prospect of the\nBusiness, and proper Weight on our Minds to speak, it behoves us to\navoid useless Apologies and Repetitions: Where People are gathered from\nfar, and adjourning a Meeting of Business is attended with great\nDifficulty, it behoves all to be cautious how they detain a Meeting;\nespecially when they have sat six or seven Hours, and have a great\nDistance to ride Home. After this Meeting I rode Home.\n\nIn the Beginning of the twelfth Month of the Year 1758 I joined in\nCompany with my Friends, JOHN SYKES and DANIEL STANTON, in visiting such\nas had Slaves: Some, whose Hearts were rightly exercised about them,\nappeared to be glad of our Visit; but in some Places our Way was more\ndifficult; and I often saw the Necessity of keeping down to that Root\nfrom whence our Concern proceeded; and have Cause, in reverent\nThankfulness, humbly to bow down before the Lord, who was near to me,\nand preserved my Mind in Calmness under some sharp Conflicts, and begat\na Spirit of Sympathy and Tenderness in me toward some who were\ngrievously entangled by the Spirit of this World.\n\nIn the first Month of the Year 1759, having found my Mind drawn to visit\nsome of the more active Members, in our Society at _Philadelphia_, who\nhad Slaves, I met my Friend JOHN CHURCHMAN there, by an Agreement: And\nwe continued about a Week in the City. We visited some that were sick,\nand some Widows and their Families; and the other Part of our Time was\nmostly employed in visiting such as had Slaves.--It was a Time of deep\nExercise, looking often to the Lord for his Assistance; who, in\nunspeakable Kindness, favoured us with the Influence of that Spirit,\nwhich crucifies to the Greatness and Splendour of this World, and\nenabled us to go through some heavy Labours, in which we found Peace.\n\nOn the twenty-fourth Day of the third Month of this Year, I was at our\ngeneral Spring-meeting at _Philadelphia_: After which, I again joined\nwith JOHN CHURCHMAN on a Visit to some more who had Slaves in\n_Philadelphia_; and, with Thankfulness to our heavenly Father, I may\nsay, that divine Love and a true sympathising Tenderness of Heart\nprevailed at Times in this Service.\n\nHaving, at Times, perceived a Shyness in some Friends, of considerable\nNote, towards me, I found an Engagement in Gospel Love to pay a Visit to\none of them; and, as I dwelt under the Exercise, I felt a Resignedness\nin my Mind to go; So I went, and told him, in private, I had a Desire to\nhave an Opportunity with him alone; to which he readily agreed: And\nthen, in the Fear of the Lord, Things relating to that Shyness were\nsearched to the Bottom; and we had a large Conference, which, I believe,\nwas of Use to both of us, and am thankful that Way was opened for it.\n\nOn the fourteenth Day of the sixth Month, in the same Year, having felt\nDrawings in my Mind to visit Friends about _Salem_, and having the\nApprobation of our Monthly-meeting therein, I attended their\nQuarterly-meeting, and was out seven Days, and at seven Meetings; in\nsome of which I was chiefly silent, and in others, through the baptizing\nPower of Truth, my Heart was enlarged in heavenly Love, and found a near\nFellowship with the Brethren and Sisters, in the manifold Trials\nattending their _Christian_ Progress through this World.\n\nIn the seventh Month, I found an increasing Concern on my Mind to visit\nsome active Members in our Society who had Slaves; and, having no\nOpportunity of the Company of such as were named on the Minutes of the\nYearly-meeting, I went alone to their Houses, and, in the Fear of the\nLord, acquainted them with the Exercise I was under: And thus,\nsometimes, by a few Words, I found myself discharged from a heavy\nBurthen.\n\nAfter this, our Friend JOHN CHURCHMAN, coming into our Province with a\nView to be at some Meetings, and to join again in the Visit to those who\nhad Slaves, I bore him Company in the said Visit to some active Members,\nand found inward Satisfaction.\n\nAt our Yearly-meeting, in the Year 1759, we had some weighty Seasons;\nwhere the Power of Truth was largely extended, to the strengthening of\nthe Honest-minded. As Friends read over the Epistles, to be sent to the\nYearly-meetings along this Continent, I observed in most of them, both\nthis Year and last, it was recommended to Friends to labour against\nbuying and keeping Slaves; and in some of them closely treated upon.\nThis Practice had long been a heavy Exercise to me, and I have often\nwaded through mortifying Labours on that Account; and, at Times, in some\nMeetings been almost alone therein. Now, observing the increasing\nConcern in our religious Society, and seeing how the Lord was raising up\nand qualifying Servants for his Work, not only in this Respect, but for\npromoting the Cause of Truth in general, I was humbly bowed in\nThankfulness before him.\n\nThis Meeting continued near a Week; and, for several Days, in the fore\nPart of it, my Mind was drawn into a deep inward Stillness; and being,\nat Times, covered with the Spirit of Supplication, my Heart was secretly\npoured out before the Lord: And, near the Conclusion of the Meeting for\nBusiness, Way opened, that, in the pure Flowings of divine Love, I\nexpressed what lay upon me; which, as it then arose in my Mind, was\n\"first to shew how Deep answers to Deep in the Hearts of the Sincere and\nUpright; though, in their different Growths, they may not all have\nattained to the same Clearness in some Points relating to our Testimony:\nAnd I was led to mention the Integrity and Constancy of many Martyrs,\nwho gave their Lives for the Testimony of Jesus; and yet, in some\nPoints, held Doctrines distinguishable from some which we hold: And\nthat, in all Ages, where People were faithful to the Light and\nUnderstanding which the Most High afforded them, they found Acceptance\nwith him; and that now, though there are different Ways of Thinking\namongst us in some Particulars, yet, if we mutually kept to that Spirit\nand Power which crucifies to the World, which teaches us to be content\nwith Things really needful, and to avoid all Superfluities, giving up\nour Hearts to fear and serve the Lord, true Unity may still be preserved\namongst us: And that if such, as were, at Times, under Sufferings on\nAccount of some Scruples of Conscience, kept low and humble, and in\ntheir Conduct in Life manifested a Spirit of true Charity, it would be\nmore likely to reach the Witness in others, and be of more Service in\nthe Church, than if their Sufferings were attended with a contrary\nSpirit and Conduct.\" In which Exercise I was drawn into a sympathizing\nTenderness with the Sheep of Christ, however distinguished one from\nanother in this World; and the like Disposition appeared to spread over\nothers in the Meeting. Great is the Goodness of the Lord toward his poor\nCreatures!\n\nAn Epistle went forth from this Yearly-meeting, which I think good to\ngive a Place in this Journal; being as follows:\n\n     From the Yearly-meeting held at _Philadelphia_, for _Pennsylvania_\n     and _New-Jersey_, from the twenty-second Day of the ninth Month, to\n     the twenty-eighth Day of the same, inclusive, 1759.\n\n     To the Quarterly and Monthly-meetings of Friends belonging to the\n     said Yearly-meeting.\n\n     \"Dearly beloved Friends and Brethren,--In an awful Sense of the\n     Wisdom and Goodness of the Lord our God, whose tender Mercies have\n     long been continued to us in this Land, we affectionately salute\n     you, with sincere and fervent Desires, that we may reverently\n     regard the Dispensations of his Providence, and improve under them.\n\n     The Empires and Kingdoms of the Earth are subject to his almighty\n     Power: He is the God of the Spirits of all Flesh, and deals with\n     his People agreeable to that Wisdom, the Depth whereof is to us\n     unsearchable: We, in these Provinces, may say, he hath, as a\n     gracious and tender Parent, dealt bountifully with us, even from\n     the Days of our Fathers: It was he who strengthened them to labour\n     through the Difficulties attending the Improvement of a Wilderness,\n     and made Way for them in the Hearts of the Natives; so that by them\n     they were comforted in Times of Want and Distress: It was by the\n     gracious Influences of his holy Spirit, that they were disposed to\n     work Righteousness, and walk uprightly one towards another, and\n     towards the Natives, and in Life and Conversation to manifest the\n     Excellency of the Principles and Doctrines of the _Christian_\n     Religion; and thereby they retain their Esteem and Friendship:\n     Whilst they were labouring for the Necessaries of Life, many of\n     them were fervently engaged to promote Piety and Virtue in the\n     Earth, and educate their Children in the Fear of the Lord.\n\n     If we carefully consider the peaceable Measures pursued in the\n     first Settlement of the Land, and that Freedom from the Desolations\n     of Wars which for a long Time we enjoyed, we shall find ourselves\n     under strong Obligations to the Almighty, who, when the Earth is\n     so generally polluted with Wickedness, gave us a Being in a Part so\n     signally favoured with Tranquility and Plenty, and in which the\n     Glad-tidings of the Gospel of Christ are so freely published, that\n     we may justly say with the Psalmist, \"What shall we render unto the\n     Lord for all his Benefits?\"\n\n     Our own real Good, and the Good of our Posterity, in some Measure,\n     depend on the Part we act; and it nearly concerns us to try our\n     Foundations impartially. Such are the different Rewards of the Just\n     and Unjust in a future State, that, to attend diligently to the\n     Dictates of the Spirit of Christ, to devote ourselves to his\n     Service, and engage fervently in his Cause, during our short Stay\n     in this World, is a Choice well becoming a free intelligent\n     Creature; we shall thus clearly see and consider that the Dealings\n     of God with Mankind in a national Capacity, as recorded in Holy\n     Writ, do sufficiently evidence the Truth of that Saying, \"It is\n     Righteousness which exalteth a Nation;\" and though he doth not at\n     all Times suddenly execute his Judgments on a sinful People in this\n     Life, yet we see, by many Instances, that where \"Men follow lying\n     Vanities, they forsake their own Mercies;\" and as a proud selfish\n     Spirit prevails and spreads among a People, so partial Judgment,\n     Oppression, Discord, Envy, and Confusions, increase, and Provinces\n     and Kingdoms are made to drink the Cup of Adversity as a Reward of\n     their own Doings. Thus the inspired Prophet, reasoning with the\n     degenerated _Jews_, saith, \"Thine own Wickedness shall correct\n     thee, and thy Backslidings shall reprove thee: Know, therefore,\n     that it is an evil Thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the\n     Lord thy God, and that my Fear is not in thee, saith the Lord God\n     of Hosts.\" _Jer._ ii. 19.\n\n     The God of our Fathers, who hath bestowed on us many Benefits,\n     furnished a Table for us in the Wilderness, and made the Desarts\n     and solitary Places to rejoice; he doth now mercifully call upon us\n     to serve him more faithfully.--We may truly say, with the Prophet,\n     \"It is his Voice which crieth to the City, and Men of Wisdom see\n     his Name: They regard the Rod, and him who hath appointed\n     it.\"--People, who look chiefly at Things outward, too little\n     consider the original Cause of the present Troubles; but such as\n     fear the Lord, and think often upon his Name, see and feel that a\n     wrong Spirit is spreading among the Inhabitants of our Country;\n     that the Hearts of many are waxed fat, and their Ears dull of\n     hearing; that the Most High, in his Visitations to us, instead of\n     calling, lifteth up his Voice and crieth; he crieth to our Country,\n     and his Voice waxeth louder and louder. In former Wars between the\n     _English_ and other Nations, since the Settlement of our Provinces,\n     the Calamities attending them have fallen chiefly on other Places,\n     but now of late they have reached to our Borders; many of our\n     fellow Subjects have suffered on and near our Frontiers, some have\n     been slain in Battle, some killed in their Houses, and some in\n     their Fields, some wounded and left in great Misery, and others\n     separated from their Wives and little Children, who have been\n     carried Captives among the _Indians_: We have seen Men and Women,\n     who have been Witnesses of these Scenes of Sorrow, and been reduced\n     to Want, have come to our Houses asking Relief.--It is not long\n     since it was the Case of many young Men, in one of these Provinces,\n     to be draughted, in order to be taken as Soldiers; some were at\n     that Time in great Distress, and had Occasion to consider that\n     their Lives had been too little conformable to the Purity and\n     Spirituality of that Religion which we profess, and found\n     themselves too little acquainted with that inward Humility, in\n     which true Fortitude to endure Hardness for the Truth's Sake is\n     experienced.--Many Parents were concerned for their Children, and\n     in that Time of Trial were led to consider, that their Care, to get\n     outward Treasure for them, had been greater than their Care for\n     their Settlement in that Religion which crucifieth to the World,\n     and enableth to bear a clear Testimony to the peaceable Government\n     of the Messiah. These Troubles are removed, and for a Time we are\n     released from them.\n\n     Let us not forget that \"The Most High hath his Way in the Deep, in\n     Clouds and in thick Darkness\"--that it is his Voice which crieth to\n     the City and to the Country; and oh! that these loud and awakening\n     Cries may have a proper Effect upon us, that heavier Chastisement\n     may not become necessary! For though Things, as to the Outward,\n     may, for a short Time, afford a pleasing Prospect; yet, while a\n     selfish Spirit, that is not subject to the Cross of Christ,\n     continueth to spread and prevail, there can be no long Continuance\n     in outward Peace and Tranquility. If we desire an Inheritance\n     incorruptible, and to be at Rest in that State of Peace and\n     Happiness, which ever continues; if we desire, in this Life, to\n     dwell under the Favour and Protection of that almighty Being, whose\n     Habitation is in Holiness, whose Ways are all equal, and whose\n     Anger is now kindled because of our Backslidings; let us then\n     awfully regard these Beginnings of his fore Judgments, and, with\n     Abasement and Humiliation turn to him, whom we have offended.\n\n     Contending with one equal in Strength is an uneasy Exercise; but if\n     the Lord is become our Enemy, if we persist to contend with him who\n     is omnipotent, our Overthrow will be unavoidable.\n\n     Do we feel an affectionate Regard to Posterity; and are we employed\n     to promote their Happiness? Do our Minds, in Things outward, look\n     beyond our own Dissolution; and are we contriving for the\n     Prosperity of our Children after us? Let us then, like wise\n     Builders, lay the Foundation deep; and, by our constant uniform\n     Regard to an inward Piety and Virtue, let them see that we really\n     value it: Let us labour, in the Fear of the Lord, that their\n     innocent Minds, while young and tender, may be preserved from\n     Corruptions; that, as they advance in Age, they may rightly\n     understand their true Interest, may consider the Uncertainty of\n     temporal Things, and, above all, have their Hope and Confidence\n     firmly settled in the Blessing of that Almighty Being, who inhabits\n     Eternity, and preserves and supports the World.\n\n     In all our Cares, about worldly Treasures, let us steadily bear in\n     Mind, that Riches, possessed by Children who do not truly serve\n     God, are likely to prove Snares that may more grievously entangle\n     them in that Spirit of Selfishness and Exaltation, which stands in\n     Opposition to real Peace and Happiness; and renders them Enemies\n     to the Cross of Christ, who submit to the Influence of it.\n\n     To keep a watchful eye towards real Objects of Charity, to visit\n     the Poor in their lonesome Dwelling-places, to comfort them who,\n     through the Dispensations of divine Providence, are in strait and\n     painful Circumstances in this Life, and steadily to endeavour to\n     honour God with our Substance, from a real Sense of the Love of\n     Christ influencing our Minds thereto, is more likely to bring a\n     Blessing to our Children, and will afford more Satisfaction to a\n     _Christian_ favoured with Plenty, than an earnest Desire to collect\n     much Wealth to leave behind us; for \"Here we have no continuing\n     City;\" may we therefore diligently \"seek one that is to come, whose\n     Builder and Maker is God.\"\n\n     \"Finally, Brethren, whatsoever Things are true, whatsoever Things\n     are just, whatsoever Things are pure, whatsoever Things are lovely,\n     whatsoever Things are of good Report; if there be any Virtue, if\n     there be any Praise, think on these Things and do them, and the God\n     of Peace shall be with you.\"\n\n     Signed, by Appointment, and on Behalf of our said\n     Meeting, by seven Friends.\n\nOn the twenty-eighth Day of the eleventh Month, in the Year 1759, I was\nat the Quarterly-meeting in _Bucks_ County: This Day being the Meeting\nof Ministers and Elders, my Heart was enlarged in the Love of Jesus\nChrist; and the Favour of the Most High was extended to us in that and\nthe ensuing Meeting.\n\nI had Conversation, at my Lodging, with my beloved Friend, SAMUEL\nEASTBURN; who expressed a Concern to join in a Visit to some Friends, in\nthat County, who had Negroes; and as I had felt a Draught in my Mind to\nthat Work in the said County, came Home and put Things in Order: On the\neleventh Day of the twelfth Month following, I went over the River; and\non the next Day was at _Buckingham_ Meeting; where, through the\nDescendings of heavenly Dew, my Mind was comforted, and drawn into a\nnear Unity with the Flock of Jesus Christ.\n\nEntering upon this Visit appeared weighty: And before I left Home my\nMind was often sad; under which Exercise I felt, at Times, the Holy\nSpirit, which helps our Infirmities; through which, in private, my\nPrayers were, at Times, put up to God, that he would be pleased to purge\nme from all Selfishness, that I might be strengthened to discharge my\nDuty faithfully, how hard soever to the natural Part. We proceeded on\nthe Visit in a weighty Frame of Spirit, and went to the Houses of the\nmost active Members, throughout the Country, who had Negroes; and,\nthrough the Goodness of the Lord, my Mind was preserved in Resignation\nin Times of Trial, and, though the Work was hard to Nature, yet through\nthe Strength of that Love which is stronger than Death, Tenderness of\nHeart was often felt amongst us in our Visits, and we parted from\nseveral Families with greater Satisfaction than we expected.\n\n       *       *       *       *       *\n\nWe visited JOSEPH WHITE'S Family, he being in _England_; and also a\nFamily-sitting at the House of an Elder who bore us Company, and was at\n_Makefield_ on a First-day: At all which Times my Heart was truly\nthankful to the Lord, who was graciously pleased to renew his\nLoving-kindness to us, his poor Servants, uniting us together in his\nWork.\n\n\nCHAPTER VII\n\n    _His Visit, in Company with_ SAMUEL EASTBURN, _to_ Long-Island,\n    Rhode-Island, Boston, _etc. in_ New-England--_Remarks on the\n    Slave-Trade at_ Newport, _and his Exercise on that Account; also on\n    Lotteries_--_Some Observations on the Island of_ Nantucket\n\nHaving, for some Time past, felt a Sympathy in my Mind with Friends\nEastward, I opened my Concern in our Monthly-meeting; and, obtaining a\nCertificate, set forward on the seventeenth Day of the fourth Month, in\nthe Year 1760, joining in Company, by a previous Agreement, with my\nbeloved Friend, SAMUEL EASTBURN. We had Meetings at _Woodbridge_,\n_Rahaway_, and _Plainfield_; and were at their Monthly-meeting of\nMinisters and Elders in _Rahaway_. We laboured under some\nDiscouragement; but, through the invisible Power of Truth, our Visit was\nmade reviving to the Lowly-minded, with whom I felt a near Unity of\nSpirit, being much reduced in my Mind. We passed on and visited the\nchief of the Meetings on _Long-Island_. It was my Concern, from Day to\nDay, to say no more nor less than what the Spirit of Truth opened in me;\nbeing jealous over myself, lest I should speak any Thing to make my\nTestimony look agreeable to that Mind in People, which is not in pure\nObedience to the Cross of Christ.\n\nThe Spring of the Ministry was often low; and, through the subjecting\nPower of Truth, we were kept low with it; and from Place to Place, such\nwhose Hearts were truly concerned for the Cause of Christ, appeared to\nbe comforted in our Labours; and though it was in general a Time of\nAbasement of the Creature, yet, through his Goodness, who is a Helper of\nthe Poor, we had some truly edifying Seasons, both in Meetings, and in\nFamilies where we tarried; and sometimes found Strength to labour\nearnestly with the Unfaithful, especially with those whose Station in\nFamilies, or in the Society, was such, that their Example had a powerful\nTendency to open the Way for others to go aside from the Purity and\nSoundness of the blessed Truth. At _Jericho_, on _Long-Island_, I wrote\nHome as follows:\n\n     _24th of the 4th Month, 1760._\n\n     \"Dearly beloved Wife,--We are favoured with Health; have been at\n     sundry Meetings in _East-Jersey_, and on this Island: My Mind hath\n     been much in an inward watchful Frame since I left thee, greatly\n     desiring that our Proceedings may be singly in the Will of our\n     heavenly Father.\n\n     \"As the present Appearance of Things is not joyous, I have been\n     much shut up from outward Cheerfulness, remembering that Promise,\n     'Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord:'--As this, from Day\n     to Day, has been revived in my Memory, I have considered that his\n     internal Presence on our Minds is a Delight, of all others, the\n     most pure; and that the Honest-hearted not only delight in this,\n     but in the Effect of it upon them. He regards the Helpless and\n     Distressed, and reveals his Love to his Children under Affliction;\n     they delight in beholding his Benevolence, and feeling divine\n     Charity moving upon them: Of this I may speak a little; for though,\n     since I left you, I have often found an engaging Love and Affection\n     toward thee and my Daughter, and Friends about Home, that going out\n     at this Time, when Sickness is so great amongst you, is a Trial\n     upon me; yet I often remember there are many Widows and Fatherless,\n     many who have poor Tutors, many who have evil Examples before them,\n     and many whose Minds are in Captivity, for whose Sake my Heart is,\n     at Times, moved with Compassion; so that I feel my Mind resigned to\n     leave you for a Season, to exercise that Gift which the Lord hath\n     bestowed on me; which though small, compared with some, yet in this\n     I rejoice, that I feel Love unfeigned toward my Fellow-creatures. I\n     recommend you to the Almighty, who, I trust, cares for you; and,\n     under a Sense of his heavenly Love, remain,--Thy loving Husband,\n\n     \"J. W.\"\n\nWe crossed from the East End of _Long-Island_ to _New-London_, about\nthirty Miles, in a large open Boat; while we were out, the Wind rising\nhigh, the Waves several Times beat over us, so that to me it appeared\ndangerous; but my Mind was, at that Time, turned to him, who made and\ngoverns the Deep, and my Life was resigned to him: And, as he was\nmercifully pleased to preserve us, I had fresh Occasion to consider\nevery Day as a Day lent to me; and felt a renewed Engagement to devote\nmy Time, and all I had, to him who gave them.\n\nWe had five Meetings in _Narraganset_; and went thence to _Newport_ on\n_Rhode-Island_. Our gracious Father preserved us in an humble Dependence\non him through deep Exercises, that were mortifying to the creaturely\nWill. In several Families in the Country, where we lodged, I felt an\nEngagement on my Mind to have a Conference with them in private\nconcerning their Slaves; and, through divine Aid, I was favoured to give\nup thereto: Though, in this Concern, I appeared singular from many,\nwhose Service in Travelling, I believe, is greater than mine; I do not\nthink hard of them for omitting it; I do not repine at having so\nunpleasant a Task assigned me, but look with Awfulness to him, who\nappoints to his Servants their respective Employments, and is good to\nall who serve him sincerely.\n\nWe got to _Newport_ in the Evening, and on the next Day visited two sick\nPersons, and had comfortable Sittings with them; and in the Afternoon\nattended the Burial of a Friend.\n\nThe next Day we were at Meetings at _Newport_, in the Forenoon and\nAfternoon; where the Spring of the Ministry was opened, and Strength\ngiven to declare the Word of Life to the People.\n\nThe next Day we went on our Journey; but the great Number of Slaves in\nthese Parts, and the Continuance of that Trade from thence to _Guinea_,\nmade deep Impression on me; and my Cries were often put up to my\nheavenly Father in secret, that he would enable me to discharge my Duty\nfaithfully, in such Way as he might be pleased to point out to me.\n\nWe took _Swansea_, _Freetown_, and _Tanton_, in our Way to _Boston_;\nwhere also we had a Meeting; our Exercise was deep, and the Love of\nTruth prevailed, for which I bless the Lord. We went Eastward about\neighty Miles beyond _Boston_, taking Meetings, and were in a good Degree\npreserved in an humble Dependance on that Arm which drew us out; and,\nthough we had some hard Labour with the Disobedient, laying Things home\nand close to such as were stout against the Truth; yet, through the\nGoodness of God, we had, at Times, to partake of heavenly Comfort with\nthem who were meek, and were often favoured to part with Friends in the\nNearness of true Gospel-fellowship. We returned to _Boston_, and had\nanother comfortable Opportunity with Friends there; and thence rode back\na Day's Journey Eastward of _Boston_: Our Guide being a heavy Man, and\nthe Weather hot, and my Companion and I considering it, expressed our\nFreedom to go on without him, to which he consented, and we respectfully\ntook our Leave of him; this we did, as believing the Journey would have\nbeen hard to him and his Horse.\n\nWe visited the Meetings in those Parts, and were measurably baptized\ninto a feeling of the State of the Society: And in Bowedness of Spirit\nwent to the Yearly-meeting at _Newport_; where I understood that a large\nNumber of Slaves were imported from _Africa_ into that Town, and then on\nSale by a Member of our Society. At this Meeting we met with JOHN STORER\nfrom _England_, ELIZABETH SHIPLEY, ANN GAUNT, HANNAH FOSTER, and MERCY\nREDMAN, from our Parts, all Ministers of the Gospel, of whose Company I\nwas glad.\n\nAt this Time my Appetite failed, and I grew outwardly weak, and had a\nFeeling of the Condition of _Habakkuk_ as there expressed: \"When I\nheard, my Belly trembled, my Lips quivered, I trembled in myself that I\nmight rest in the Day of Trouble;\" I had many Cogitations, and was\nsorely distressed: And was desirous that Friends might petition the\nLegislature, to use their Endeavours to discourage the future\nImportation of Slaves; for I saw that this Trade was a great Evil, and\ntended to multiply Troubles, and bring Distresses on the People in\nthose parts, for whose Welfare my Heart was deeply concerned.\n\nBut I perceived several Difficulties in Regard to petitioning; and such\nwas the Exercise of my Mind, that I had Thought of endeavouring to get\nan Opportunity to speak a few Words in the House of Assembly, then\nsitting in Town. This Exercise came upon me in the Afternoon, on the\nsecond Day of the Yearly-meeting, and, going to Bed, I got no Sleep till\nmy Mind was wholly resigned therein; and in the Morning I enquired of a\nFriend how long the Assembly were likely to continue sitting; who told\nme, they were expected to be prorogued that Day or the next.\n\nAs I was desirous to attend the Business of the Meeting, and perceived\nthe Assembly were likely to depart before the Business was over; after\nconsiderable Exercise, humbly seeking to the Lord for Instruction, my\nMind settled to attend on the Business of the Meeting; on the last Day\nof which, I had prepared a short Essay of a Petition to be presented to\nthe Legislature, if Way opened: And being informed that there were some\nappointed, by that Yearly-meeting, to speak with those in Authority, in\nCases relating to the Society, I opened my Mind to several of them, and\nshewed them the Essay I had made; and afterward opened the Case in the\nMeeting for Business, in Substance as follows:\n\n\"I have been under a Concern for some Time, on Account of the great\nNumber of Slaves which are imported in this Colony; I am aware that it\nis a tender Point to speak to, but apprehend I am not clear in the Sight\nof Heaven without speaking to it. I have prepared an Essay of a\nPetition, if Way open, to be presented to the Legislature; and what I\nhave to propose to this Meeting is, that some Friends may be named to\nwithdraw and look over it, and report whether they believe it suitable\nto be read in the Meeting; if they should think well of reading it, it\nwill remain for the Meeting, after hearing it, to consider, whether to\ntake any farther Notice of it at a Meeting or not.\" After a short\nConference some Friends went out, and, looking over it, expressed their\nWillingness to have it read; which being done, many expressed their\nUnity with the Proposal; and some signified, that to have the Subjects\nof the Petition enlarged upon, and to be signed out of Meeting by such\nas were free, would be more suitable than to do it there: Though I\nexpected, at first, that if it was done it would be in that Way; yet,\nsuch was the Exercise of my Mind, that to move it in the hearing of\nFriends, when assembled, appeared to me as a Duty; for my Heart yearned\ntoward the Inhabitants of these Parts; believing that by this Trade\nthere had been an Increase of Inquietude amongst them, and a Way made\neasy for the spreading of a Spirit opposite to that Meekness and\nHumility, which is a sure Resting-place for the Soul: And that the\nContinuance of this Trade would not only render their Healing more\ndifficult, but increase their Malady.\n\nHaving thus far proceeded, I felt easy to leave the Essay among Friends,\nfor them to proceed in it as they believed best. And now an Exercise\nrevived on my Mind in Relation to Lotteries, which were common in those\nParts: I had once moved it in a former Sitting of this Meeting, when\nArguments were used in Favour of Friends being held excused who were\nonly concerned in such Lotteries as were agreeable to Law: And now, on\nmoving it again, it was opposed as before; but the Hearts of some solid\nFriends appeared to be united to discourage the Practice amongst their\nMembers; and the Matter was zealously handled by some on both Sides. In\nthis Debate it appeared very clear to me, that the Spirit of Lotteries\nwas a Spirit of Selfishness, which tended to Confusion and Darkness of\nUnderstanding; and that pleading for it in our Meetings, set apart for\nthe Lord's Work, was not right: And, in the Heat of Zeal, I once made\nReply to what an ancient Friend said, though when I sat down, I saw that\nmy Words were not enough seasoned with Charity; and, after this, I spake\nno more on the Subject. At length a Minute was made; a Copy of which was\nagreed to be sent to their several Quarterly-meetings, inciting Friends\nto labour to discourage the Practice amongst all professing with us.\n\nSome Time after this Minute was made, I, remaining uneasy with the\nManner of my speaking to the ancient Friend, could not see my Way clear\nto conceal my Uneasiness, but was concerned that I might say nothing to\nweaken the Cause in which I had laboured; and then, after some close\nExercise and hearty Repentance, for that I had not attended closely to\nthe safe Guide, I stood up, and reciting the Passage, acquainted\nFriends, that, though I durst not go from what I had said as to the\nMatter, yet I was uneasy with the Manner of my speaking, as believing\nmilder Language would have been better. As this was uttered in some\nDegree of creaturely Abasement, it appeared to have a good Savour\namongst us, after a warm Debate.\n\nThe Yearly-meeting being now over, there yet remained on my Mind a\nsecret, though heavy, Exercise in regard to some leading active Members\nabout _Newport_, being in the Practice of Slave-keeping. This I\nmentioned to two ancient Friends, who came out of the Country, and\nproposed to them, if Way opened, to have some Conversation with those\nFriends: And, thereupon, one of those Country Friends and I consulted\none of the most noted Elders who had Slaves; and he, in a respectful\nManner, encouraged me to proceed to clear myself of what lay upon me.\nNow I had, near the Beginning of the Yearly-meeting, a private\nConference with this said Elder and his Wife concerning theirs; so that\nthe Way seemed clear to me to advise with him about the Manner of\nproceeding: I told him, I was free to have a Conference with them all\ntogether in a private House; or, if he thought they would take it unkind\nto be asked to come together, and to be spoke with one in the hearing of\nanother, I was free to spend some Time among them, and visit them all in\ntheir own Houses: He expressed his Liking to the first Proposal, not\ndoubting their Willingness to come together: And, as I proposed a Visit\nto only Ministers, Elders, and Overseers, he named some others, who he\ndesired might be present also: And, as a careful Messenger was wanted\nto acquaint them in a proper Manner, he offered to go to all their\nHouses to open the Matter to them; and did so. About the eighth Hour,\nthe next Morning, we met in the Meeting-house Chamber, and the\nlast-mentioned Country Friend, also my Companion, and JOHN STORER, with\nus; when, after a short Time of Retirement, I acquainted them with the\nSteps I had taken in procuring that Meeting, and opened the Concern I\nwas under; and so we proceeded to a free Conference upon the Subject. My\nExercise was heavy, and I was deeply bowed in Spirit before the Lord,\nwho was pleased to favour us with the seasoning Virtue of Truth, which\nwrought a Tenderness amongst us; and the Subject was mutually handled in\na calm and peaceable Spirit: And, at length, feeling my Mind released\nfrom that Burthen which I had been under, I took my Leave of them, in a\ngood Degree of Satisfaction; and, by the Tenderness they manifested in\nRegard to the Practice, and the Concern several of them expressed in\nRelation to the Manner of disposing of their Negroes after their\nDecease, I believed that a good Exercise was spreading amongst them; and\nI am humbly thankful to God, who supported my Mind, and preserved me in\na good Degree of Resignation through these Trials.\n\nThou, who sometimes travellest in the Work of the Ministry, art made\nvery welcome by thy Friends, and seest many Tokens of their\nSatisfaction, in having thee for their Guest, it is good for thee to\ndwell deep, that thou mayst feel and understand the Spirits of People:\nIf we believe Truth points towards a Conference on some Subjects, in a\nprivate Way, it is needful for us to take heed that their Kindness,\ntheir Freedom, and Affability, do not hinder us from the Lord's Work. I\nhave seen that, in the midst of Kindness and smooth Conduct, to speak\nclose and home to them who entertain us, on Points that relate to their\noutward Interest, is hard Labour; and sometimes, when I have felt Truth\nlead toward it, I have found myself disqualified by a superficial\nFriendship; and as the Sense thereof hath abased me, and my Cries have\nbeen to the Lord, so I have been humbled and made content to appear\nweak, or as a Fool for his Sake; and thus a Door hath opened to enter\nupon it. To attempt to do the Lord's Work in our own Way, and to speak\nof that which is the Burthen of the Word in a Way easy to the natural\nPart, doth not reach the Bottom of the Disorder. To see the Failings of\nour Friends and think hard of them, without opening that which we ought\nto open, and still carry a Face of Friendship; this tends to undermine\nthe Foundation of true Unity.\n\nThe Office of a Minister of Christ is weighty; and they, who go forth as\nWatchmen, had need to be steadily on their Guard against the Snares of\nProsperity and an outside Friendship.\n\nAfter the Yearly-meeting, we were at Meetings at _New-Town_, _Cushnet_,\n_Long-Plain_, _Rochester_, and _Dartmouth_: From thence we sailed for\n_Nantucket_, in Company with ANN GAUNT and MERCY REDMAN, and several\nother Friends: The Wind being slack, we only reached _Tarpawling-Cove_\nthe first Day; where, going on Shore, we found Room in a Publick-house,\nand Beds for a few of us, the rest sleeping on the Floor: We went on\nboard again about Break of Day; and, though the Wind was small, we were\nfavoured to come within about four Miles of _Nantucket_; and then, about\nten of us getting into our Boat, we rowed to the Harbour before dark;\nwhereupon a large Boat, going off, brought in the rest of the Passengers\nabout Midnight: The next Day but one was their Yearly-meeting, which\nheld four Days; the last of which was their Monthly-meeting for\nBusiness. We had a laborious Time amongst them: Our Minds were closely\nexercised, and I believe it was a Time of great Searching of Heart: The\nlonger I was on the Island, the more I became sensible that there was a\nconsiderable Number of valuable Friends there, though an evil Spirit,\ntending to Strife, had been at Work amongst them: I was cautious of\nmaking any Visits, but as my Mind was particularly drawn to them; and in\nthat Way we had some Sittings in Friends Houses, where the heavenly Wing\nwas, at Times, spread over us, to our mutual Comfort.\n\nMy beloved Companion had very acceptable Service on this Island.\n\nWhen Meeting was over, we all agreed to sail the next Day, if the\nWeather was suitable and we well; and, being called up the latter Part\nof the Night, we went on board a Vessel, being in all about fifty; but,\nthe Wind changing, the Seamen thought best to stay in the Harbour till\nit altered; so we returned on Shore; and, feeling clear as to any\nfarther Visits, I spent my Time in our Chamber chiefly alone; and, after\nsome Hours, my Heart being filled with the Spirit of Supplication, my\nPrayers and Tears were poured out, before my heavenly Father, for his\nHelp and Instruction in the manifold Difficulties which attended me in\nLife: And, while I was waiting upon the Lord, there came a Messenger\nfrom the Women Friends, who lodged at another House, desiring to confer\nwith us about appointing a Meeting, which to me appeared weighty, as we\nhad been at so many before; but, after a short Conference, and advising\nwith some elderly Friends, a Meeting was appointed, in which the Friend,\nwho first moved it, and who had been much shut up before, was largely\nopened in the Love of the Gospel: And the next Morning, about Break of\nDay, going again on board the Vessel, we reached _Falmouth_ on the Main\nbefore Night; where our Horses being brought, we proceeded toward\n_Sandwich_ Quarterly-meeting.\n\nBeing two Days in going to _Nantucket_, and having been there once\nbefore, I observed many Shoals in their Bay, which make Sailing more\ndangerous, especially in stormy Nights; also, that a great Shoal, which\nencloses their Harbour, prevents their going in with Sloops, except when\nthe Tide is up; waiting without which, for the Rising of the Tide, is\nsometimes hazardous in Storms; waiting within, they sometimes miss a\nfair Wind. I took Notice, that on that small Island was a great Number\nof Inhabitants, and the Soil not very fertile; the Timber so gone, that\nfor Vessels, Fences, and Firewood, they depend chiefly on the buying\nfrom the Main; the Cost whereof, with most of their other Expences, they\ndepend principally upon the Whale-fishery to answer. I considered, that\nas Towns grew larger, and Lands near navigable Waters more cleared,\nTimber and Wood require more Labour to get it: I understood that the\nWhales being much hunted, and sometimes wounded and not killed, grew\nmore shy and difficult to come at: I considered that the Formation of\nthe Earth, the Seas, the Islands, Bays, and Rivers, the Motions of the\nWinds and great Waters, which cause Bars and Shoals in particular\nPlaces, were all the Works of him who is perfect Wisdom and Goodness;\nand, as People attend to his heavenly Instruction, and put their Trust\nin him, he provides for them in all Parts where he gives them a Being.\nAnd as, in this Visit to these People, I felt a strong Desire for their\nfirm Establishment on the sure Foundation, besides what was said more\npublickly, I was concerned to speak with the Women Friends, in their\nMonthly-meeting of Business, many being present; and, in the fresh\nSpring of pure Love, to open before them the Advantage, both inward and\noutward, of attending singly to the Guidance of the Holy Spirit, and\ntherein to educate their Children in true Humility, and the Disuse of\nall Superfluities, reminding them of the Difficulties their Husbands and\nSons were frequently exposed to at Sea; and that, the more plain and\nsimple their Way of Living was, the less Need of running great Hazards\nto support them in it; encouraging the young Women in their neat decent\nWay of attending themselves on the Affairs of the House; shewing, as the\nWay opened, that, where People were truly humble, used themselves to\nBusiness, and were content with a plain Way of Life, it had ever been\nattended with more true Peace and Calmness of Mind, than they have had\nwho, aspiring to Greatness and outward Shew, have grasped hard for an\nIncome to support themselves in it: And, as I observed they had few or\nno Slaves amongst them, I had to encourage them to be content without\nthem; making mention of the numerous Troubles and Vexations which\nfrequently attend the Minds of People who depend on Slaves to do their\nLabour.\n\nWe attended the Quarterly-meeting at _Sandwich_, in Company with ANN\nGAUNT and MERCY REDMAN, which was preceded by a Monthly-meeting; and in\nthe whole held three Days: We were various Ways exercised amongst them,\nin Gospel-love, according to the several Gifts bestowed on us; and were,\nat Times, overshadowed with the Virtue of Truth, to the Comfort of the\nSincere, and stirring up of the Negligent. Here we parted with ANN and\nMERCY, and went to _Rhode-Island_, taking one Meeting in our Way, which\nwas a satisfactory Time; and, reaching _Newport_ the Evening before\ntheir Quarterly-meeting, we attended it; and, after that, had a Meeting\nwith our young People, separated from those of other Societies. We went\nthrough much Labour in this Town; and now, in taking Leave of it, though\nI felt close inward Exercise to the last, I found inward Peace; and was,\nin some Degree, comforted, in a Belief, that a good Number remain in\nthat Place, who retain a Sense of Truth; and that there are some young\nPeople attentive to the Voice of the heavenly Shepherd. The last\nMeeting, in which Friends from the several Parts of the Quarter came\ntogether, was a select Meeting; and, through the renewed Manifestation\nof the Father's Love, the Hearts of the Sincere were united together.\n\nThat Poverty of Spirit, and inward Weakness, with which I was much tried\nthe fore Part of this Journey, have of late appeared to me as a\nDispensation of Kindness. Appointing Meetings never appeared more\nweighty to me; and I was led into a deep Search, whether in all Things\nmy Mind was resigned to the Will of God; often querying with myself,\nwhat should be the Cause of such inward Poverty; and greatly desired,\nthat no secret Reserve in my Heart might hinder my Access to the divine\nFountain. In these humbling Times I was made watchful, and excited to\nattend the secret Movings of the heavenly Principle in my Mind, which\nprepared the Way to some Duties, that in more easy and prosperous Times,\nas to the Outward, I believe I should have been in danger of omitting.\n\nFrom _Newport_ we went to _Greenwich_, _Shanticut_, and _Warwick_; and\nwere helped to labour amongst Friends in the Love of our gracious\nRedeemer: And then, accompanied by our Friend, JOHN CASEY, from\n_Newport_, we rode through _Connecticut_ to _Oblong_, visited the\nMeetings of Friends in those Parts, and thence proceeded to the\nQuarterly-meeting at _Ryewoods_; and, through the gracious Extendings of\ndivine Help, had some seasoning Opportunities in those Places: So we\nvisited Friends at _New York_ and _Flushing_; and thence to _Rahaway_:\nAnd here, our Roads parting, I took Leave of my beloved Companion, and\ntrue Yoke-mate, SAMUEL EASTBURN; and reached Home on the tenth Day of\nthe eighth Month, 1760, where I found my Family well: And, for the\nFavours and Protection of the Lord, both inward and outward, extended to\nme in this Journey, my Heart is humbled in grateful Acknowledgments; and\nI find renewed Desires to dwell and walk in Resignedness before him.\n\n\nCHAPTER VIII\n\n    _His Visits to_ Pennsylvania, Shrewsbury, _and_ Squan_--His\n    publishing the second Part of Considerations on keeping\n    Negroes_--_His visiting the Families of Friends of_ Ancocas _and_\n    Mount-Holly _Meetings_--_His Visits to the_ Indians _at_ Wehaloosing\n    _on the River_ Susquehannah\n\nHaving felt my Mind drawn toward a Visit to a few Meetings in\n_Pennsylvania_, I was very desirous to be rightly instructed as to the\nTime of setting off: And, on the tenth Day of the fifth Month, 1761,\nbeing the first Day of the Week, I went to _Haddonfield_ Meeting,\nconcluding to seek for heavenly Instruction, and come Home, or go on, as\nI might then believe best for me; and there, through the springing up of\npure Love, I felt Encouragement, and so crossed the River. In this Visit\nI was at two Quarterly and three Monthly-meetings; and, in the Love of\nTruth, felt my Way open to labour with some noted Friends, who kept\nNegroes: And, as I was favoured to keep to the Root, and endeavoured to\ndischarge what I believed was required of me, I found inward Peace\ntherein, from Time to Time, and Thankfulness of Heart to the Lord, who\nwas graciously pleased to be a Guide to me.\n\nIn the eighth Month, 1761, having felt Drawings in my Mind to visit\nFriends in and about _Shrewsbury_, I went there, and was at their\nMonthly-meeting, and their First-day-meeting; and had a Meeting at\n_Squan_, and another at _Squankum_; and, as Way opened, had Conversation\nwith some noted Friends concerning their Slaves: And I returned Home in\na thankful Sense of the Goodness of the Lord.\n\nFrom the Care I felt growing in me some Years, I wrote Considerations on\nkeeping Negroes, Part the Second; which was printed this Year, 1762.\nWhen the Overseers of the Press had done with it, they offered to get a\nNumber printed, to be paid for out of the Yearly-meeting Stock, and to\nbe given away; but I being most easy to publish them at my own Expence,\nand, offering my Reasons, they appeared satisfied.\n\nThis Stock is the Contribution of the Members of our religious Society\nin general; amongst whom are some who keep Negroes; and, being inclined\nto continue them in Slavery, are not likely to be satisfied with those\nBooks being spread amongst a People where many of the Slaves are taught\nto read, and especially not at their Expence; and such often, receiving\nthem as a Gift, conceal them: But as they, who make a Purchase,\ngenerally buy that which they have a Mind for, I believe it best to sell\nthem; expecting, by that Means, they would more generally be read with\nAttention. Advertisements being signed by Order of the Overseers of the\nPress, directed to be read in Monthly-meetings of Business within our\nown Yearly-meeting, informing where the Books were, and that the Price\nwas no more than the Cost of printing and binding them, many were taken\noff in our Parts; some I sent to _Virginia_, some to _New-York_, and\nsome to _Newport_, to my Acquaintance there; and some I kept, expecting\nto give Part of them away, where there appeared a Prospect of Service.\n\nIn my Youth I was used to hard Labour; and, though I was middling\nhealthy, yet my Nature was not fitted to endure so much as many others:\nSo that, being often weary, I was prepared to sympathize with those\nwhose Circumstances in Life, as free Men, required constant Labour to\nanswer the Demands of their Creditors, and with others under Oppression.\nIn the Uneasiness of Body, which I have many Times felt by too much\nLabour, not as a forced but as a voluntary Oppression, I have often been\nexcited to think on the original Cause of that Oppression, which is\nimposed on many in the World: And, the latter Part of the Time wherein I\nlaboured on our Plantation, my Heart, through the fresh Visitations of\nheavenly Love, being often tender, and my leisure Time frequently spent\nin reading the Life and Doctrines of our blessed Redeemer, the Account\nof the Sufferings of Martyrs, and the History of the first Rise of our\nSociety, a Belief was gradually settled in my Mind, that if such, as had\ngreat Estates, generally lived in that Humility and Plainness which\nbelongs to a _Christian_ Life, and laid much easier Rents and Interests\non their Lands and Monies, and thus led the Way to a right Use of\nThings, so great a Number of People might be employed in Things useful,\nthat Labour, both for Men and other Creatures, would need to be no more\nthan an agreeable Employ; and divers Branches of Business, which serve\nchiefly to please the natural Inclinations of our Minds, and which, at\npresent, seem necessary to circulate that Wealth which some gather,\nmight, in this Way of pure Wisdom, be discontinued. And, as I have thus\nconsidered these Things, a Query, at Times, hath arisen: Do I, in all my\nProceedings, keep to that Use of Things which is agreeable to universal\nRighteousness? And then there hath some Degree of Sadness, at Times,\ncome over me, for that I accustomed myself to some Things, which\noccasioned more Labour than I believe divine Wisdom intends for us.\n\nFrom my early Acquaintance with Truth I have often felt an inward\nDistress, occasioned by the striving of a Spirit in me against the\nOperation of the heavenly Principle; and in this Circumstance have been\naffected with a Sense of my own Wretchedness, and in a mourning\nCondition felt earnest Longing for that divine Help, which brings the\nSoul into true Liberty; and sometimes, in this State, retiring into\nprivate Places, the Spirit of Supplication hath been given me; and,\nunder a heavenly Covering, I have asked my gracious Father to give me a\nHeart in all Things resigned to the Direction of his Wisdom.\n\nIn visiting People of Note in the Society who had Slaves, and labouring\nwith them in brotherly Love on that Account, I have seen, and the Sight\nhath affected me, that a Conformity to some Customs, distinguishable\nfrom pure Wisdom, has entangled many; and the Desire of Gain, to support\nthese Customs, greatly opposed the Work of Truth: And sometimes, when\nthe Prospect of the Work before me has been such, that in Bowedness of\nSpirit, I have been drawn into retired Places, and besought the Lord\nwith Tears that he would take me wholly under his Direction, and shew me\nthe Way in which I ought to walk, it hath revived, with Strength of\nConviction, that, if I would be his faithful Servant, I must, in all\nThings, attend to his Wisdom, and be teachable; and so cease from all\nCustoms contrary thereto, however used amongst religious People.\n\nAs he is the Perfection of Power, of Wisdom, and of Goodness, so, I\nbelieve, he hath provided, that so much Labour shall be necessary for\nMen's Support, in this World, as would, being rightly divided, be a\nsuitable Employment of their Time; and that we cannot go into\nSuperfluities, or grasp after Wealth in a Way contrary to his Wisdom,\nwithout having Connection with some Degree of Oppression, and with that\nSpirit which leads to Self-exaltation and Strife, and which frequently\nbrings Calamities on Countries, by Parties contending about their\nClaims.\n\nIn the eleventh Month of the Year 1762, feeling an Engagement of Mind to\nvisit some Families in _Mansfield_. I joined my beloved Friend, BENJAMIN\nJONES, and we spent a few Days together in that Service. In the second\nMonth, 1763, I joined in Company with ELIZABETH SMITH and MARY NOBLE on\na Visit to the Families of Friends at _Ancocas_; in both which Visits,\nthrough the baptizing Power of Truth, the sincere Labourers were often\ncomforted, and the Hearts of Friends opened to receive us. And, in the\nfourth Month following, I accompanied some Friends in a Visit to the\nFamilies of Friends in _Mount-Holly_, in which my Mind was often drawn\ninto an inward Awfulness, wherein strong Desires were raised for the\neverlasting Welfare of my Fellow-creatures; and, through the Kindness of\nour heavenly Father, our Hearts were, at Times, enlarged, and Friends\ninvited, in the Flowings of divine Love, to attend to that which would\nsettle them on the sure Foundation.\n\nHaving many Years felt Love in my Heart towards the Natives of this\nLand, who dwell far back in the Wilderness, whose Ancestors were the\nOwners and Possessors of the Land where we dwell; and who, for a very\nsmall Consideration, assigned their Inheritance to us; and, being at\n_Philadelphia_, in the eighth Month, 1761, in a Visit to some Friends\nwho had Slaves, I fell in Company with some of those Natives who lived\non the East Branch of the River _Susquehannah_, at an _Indian_ Town\ncalled _Wehaloosing_, two hundred Miles from _Philadelphia_, and, in\nConversation with them by an Interpreter, as also by Observations on\ntheir Countenances and Conduct, I believed some of them were measurably\nacquainted with that divine Power which subjects the rough and forward\nWill of the Creature: And, at Times, I felt inward Drawings toward a\nVisit to that Place, of which I told none except my dear Wife, until it\ncame to some Ripeness; and, then, in the Winter, 1762, I laid it before\nFriends at our Monthly and Quarterly, and afterwards at our general\nSpring-meeting; and, having the Unity of Friends, and being thoughtful\nabout an _Indian_ Pilot, there came a Man and three Women from a little\nbeyond that Town to _Philadelphia_ on Business: And I, being informed\nthereof by Letter, met them in Town in the fifth Month, 1763; and, after\nsome Conversation, finding they were sober People, I, by the Concurrence\nof Friends in that Place, agreed to join with them as Companions in\ntheir Return; and, on the seventh Day of the sixth Month following, we\nappointed to meet at SAMUEL FOULK'S, at _Richland_ in _Bucks_ County.\nNow, as this Visit felt weighty, and was performed at a Time when\nTravelling appeared perilous, so the Dispensations of divine Providence,\nin preparing my Mind for it, have been memorable; and I believe it good\nfor me to give some Hints thereof.\n\nAfter I had given up to go, the Thoughts of the Journey were often\nattended with unusual Sadness; in which Times my Heart was frequently\nturned to the Lord with inward Breathings for his heavenly Support, that\nI might not fail to follow him wheresoever he might lead me: And, being\nat our Youths Meeting at _Chesterfield_, about a Week before the Time I\nexpected to set off, I was there led to speak on that Prayer of our\nRedeemer to his Father: \"I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of\nthe World, but that thou shouldest keep them from the Evil.\" And, in\nattending to the pure Openings of Truth, I had to mention what he\nelsewhere said to his Father; \"I know that thou hearest me at all\nTimes:\" So that, as some of his Followers kept their Places, and as his\nPrayer was granted, it followed necessarily that they were kept from\nEvil: And, as some of those met with great Hardships and Afflictions in\nthis World, and at last suffered Death by cruel Men, it appears, that\nwhatsoever befals Men while they live in pure Obedience to God, as it\ncertainly works for their Good, so it may not be considered an Evil as\nif relates to them. As I spake on this Subject, my Heart was much\ntendered, and great Awfulness came over me; and then, on the first Day\nof the next Week, being at our own Afternoon-meeting, and my Heart being\nenlarged in Love, I was led to speak on the Care and Protection of the\nLord over his People, and to make mention of that Passage, where a Band\nof _Assyrians_ endeavouring to take captive the Prophet, were\ndisappointed; and how the Psalmist said, \"The Angel of the Lord\nencampeth round about them that fear him.\" And thus, in true Love and\nTenderness, I parted from Friends, expecting the next Morning, to\nproceed on my Journey, and, being weary, went early to Bed; and, after I\nhad been asleep a short Time, I was awaked by a Man calling at my Door;\nand, arising, was invited to meet some Friends at a Publick-house in our\nTown, who came from _Philadelphia_ so late, that Friends were generally\ngone to Bed: These Friends informed me, that an Express arrived the last\nMorning from _Pittsburgh_, and brought News that the _Indians_ had taken\na Fort from the _English_ Westward, and slain and scalped _English_\nPeople in divers Places, some near the said _Pittsburgh_; and that some\nelderly Friends in _Philadelphia_, knowing the Time of my expecting to\nset off, had conferred together, and thought good to inform me of these\nThings, before I left Home, that I might consider them, and proceed as I\nbelieved best; so I, going again to Bed, told not my Wife till Morning.\nMy Heart was turned to the Lord for his heavenly Instruction; and it was\nan humbling Time to me. When I told my dear Wife, she appeared to be\ndeeply concerned about it; but, in a few Hours Time, my Mind became\nsettled in a Belief, that it was my Duty to proceed on my Journey; and\nshe bore it with a good Degree of Resignation. In this Conflict of\nSpirit, there were great Searchings of Heart, and strong Cries to the\nLord, that no Motion might be, in the least Degree, attended to, but\nthat of the pure Spirit of Truth.\n\nThe Subjects before-mentioned, on which I had so lately spoken in\npublick, were now very fresh before me; and I was brought inwardly to\ncommit myself to the Lord, to be disposed of as he saw best. So I took\nLeave of my Family and Neighbours, in much Bowedness of Spirit, and went\nto our Monthly-meeting at _Burlington_; and, after taking Leave of\nFriends there, I crossed the River, accompanied by my Friends, ISRAEL\nand JOHN PEMBERTON; and, parting the next Morning with ISRAEL, JOHN bore\nme Company to SAMUEL FOULK'S, where I met the before-mentioned\n_Indians_, and we were glad to see each other: Here my Friend, BENJAMIN\nPARVIN, met me, and proposed joining as a Companion, we having passed\nsome Letters before on the Subject; and now, on his Account, I had a\nsharp Trial; for, as the Journey appeared perilous, I thought, if he\nwent chiefly to bear me Company, and we should be taken Captive, my\nhaving been the Means of drawing him into these Difficulties would add\nto my own Afflictions: So I told him my Mind freely, and let him know\nthat I was resigned to go alone; but, after all, if he really believed\nit to be his Duty to go on, I believed his Company would be very\ncomfortable to me: It was indeed a Time of deep Exercise, and BENJAMIN\nappeared to be so fastened to the Visit, that he could not be easy to\nleave me; so we went on, accompanied by our Friends, JOHN PEMBERTON, and\nWILLIAM LIGHTFOOT of _Pikeland_, and lodged at _Bethlehem_; and there,\nparting with JOHN, WILLIAM and we went forward on the ninth Day of the\nsixth Month, and got Lodging on the Floor of a House, about five Miles\nfrom _Fort-Allen_: Here we parted with WILLIAM; and at this Place we\nmet with an _Indian_ Trader, lately come from _Wioming_; and, in\nConversation with him, I perceived that many white People do often sell\nRum to the _Indians_, which, I believe, is a great Evil; first, they\nbeing thereby deprived of the Use of their Reason, and their Spirits\nviolently agitated, Quarrels often arise, which end in Mischief; and the\nBitterness and Resentments, occasioned hereby, are frequently of long\nContinuance; Again, their Skins and Furs, gotten through much Fatigue\nand hard Travels in Hunting, with which they intended to buy Clothing,\nwhen they become intoxicated, they often sell at a low Rate for more\nRum; and afterward, when they suffer for want of the Necessaries of\nLife, are angry with those who, for the Sake of Gain, took the Advantage\nof their Weakness: Of this their Chiefs have often complained, at their\nTreaties with the _English_. Where cunning People pass Counterfeits, and\nimpose that on others which is good for nothing, it is considered as a\nWickedness; but, to sell that to People which we know does them Harm,\nand which often works their Ruin, for the Sake of Gain, manifests a\nhardened and corrupt Heart, and is an Evil, which demands the Care of\nall true Lovers of Virtue to suppress: And while my Mind, this Evening,\nwas thus employed, I also remembered, that the People on the Frontiers,\namong whom this Evil is too common, are often poor; who venture to the\nOutside of a Colony, that they may live more independent on such as are\nwealthy, who often set high Rents on their Land: Being renewedly\nconfirmed in a Belief, that, if all our Inhabitants lived according to\nsound Wisdom, labouring to promote universal Love and Righteousness, and\nceased from every inordinate Desire after Wealth, and from all Customs\nwhich are tinctured with Luxury, the Way would be easy for our\nInhabitants, though much more numerous than at present, to live\ncomfortably on honest Employments, without having that Temptation they\nare often under of being drawn into Schemes to make Settlements on Lands\nwhich have not been purchased of the _Indians_, or of applying to that\nwicked Practice of selling Rum to them.\n\nOn the tenth Day of the Month we set out early in the Morning, and\ncrossed the Western Branch of _Delaware_, called the _Great Lehie_, near\n_Fort-Allen_; the Water being high, we went over in a Canoe: Here we met\nan _Indian_, and had some friendly Conversation with him, and gave him\nsome Biscuit; and he having killed a Deer, gave the _Indians_ with us\nsome of it: Then, after travelling some Miles, we met several _Indian_\nMen and Women with a Cow and Horse, and some Household Goods, who were\nlately come from their Dwelling at _Wioming_, and going to settle at\nanother Place; we made them some small Presents, and, some of them\nunderstanding _English_, I told them my Motive in coming into their\nCountry, with which they appeared satisfied: And, one of our Guides\ntalking a While with an ancient Woman concerning us, the poor old Woman\ncame to my Companion and me, and took her Leave of us with an Appearance\nof sincere Affection. So, going on, we pitched our Tent near the Banks\nof the same River, having laboured hard in crossing some of those\nMountains called the Blue-Ridge; and, by the Roughness of the Stones,\nand the Cavities between them, and the Steepness of the Hills, it\nappeared dangerous; but we were preserved in Safety, through the\nKindness of him, whose Works in those mountainous Desarts appeared\nawful: Toward whom my Heart was turned during this Day's Travel.\n\nNear our Tent, on the Sides of large Trees peeled for that Purpose, were\nvarious Representations of Men going to, and returning from the Wars,\nand of some killed in Battle; this being a Path heretofore used by\nWarriours: And, as I walked about viewing those _Indian_ Histories,\nwhich were painted mostly in red, but some in black; and thinking on the\ninnumerable Afflictions which the proud, fierce, Spirit produceth in the\nWorld; thinking on the Toils and Fatigues of Warriours, travelling over\nMountains and Desarts; thinking on their Miseries and Distresses when\nwounded far from Home by their Enemies; and of their Bruises and great\nWeariness in chasing one another over the Rocks and Mountains; and of\ntheir restless, unquiet, State of Mind, who live in this Spirit; and of\nthe Hatred which mutually grows up in the Minds of the Children of those\nNations engaged in War with each other: During these Meditations, the\nDesire to cherish the Spirit of Love and Peace amongst these People\narose very fresh in me. This was the first Night that we lodged in the\nWoods; and, being wet with travelling in the Rain, the Ground, our Tent,\nand the Bushes, which we proposed to lay under our Blankets, being also\nwet, all looked discouraging; but I believed, that it was the Lord who\nhad thus far brought me forward, and that he would dispose of me as he\nsaw good; and therein I felt easy: So we kindled a Fire, with our Tent\nopen to it; and, with some Bushes next the Ground, and then our\nBlankets, we made our Bed, and, lying down, got some Sleep; and, in the\nMorning, feeling a little unwell, I went into the River; the Water was\ncold, but soon after I felt fresh and well.\n\nThe eleventh Day of the sixth Month, the Bushes being wet, we tarried in\nour Tent till about eight o'Clock; when, going on, we crossed a high\nMountain supposed to be upwards of four Miles over; the Steepness on the\nNorth Side exceeding all the others. We also crossed two Swamps, and, it\nraining near Night, we pitched our Tent and lodged.\n\nAbout Noon, on our Way, we were overtaken by one of the _Moravian_\nBrethren, going to _Wehaloosing_, and an _Indian_ Man with him, who\ncould talk _English_; and we, being together while our Horses ate Grass,\nhad some friendly Conversation; but they, travelling faster than we,\nsoon left us. This _Moravian_, I understood, had spent some Time this\nSpring at _Wehaloosing_, and was, by some of the _Indians_, invited to\ncome again.\n\nThe twelfth Day of the sixth Month, and first of the Week, it being a\nrainy Day, we continued in our Tent; and here I was led to think on the\nNature of the Exercise which hath attended me: Love was the first\nMotion, and thence a Concern arose to spend some Time with the\n_Indians_, that I might feel and understand their Life, and the Spirit\nthey live in, if haply I might receive some Instruction from them, or\nthey be in any Degree helped forward by my following the Leadings of\nTruth amongst them: And, as it pleased the Lord to make Way for my going\nat a Time when the Troubles of War were increasing, and when, by Reason\nof much wet Weather, Travelling was more difficult than usual at that\nSeason, I looked upon it as a more favourable Opportunity to season my\nMind, and bring me into a nearer Sympathy with them: And, as mine Eye\nwas to the great Father of Mercies, humbly desiring to learn what his\nWill was concerning me, I was made quiet and content.\n\nOur Guide's Horse, though hoppled, went away in the Night; after finding\nour own, and searching some Time for him, his Footsteps were discovered\nin the Path going back again, whereupon my kind Companion went off in\nthe Rain, and, about seven Hours after, returned with him: And here we\nlodged again; tying up our Horses before we went to Bed, and loosing\nthem to feed about Break of Day.\n\nOn the thirteenth Day of the sixth Month, the Sun appearing, we set\nforward; and, as I rode over the barren Hills, my Meditations were on\nthe Alterations of the Circumstances of the Natives of this Land since\nthe Coming in of the _English_. The Lands near the Sea are conveniently\nsituated for fishing; the Lands near the Rivers, where the Tides flow,\nand some above, are in many Places fertile, and not mountainous; while\nthe Running of the Tides makes passing up and down easy with any Kind of\nTraffic. Those Natives have, in some Places, for trifling\nConsiderations, sold their Inheritance so favourably situated; and, in\nother Places, been driven back by superior Force: So that in many\nPlaces, as their Way of clothing themselves is now altered from what it\nwas, and they, far remote from us, have to pass over Mountains, Swamps,\nand barren Desarts, Travelling is very troublesome, in bringing their\nSkins and Furs to trade with us.\n\nBy the extending of _English_ Settlements, and partly by _English_\nHunters, the wild Beasts, they chiefly depend on for a Subsistance, are\nnot so plenty as they were; and People too often, for the Sake of Gain,\nopen a Door for them to waste their Skins and Furs, in purchasing a\nLiquor which tends to the Ruin of them and their Families.\n\nMy own Will and Desires were now very much broken, and my Heart, with\nmuch Earnestness, turned to the Lord, to whom alone I looked for Help in\nthe Dangers before me. I had a Prospect of the _English_ along the\nCoast, for upwards of nine hundred Miles, where I had travelled; and the\nfavourable Situation of the _English_, and the Difficulties attending\nthe Natives in many Places, and the Negroes, were open before me; and a\nweighty and heavenly Care came over my Mind, and Love filled my Heart\ntoward all Mankind, in which I felt a strong Engagement, that we might\nbe obedient to the Lord, while, in tender Mercies, he is yet calling to\nus; and so attend to pure universal Righteousness, as to give no just\nCause of Offence to the _Gentiles_, who do not profess _Christianity_,\nwhether the Blacks from _Africa_, or the native Inhabitants of this\nContinent: And here I was led into a close laborious Enquiry, whether I,\nas an Individual, kept clear from all Things which tended to stir up, or\nwere connected with Wars, either in this Land or _Africa_; and my Heart\nwas deeply concerned, that, in future, I might in all Things keep\nsteadily to the pure Truth, and live and walk in the Plainness and\nSimplicity of a sincere Follower of Christ. And, in this lonely Journey,\nI did, this Day, greatly bewail the Spreading of a wrong Spirit,\nbelieving, that the prosperous, convenient, Situation of the _English_,\nrequires a constant Attention to divine Love and Wisdom to guide and\nsupport us in a Way answerable to the Will of that good, gracious, and\nalmighty Being, who hath an equal Regard to all Mankind: And, here,\nLuxury and Covetousness, with the numerous Oppressions, and other Evils\nattending them, appeared very afflicting to me; and I felt in that which\nis immutable, that the Seeds of great Calamity and Desolation are sown\nand growing fast on this Continent: Nor have I Words sufficient to set\nforth that Longing I then felt, that we, who are placed along the Coast,\nand have tasted the Love and Goodness of God, might arise in his\nStrength; and, like faithful Messengers, labour to check the Growth of\nthese Seeds, that they may not ripen to the Ruin of our Posterity.\n\nWe reached the _Indian_ Settlement at _Wioming_; and here we were told,\nthat an _Indian_ Runner had been at that Place a Day or two before us,\nand brought News of the _Indians_ taking an _English_ Fort westward, and\ndestroying the People, and that they were endeavouring to take another;\nand also, that another _Indian_ Runner came there about the Middle of\nthe Night before we got there, who came from a Town about ten Miles\nabove _Wehaloosing_, and brought News, that some _Indian_ Warriours,\nfrom distant Parts, came to that Town with two _English_ Scalps, and\ntold the People, that it was War with the _English_.\n\nOur Guides took us to the House of a very ancient Man; and, soon after\nwe had put in our Baggage, there came a Man from another _Indian_ House\nsome Distance off; and I, perceiving there was a Man near the Door, went\nout; and, having a Tomahawk wrapped under his Matchcoat out of Sight, as\nI approached him, he took it in his Hand; I, however, went forward, and,\nspeaking to him in a friendly Way, perceived he understood some\n_English_: My Companion then coming out, we had some Talk with him\nconcerning the Nature of our Visit in these Parts; and then he going\ninto the House with us, and talking with our Guides, soon appeared\nfriendly, and sat down and smoked his Pipe. Though his taking his\nHatchet in his Hand, at the Instant I drew near to him, had a\ndisagreeable Appearance, I believe he had no other Intent than to be in\nReadiness in case any Violence was offered to him.\n\nHearing the News brought by these _Indian_ Runners, and being told by\nthe _Indians_ where we lodged, that what _Indians_ were about _Wioming_\nexpected, in a few Days, to move to some larger Towns, I thought that,\nto all outward Appearance, it was dangerous Travelling at this Time; and\nwas, after a hard Day's Journey, brought into a painful Exercise at\nNight, in which I had to trace back, and view over the Steps I had taken\nfrom my first Moving in the Visit; and though I had to bewail some\nWeakness which, at Times, had attended me, yet I could not find that I\nhad ever given way to a wilful Disobedience: And then, as I believed I\nhad, under a Sense of Duty, come thus far, I was now earnest in Spirit,\nbeseeching the Lord to shew me what I ought to do. In this great\nDistress I grew jealous of myself, lest the Desire of Reputation, as a\nMan firmly settled to persevere through Dangers, or the Fear of Disgrace\narising on my returning without performing the Visit, might have some\nPlace in me: Thus I lay, full of Thoughts, great Part of the Night,\nwhile my beloved Companion lay and slept by me; till the Lord, my\ngracious Father, who saw the Conflicts of my Soul, was pleased to give\nQuietness: Then I was again strengthened to commit my Life, and all\nThings relating thereto, into his heavenly Hands; and, getting a little\nSleep toward Day, when Morning came we arose.\n\nOn the fourteenth Day of the sixth Month, we sought out and visited all\nthe _Indians_ hereabout that we could meet with; they being chiefly in\none Place, about a Mile from where we lodged, in all perhaps twenty.\nHere I expressed the Care I had on my Mind for their Good; and told\nthem, that true Love had made me willing thus to leave my Family to come\nand see the _Indians_, and speak with them in their Houses. Some of them\nappeared kind and friendly. So we took our Leave of these _Indians_, and\nwent up the River _Susquehannah_, about three Miles, to the House of an\n_Indian_, called JACOB JANUARY, who had killed his Hog; and the Women\nwere making store of Bread, and preparing to move up the River. Here our\nPilots left their Canoe when they came down in the Spring, which lying\ndry, was leaky; so that we, being detained some Hours, had a good deal\nof friendly Conversation with the Family; and, eating Dinner with them,\nwe made them some small Presents. Then, putting our Baggage in the\nCanoe, some of them pushed slowly up the Stream, and the rest of us rode\nour Horses; and swimming them over a Creek, called _Lahawahamunk_, we\npitched our Tent a little above it, there being a Shower in the Evening:\nAnd, in a Sense of God's Goodness in helping me in my Distress,\nsustaining me under Trials, and inclining my Heart to trust in him, I\nlay down in an humble bowed Frame of Mind, and had a comfortable Night's\nLodging.\n\nOn the fifteenth Day of the sixth Month, we proceeded forward till the\nAfternoon; when, a Storm appearing, we met our Canoe at an appointed\nPlace; and, the Rain continuing, we stayed all Night, which was so\nheavy, that it beat through our Tent, and wet us and our Baggage.\n\nOn the sixteenth Day, we found, on our Way, abundance of Trees blown\ndown with the Storm the Day before; and had Occasion reverently to\nconsider the kind Dealings of the Lord, who provided a safe Place for us\nin a Valley, while this Storm continued. By the falling of abundance of\nTrees across our Path, we were much hindered, and in some Swamps our Way\nwas so stopped, that we got through with extreme Difficulty.\n\nI had this Day often to consider myself as a Sojourner in this World;\nand a Belief in the All-sufficiency of God to support his People in\ntheir Pilgrimage felt comfortable to me; and I was industriously\nemployed to get to a State of perfect Resignation.\n\nWe seldom saw our Canoe but at appointed Places, by reason of the Path\ngoing off from the River; and, this Afternoon, JOB CHILAWAY, an _Indian_\nfrom _Wehaloosing_, who talks good _English_, and is acquainted with\nseveral People in and about _Philadelphia_, met our People on the River;\nand, understanding where we expected to lodge, pushed back about six\nMiles, and came to us after Night; and in a While our own Canoe came, it\nbeing hard Work pushing up Stream. JOB told us, that an _Indian_ came in\nHaste to their Town yesterday, and told them, that three Warriours,\ncoming from some Distance, lodged in a Town above _Wehaloosing_ a few\nNights past; and that these three Men were going against the _English_\nat _Juniata_. JOB was going down the River to the Province-store at\n_Shamokin_. Though I was so far favoured with Health as to continue\ntravelling, yet, through the various Difficulties in our Journey, and\nthe different Way of living from what I had been used to, I grew sick;\nand the News of these Warriours being on their March so near us, and\nnot knowing whether we might not fall in with them, was a fresh Trial of\nmy Faith; and though, through the Strength of divine Love, I had several\nTimes been enabled to commit myself to the divine Disposal, I still\nfound the Want of my Strength to be renewed, that I might persevere\ntherein; and my Cries for Help were put up to the Lord, who, in great\nMercy, gave me a resigned Heart, in which I found Quietness.\n\nOn the seventeenth Day, parting from JOB CHILAWAY, we went on, and\nreached _Wehaloosing_ about the Middle of the Afternoon, and the first\n_Indian_ that we saw was a Woman of a modest Countenance, with a Bible,\nwho first spake to our Guide; and then, with a harmonious Voice,\nexpressed her Gladness at seeing us, having before heard of our Coming:\nThen, by the Direction of our Guide, we sat down on a Log; and he went\nto the Town, to tell the People we were come. My Companion and I sitting\nthus together, in a deep inward Stillness, the poor Woman came and sat\nnear us; and, great Awfulness coming over us, we rejoiced in a Sense of\nGod's Love manifested to our poor Souls. After a While, we heard a\nConkshell blow several Times, and then came JOHN CURTIS, and another\n_Indian_ Man, who kindly invited us into a House near the Town, where we\nfound, I suppose, about sixty People sitting in Silence; and, after\nsitting a short Time, I stood up, and in some Tenderness of Spirit\nacquainted them with the Nature of my Visit, and that a Concern for\ntheir Good had made me willing to come thus far to see them; all in a\nfew short Sentences, which some of them understanding interpreted to the\nothers, and there appeared Gladness amongst them. Then I shewed them my\nCertificate, which was explained to them; and the _Moravian_, who\novertook us on the Way, being now here, bade me welcome.\n\nOn the eighteenth Day: We rested ourselves this Forenoon; and the\n_Indians_, knowing that the _Moravian_ and I were of different religious\nSocieties, and as some of their People had encouraged him to come and\nstay a While with them, were, I believe, concerned that no Jarring or\nDiscord might be in their Meetings: And they, I suppose, having\nconferred together, acquainted me, that the People, at my Request,\nwould, at any Time, come together, and hold Meetings; and also told me,\nthat they expected the _Moravian_ would speak in their settled Meetings,\nwhich are commonly held Morning and near Evening. So I found Liberty in\nmy Heart to speak to the _Moravian_, and told him of the Care I felt on\nmy Mind for the Good of these People; and that I believed no ill Effects\nwould follow it, if I sometimes spake in their Meetings when Love\nengaged me thereto, without calling them together at Times when they did\nnot meet of course: Whereupon he expressed his Good-will toward my\nspeaking, at any Time, all that I found in my Heart to say: So, near\nEvening, I was at their Meeting, where the pure Gospel-love was felt, to\nthe tendering some of our Hearts; and the Interpreters, endeavouring to\nacquaint the People with what I said in short Sentences, found some\nDifficulty, as none of them were quite perfect in the _English_ and\n_Delaware_ Tongues; so they helped one another, and we laboured along,\ndivine Love attending: And afterwards, feeling my Mind covered with the\nSpirit of Prayer, I told the Interpreters that I found it in my Heart to\npray to God, and believed, if I prayed aright, he would hear me, and\nexpressed my Willingness for them to omit interpreting; so our Meeting\nended with a Degree of divine Love: And, before the People went out, I\nobserved PAPUNEHANG (the Man who had been zealous in labouring for a\nReformation in that Town, being then very tender) spoke to one of the\nInterpreters; and I was afterwards told that he said in Substance as\nfollows: \"I love to feel where Words come from.\"\n\nOn the nineteenth Day, and first of the Week: This Morning, in the\nMeeting, the _Indian_, who came with the _Moravian_, being also a Member\nof that Society, prayed; and then the _Moravian_ spake a short Time to\nthe People: And, in the Afternoon, they coming together, and my Heart\nbeing filled with a heavenly Care for their Good, I spake to them a\nWhile by Interpreters; but none of them being perfect in the Work, and\nI, feeling the Current of Love run strong, told the Interpreters, that I\nbelieved some of the People would understand me, and so I proceeded: In\nwhich Exercise I believe the Holy Ghost wrought on some Hearts to\nEdification, where all the Words were not understood, I looked upon it\nas a Time of divine Favour, and my Heart was tendered and truly thankful\nbefore the Lord; and, after I sat down, one of the Interpreters seemed\nspirited to give the _Indians_ the Substance of what I had said.\n\nBefore our first Meeting, this Morning, I was led to meditate on the\nmanifold Difficulties of these _Indians_, who, by the Permission of the\nsix Nations, dwell in these Parts; and a near Sympathy with them was\nraised in me; and, my Heart being enlarged in the Love of Christ, I\nthought that the affectionate Care of a good Man for his only Brother in\nAffliction does not exceed what I then felt for that People.\n\nI came to this Place through much Trouble; and though, through the\nMercies of God, I believed, that if I died in the Journey, it would be\nwell with me; yet the Thoughts of falling into the Hands of _Indian_\nWarriours were, in Times of Weakness, afflicting to me; and, being of a\ntender Constitution of Body, the Thoughts of Captivity amongst them\nwere, at Times, grievous; as supposing, that they being strong and\nhardy, might demand Service of me beyond what I could well bear; but the\nLord alone was my Keeper; and I believed, if I went into Captivity, it\nwould be for some good End: And thus, from Time to Time, my Mind was\ncentered in Resignation, in which I always found Quietness. And now,\nthis Day, though I had the same dangerous Wilderness between me and\nHome, I was inwardly joyful that the Lord had strengthened me to come on\nthis Visit, and manifested a fatherly Care over me in my poor lowly\nCondition, when in mine own Eyes I appeared inferior to many amongst the\n_Indians_.\n\nWhen the last-mentioned Meeting was ended, it being Night, PAPUNEHANG\nwent to Bed; and, one of the Interpreters sitting by me, I observed\nPAPUNEHANG spoke with an harmonious Voice, I suppose a Minute or two;\nand, asking the Interpreter, I was told, that \"He was expressing his\nThankfulness to God for the Favours he had received that Day; and\nprayed that he would continue to favour him with that same, which he had\nexperienced in that Meeting.\" And though PAPUNEHANG had before agreed to\nreceive the _Moravian_, and join with them, he still appeared kind and\nloving to us.\n\nOn the twentieth Day I was at two Meetings, and silent in them.\n\nThe twenty-first Day: This Morning, in Meeting, my Heart was enlarged in\npure Love amongst them, and, in short plain Sentences, I expressed\nseveral Things that rested upon me, which one of the Interpreters gave\nthe People pretty readily; after which, the Meeting ended in\nSupplication, and I had Cause humbly to acknowledge the Loving-kindness\nof the Lord towards us; and then I believed that a Door remained open\nfor the faithful Disciples of Jesus Christ to labour amongst these\nPeople.\n\nI now feeling my Mind at Liberty to return, took my Leave of them in\ngeneral, at the Conclusion of what I said in Meeting; and so we prepared\nto go homeward: But some of their most active Men told us, that, when we\nwere ready to move, the People would choose to come and shake Hands with\nus; which those who usually come to Meeting did: And, from a secret\nDraught in my Mind, I went amongst some who did not use to go to\nMeeting, and took my Leave of them also: And the _Moravian_ and his\n_Indian_ Interpreter appeared respectful to us at parting. This Town\nstands on the Bank of _Susquehannah_, and consists, I believe, of about\nforty Houses, mostly compact together; some about thirty feet long, and\neighteen wide, some bigger, some less; mostly built of split Plank, one\nEnd set in the Ground, and the other pinned to a Plate, on which lay\nRafters, and covered with Bark. I understand a great Flood last Winter\noverflowed the chief Part of the Ground where the Town stands; and some\nwere now about moving their Houses to higher Ground.\n\nWe expected only two _Indians_ to be our Company; but, when we were\nready to go, we found many of them were going to _Bethlehem_ with Skins\nand Furs, who chose to go in Company with us: So they loaded two\nCanoes, which they desired us to go in, telling us, that the Waters\nwere so raised with the Rains, that the Horses should be taken by such\nas were better acquainted with the Fording-places: So we, with several\n_Indians_, went in the Canoes, and others went on Horses, there being\nseven besides ours. And we meeting with the Horsemen once on the Way by\nAppointment, and that near Night, a little below a Branch called\n_Tankhannah_, we lodged there; and some of the young Men going out a\nlittle before Dusk with their Guns, brought in a Deer.\n\nOn the twenty-second Day, through Diligence, we reached _Wioming_ before\nNight, and understood the _Indians_ were mostly gone from this Place:\nHere we went up a small Creek into the Woods with our Canoes, and,\npitching our Tent, carried out our Baggage; and before Dark our Horses\ncame to us.\n\nOn the twenty-third Day in the Morning their Horses were loaded, and we\nprepared our Baggage, and so set forward, being in all fourteen; and\nwith diligent Travelling, were favoured to get near half-way to\n_Fort-Allen_. The Land on this Road from _Wioming_ to our Frontier being\nmostly poor, and good Grass scarce, they chose a Piece of low Ground to\nlodge on, as the best for grazing; and I, having sweated much in\nTravelling, and being weary, slept sound; I perceived in the Night that\nI had taken Cold, of which I was favoured to get better soon.\n\nOn the twenty-fourth Day we passed _Fort-Allen_, and lodged near it in\nthe Woods.\n\nHaving forded the westerly Branch of _Delaware_ three Times, we thereby\nhad a shorter Way, and missed going over the Top of the Blue Mountains,\ncalled the second Ridge. In the second Time fording, where the River\ncuts through the Mountain, the Waters being rapid, and pretty deep, and\nmy Companion's Mare being a tall, tractable Animal, he sundry Times\ndrove her back through the River, and they loaded her with the Burthens\nof some small Horses, which they thought not sufficient to come through\nwith their Loads.\n\nThe Troubles westward, and the Difficulty for _Indians_ to pass through\nour Frontier, I apprehend, was one Reason why so many came; as\nexpecting that our being in Company would prevent the outside\nInhabitants from being surprised.\n\nOn the twenty-fifth Day we reached _Bethlehem_, taking Care on the Way\nto keep foremost, and to acquaint People on and near the Road who these\n_Indians_ were: This we found very needful; for the Frontier Inhabitants\nwere often alarmed at the Report of _English_ being killed by _Indians_\nwestward.\n\nAmongst our Company were some whom I did not remember to have seen at\nMeeting, and some of these, at first, were very reserved; but, we being\nseveral Days together, and behaving friendly toward them, and making\nthem suitable Returns for the Services they did us, they became more\nfree and social.\n\nOn the twenty-sixth Day and first of the Week, having carefully\nendeavoured to settle all Affairs with the _Indians_ relative to our\nJourney, we took Leave of them, and I thought they generally parted with\nus affectionately; so we, getting to _Richland_, had a very comfortable\nMeeting amongst our Friends: Here I parted with my kind Friend and\nCompanion, BENJAMIN PARVIN; and, accompanied by my Friend, SAMUEL FOULK,\nwe rode to JOHN CADWALLADER'S, from whence I reached Home the next Day,\nwhere I found my Family middling well; and they, and my Friends, all\nalong appeared glad to see me return from a Journey which they\napprehended dangerous: But my Mind, while I was out, had been so\nemployed in striving for a perfect Resignation, and I had so often been\nconfirmed in a Belief, that whatever the Lord might be pleased to allot\nfor me, would work for Good, I was careful lest I should admit any\nDegree of Selfishness in being glad over much, and laboured to improve\nby those Trials in such a Manner as my gracious Father and Protector\nintends for me. Between the _English_ Inhabitants and _Wehaloosing_ we\nhad only a narrow Path, which in many Places is much grown up with\nBushes, and interrupted by abundance of Trees lying across it; these,\ntogether with the Mountains, Swamps, and rough Stones, make it a\ndifficult Road to travel; and the more so, for that Rattle-snakes\nabound there, of which we killed four: People, who have never been in\nsuch Places, have but an imperfect Idea of them; but I was not only\ntaught Patience, but also made thankful to God, who thus led me about\nand instructed me, that I might have a quick and lively Feeling of the\nAfflictions of my Fellow-creatures, whose Situation in Life is\ndifficult.\n\n\nCHAPTER IX\n\n    _His religious Conversation with a Company met to see the Tricks of\n    a Juggler_--_His Account of_ JOHN SMITH'S _Advice, and of the\n    Proceedings of a Committee, at the Yearly-meeting in\n    1764_--_Contemplations on the Nature of true Wisdom, occasioned by\n    hearing of the Cruelty of the_ Indians _to their Captives_--_His\n    visiting the Families of Friends at_ Mount-Holly, Mansfield, _and_\n    Burlington, _in 1764, and the Meetings on the Sea-Coast, from_\n    Cape-May, _toward_ Squan, _in 1765_--_His Visit to the lower\n    Counties on_ Delaware,_ and the eastern Shore of_ Maryland, _in\n    1766, in Company with_ JOHN SLEEPER; _with some Account of_ JOSEPH\n    NICHOLS _and his Followers; and Observations on the different State\n    of the first Settlers in_ Pennsylvania, _who depended on their own\n    Labour, and those of the southern Provinces, who kept Negroes_--_His\n    visiting the northern Parts of_ New-Jersey _the same Year, and the\n    western Parts of_ Maryland _and_ Pennsylvania _in 1767, and\n    afterwards other Parts of_ Pennsylvania, _and the Families of\n    Friends at_ Mount-Holly; _and again, several Parts of_ Maryland _in\n    1768_--_Farther Considerations on keeping Slaves; and his Concern\n    for having formerly, as an Executor, been Party to the Sale of one;\n    and what he did in Consequence of it_--_Thoughts on Friends\n    exercising Offices in civil Government_\n\nThe latter Part of the Summer, 1763, there came a Man to _Mount-Holly_,\nwho had before published, by a printed Advertisement, that, at a certain\nPublick-house, he would shew many wonderful Operations, which he therein\nenumerated.\n\nThis Man, at the Time appointed, did, by slight of Hand, sundry Things;\nwhich, to those gathered, appeared strange.\n\nThe next Day, I, hearing of it, and understanding that the Shew was to\nbe continued the next Night, and the People to meet about Sun-set, felt\nan Exercise on that Account: So I went to the Publick-house in the\nEvening, and told the Man of the House that I had an Inclination to\nspend a Part of the Evening there; with which he signified that he was\ncontent. Then, sitting down by the Door, I spake to the People as they\ncame together, concerning this Shew; and, more coming and sitting down\nwith us, the Seats of the Door were mostly filled; and I had\nConversation with them in the Fear of the Lord, and laboured to convince\nthem that, thus assembling to see those Tricks or Slights of Hand, and\nbestowing their Money to support Men, who, in that Capacity, were of no\nUse in the World, was contrary to the Nature of the _Christian_\nReligion.\n\nThere was one of the Company, who, for a Time, endeavoured, by\nArguments, to shew the Reasonableness of their Proceedings herein; but,\nafter considering some Texts of Scripture, and calmly debating the\nMatter, he gave up the Point. So, having spent about an Hour amongst\nthem, and feeling my Mind easy, I departed.\n\nAt our Yearly-meeting at _Philadelphia_, on the twenty-fifth Day of the\nninth Month, 1764, JOHN SMITH, of _Marlborough_, aged upwards of eighty\nYears, a faithful Minister, though not eloquent, stood up in our Meeting\nof Ministers and Elders, and, appearing to be under a great Exercise of\nSpirit, informed Friends in Substance as follows: to wit, \"That he had\nbeen a Member of the Society upwards of sixty Years, and well\nremembered, that in those early Times Friends were a plain lowly-minded\nPeople; and that there was much Tenderness and Contrition in their\nMeetings.--That, at twenty Years from that Time, the Society, increasing\nin Wealth, and in some Degree conforming to the Fashions of the World,\ntrue Humility was less apparent, and their Meetings, in general, not so\nlively and edifying.--That, at the End of forty Years, many of them were\ngrown very rich; that wearing of fine costly Garments, and using of\nsilver (and other) Watches, became customary with them, their Sons and\ntheir Daughters, and many of the Society made a specious Appearance in\nthe World; which Marks of outward Wealth and Greatness appeared on some\nin our Meetings of Ministers and Elders; and as these Things became\nmore prevalent, so the powerful Overshadowings of the Holy Ghost were\nless manifest in the Society.--That there had been a continued Increase\nof these Ways of Life even until now; and that the Weakness which hath\nnow overspread the Society, and the Barrenness manifest amongst us, are\nMatter of much Sorrow.\" He then mentioned the Uncertainty of his\nattending these Meetings in future, expecting his Dissolution was now\nnear; and, having tenderly expressed his Concern for us, signified that\nhe had seen in the true Light that the Lord would bring back his People\nfrom these Things into which they were thus degenerated; but that his\nfaithful Servants must first go through great and heavy Exercises\ntherein.\n\nOn the twenty-ninth Day, the Committee, appointed by the Yearly-meeting\nto visit the Quarterly and Monthly-meetings, now gave an Account in\nWriting of their Proceedings in that Service; in which they signified,\nthat, in the Course of it, they had been apprehensive that some Persons\nholding Offices in Government, inconsistent with our Principles, and\nothers, who kept Slaves, remaining active Members in our Meetings of\nDiscipline, had been one Means of Weakness more and more prevailing in\nthe Management thereof in some Places. After this Report was read, an\nExercise revived on my Mind, which, at Times, had attended me several\nYears, and inward Cries to the Lord were raised in me, that the Fear of\nMan might not prevent me from doing what he required of me; and standing\nup, I spake in Substance as follows: \"I have felt a Tenderness in my\nMind, towards Persons, in two Circumstances mentioned in that Report;\nthat is, toward such active Members as keep Slaves, and such as hold\nOffices in civil Government; and have desired, that Friends, in all\ntheir Conduct, may be kindly affectioned one toward another. Many\nFriends, who keep Slaves, are under some Exercise on that Account; and,\nat Times, think about trying them with Freedom; but find many Things in\ntheir Way: And the Way of Living, and annual Expences of some of them,\nare such, that it seems impracticable for them to set their Slaves free,\nwithout changing their own Way of Life. It has been my Lot to be often\nabroad; and I have observed in some Places, at Quarterly and\nYearly-meetings, and at some Houses where travelling Friends and their\nHorses are often entertained, that the yearly Expence of Individuals\ntherein is very considerable: And Friends, in some Places, crouding much\non Persons in these Circumstances for Entertainment, hath often rested\nas a Burthen on my Mind for some Years past; and I now express it in the\nFear of the Lord, greatly desiring that Friends now present may duly\nconsider it.\"\n\nIn the Fall of this Year, having hired a Man to work, I perceived, in\nConversation, that he had been a Soldier in the late War on this\nContinent; and, in the Evening, giving a Narrative of his Captivity\namongst the _Indians_, he informed me that he saw two of his\nFellow-captives tortured to Death in a very cruel Manner.\n\nThis Relation affected me with Sadness, under which I went to Bed; and,\nthe next Morning, soon after I awoke, a fresh and living Sense of divine\nLove was spread over my Mind; in which I had a renewed Prospect of the\nNature of that Wisdom from above, which leads to a right Use of all\nGifts, both spiritual and temporal, and gives Content therein: Under a\nFeeling thereof, I wrote as follows:\n\n\"Hath he, who gave me a Being attended with many Wants unknown to\nBrute-creatures, given me a Capacity superior to theirs; and shewn me,\nthat a moderate Application to Business is proper to my present\nCondition; and that this, attended with his Blessing, may supply all\noutward Wants, while they remain within the Bounds he hath fixed; and no\nimaginary Wants, proceeding from an evil Spirit, have any Place in me?\nAttend then, O my Soul! to this pure Wisdom, as thy sure Conductor\nthrough the manifold Dangers in this World.\n\n\"Doth Pride lead to Vanity? Doth Vanity form imaginary Wants? Do these\nWants prompt Men to exert their Power in requiring that of others, which\nthey themselves would rather be excused from, were the same required of\nthem?\n\n\"Do these Proceedings beget hard Thoughts? Do hard Thoughts, when ripe,\nbecome Malice? Does Malice, when ripe, become revengeful; and, in the\nEnd, inflict terrible Pains on their Fellow-creatures, and spread\nDesolation in the World?\n\n\"Doth Mankind, walking in Uprightness, delight in each other's\nHappiness? And do these Creatures, capable of this Attainment, by giving\nway to an evil Spirit, employ their Wit and Strength to afflict and\ndestroy one another?\n\n\"Remember then, O my Soul! the Quietude of those in whom Christ governs,\nand in all thy Proceedings feel after it.\n\n\"Doth he condescend to bless thee with his Presence? To move and\ninfluence to Action? To dwell in thee, and walk in thee? Remember then\nthy Station, as a Being sacred to God; accept of the Strength freely\noffered thee; and take heed that no Weakness, in conforming to\nexpensive, unwise, and hard-hearted, Customs, gendering to Discord and\nStrife, be given way to. Doth he claim my Body as his Temple, and\ngraciously grant that I may be sacred to him? O! that I may prize this\nFavour; and that my whole Life may be conformable to this Character!\n\n\"Remember, O my Soul! that the Prince of Peace is thy Lord: That he\ncommunicates his unmixed Wisdom to his Family; that they, living in\nperfect Simplicity, may give no just Cause of Offence to any Creature,\nbut may walk as he walked.\"\n\nHaving felt an Openness in my Heart toward visiting Families in our own\nMeeting, and especially in the Town of Mount-Holly, the Place of my\nAbode, I mentioned it in our Monthly-meeting the Fore-part of the\nWinter, 1764; which being agreed to, and several Friends of our Meeting\nbeing united in the Exercise, we proceeded therein; and, through divine\nFavour, were helped in the Work, so that it appeared to me as a fresh\nreviving of godly Care amongst Friends: And, the latter Part of the same\nWinter, I joined my Friend WILLIAM JONES, in a Visit to Friends Families\nin _Mansfield_; in which Labour I had Cause to admire the Goodness of\nthe Lord towards us.\n\nHaving felt my Mind drawn toward a Visit to Friends along the Sea-coast\nfrom _Cape-May_ to near _Squan_; and also to visit some People in those\nParts, amongst whom there is no settled Worship; I joined with my\nbeloved Friend, BENJAMIN JONES, in a Visit there, having Friends Unity\ntherein: And, setting off the twenty-fourth Day of the tenth Month,\n1765, we had a prosperous and very satisfactory Journey; feeling, at\nTimes, through the Goodness of the heavenly Shepherd, the Gospel to flow\nfreely toward a poor People scattered in those Places: And soon after\nour Return, I joined my Friends, JOHN SLEEPER and ELIZABETH SMITH, in\nvisiting Friends Families at _Burlington_, there being at this Time\nabout fifty Families of our Society in that City; and we had Cause\nhumbly to adore our heavenly Father, who baptized us into a Feeling of\nthe State of the People, and strengthened us to labour in true\nGospel-love amongst them.\n\nAn Exercise having, at Times, for several Years attended me, in regard\nto paying a religious Visit to Friends on the eastern Shore of\n_Maryland_: Such was the Nature of this Exercise, that I believed the\nLord moved me to travel on Foot amongst them, that, by so travelling, I\nmight have a more lively Feeling of the Condition of the oppressed\nSlaves, set an Example of Lowliness before the Eyes of their Masters,\nand be more out of the Way of Temptation to unprofitable Converse.\n\nThe Time now drawing near in which I believed it my Duty to lay my\nConcern before our Monthly-meeting, I perceived, in Conversation with my\nbeloved Friend, JOHN SLEEPER, that he was under a Concern to travel the\nsame Way, and also to travel on Foot in the Form of a Servant amongst\nthem, as he expressed it. This he told me before he knew aught of my\nExercise.\n\nWe, being thus drawn the same Way, laid our Exercise and the Nature of\nit before Friends; and, obtaining Certificates, we set off the sixth Day\nof the fifth Month, 1766; and were at Meetings with Friends at\n_Wilmington_, _Duck-Creek_, _Little-Creek_, and _Motherkill_; my Heart\nbeing sundry Times tendered under the divine Influence, and enlarged in\nLove toward the People amongst whom we travelled.\n\nFrom _Motherkill_, we crossed the Country about thirty-five Miles to\nFriends at _Tuckahoe_ in _Maryland_, and had a Meeting there and at\n_Marshy-Creek_.\n\nAt these, our three last Meetings, were a considerable Number of People,\nFollowers of one JOSEPH NICHOLS, a Preacher; who, I understand, is not\nin outward Fellowship with any religious Society of People, but\nprofesseth nearly the same Principles as our Society doth, and often\ntravels up and down appointing Meetings, to which many People come. I\nheard some Friends speaking of some of their Neighbours, who had been\nirreligious People, that were now his Followers, and were become sober\nwell-behaved Men and Women.\n\nSome Irregularities, I hear, have been amongst the People at several of\nhis Meetings; but, from the whole of what I have perceived, I believe\nthe Man and some of his Followers are honestly disposed, but that\nskilful Fathers are wanting amongst them: From hence we went to\n_Choptank_ and _Third-Haven_; and thence to _Queen Anne's_. The Weather\nhaving some Days past been hot and dry, and we, to attend Meetings\npursuant to Appointment, having travelled pretty steadily, and had hard\nLabour in Meetings, I grew weakly, at which I was, for a Time,\ndiscouraged; but, looking over our Journey, and thinking how the Lord\nhad supported our Minds and Bodies, so that we got forward much faster\nthan I expected before we came out, I now saw that I had been in Danger\nof too strongly desiring to get soon through the Journey, and that this\nbodily Weakness, now attending me, was a Kindness to me; and then, in\nContrition of Spirit, I became very thankful to my gracious Father, for\nthis Manifestation of his Love; and, in humble Submission to his Will,\nmy Trust was renewed in him.\n\nOn this Part of our Journey, I had many Thoughts on the different\nCircumstances of Friends, who inhabit _Pennsylvania_ and _Jersey_, from\nthose who dwell in _Maryland_, _Virginia_, and _Carolina_.\n_Pennsylvania_ and _New-Jersey_ were settled by many Friends, who were\nconvinced of our Principles in _England_ in Times of Suffering, and,\ncoming over, bought Lands of the Natives, and applied themselves to\nHusbandry in a peaceable Way; and many of their Children were taught to\nlabour for their Living.\n\nFew Friends, I believe, came from _England_ to settle in any of these\nsouthern Provinces; but, by the faithful Labours of travelling Friends\nin early Times, there were considerable Convincements amongst the\nInhabitants of these Parts. Here I remembered my reading of the warlike\nDisposition of many of the first Settlers in those Provinces, and of\ntheir numerous Engagements with the Natives, in which much Blood was\nshed, even in the Infancy of those Colonies. These People, inhabiting\nthose Places, being grounded in Customs contrary to the pure Truth, when\nsome of them were affected with the powerful preaching of the Word of\nLife, and joined in Fellowship with our Society, they had a great Work\nto go through. It is observable, in the History of the Reformation from\n_Popery_, that it had a gradual Progress from Age to Age: The\nUprightness of the first Reformers, in attending to the Light and\nUnderstanding given them, opened the Way for sincere-hearted People to\nproceed farther afterward; and thus, each one truly fearing God, and\nlabouring in those Works of Righteousness appointed for him in his Day,\nfindeth Acceptance with him: Though, through the Darkness of the Times,\nand the Corruption of Manners and Customs, some upright Men have had\nlittle more for their Day's Work than to attend to the righteous\nPrinciple in their Minds, as it related to their own Conduct in Life,\nwithout pointing out to others the whole Extent of that, which the same\nPrinciple would lead succeeding Ages into. Thus, for Instance, amongst\nan imperious warlike People, supported by oppressed Slaves, some of\nthese Masters, I suppose, are awakened to feel and see their Error; and,\nthrough sincere Repentance, cease from Oppression, and become like\nFathers to their Servants; shewing, by their Example, a Pattern of\nHumility in living, and Moderation in governing, for the Instruction\nand Admonition of their oppressing Neighbours; those, without carrying\nthe Reformation farther, I believe, have found Acceptance with the Lord.\nSuch was the Beginning; and those who succeeded them, and have\nfaithfully attended to the Nature and Spirit of the Reformation, have\nseen the Necessity of proceeding forward, and not only to instruct\nothers, by their Example, in governing well, but also to use Means to\nprevent their Successors from having so much Power to oppress others.\n\nHere I was renewedly confirmed in my Mind, that the Lord (whose tender\nMercies are over all his Works, and whose Ear is open to the Cries and\nGroans of the Oppressed) is graciously moving on the Hearts of People,\nto draw them off from the Desire of Wealth, and bring them into such an\nhumble, lowly, Way of Living, that they may see their Way clearly, to\nrepair to the Standard of true Righteousness; and not only break the\nYoke of Oppression, but know him to be their Strength and Support in a\nTime of outward Affliction.\n\nWe, passing on, crossed _Chester-River_; and had a Meeting there, and at\n_Cecil_ and _Sassafras_. Through my bodily Weakness, joined with a heavy\nExercise of Mind, it was to me an humbling Dispensation, and I had a\nvery lively Feeling of the State of the Oppressed; yet I often thought,\nthat what I suffered was little, compared with the Sufferings of the\nblessed Jesus, and many of his faithful Followers; and may say, with\nThankfulness, I was made content.\n\nFrom _Sassafras_ we went pretty directly Home, where we found our\nFamilies well; and, for several Weeks after our Return, I had often to\nlook over our Journey: And though it appeared to me as a small Service,\nand that some faithful Messengers will yet have more bitter Cups to\ndrink in those southern Provinces, for Christ's Sake, than we had; yet I\nfound Peace in that I had been helped to walk in Sincerity, according to\nthe Understanding and Strength given me.\n\nOn the thirteenth Day of the eleventh Month, 1766, with the Unity of\nFriends at our Monthly-meeting, in Company with my beloved Friend,\nBENJAMIN JONES, I set out on a Visit to Friends in the upper Part of\nthis Province, having had Drawings of Love in my Heart that Way a\nconsiderable Time: We travelled as far as _Hardwick_; and I had inward\nPeace in my Labours of Love amongst them.\n\nThrough the humbling Dispensations of divine Providence, my Mind hath\nbeen brought into a farther Feeling of the Difficulties of Friends and\ntheir Servants south-westward; and being often engaged in Spirit on\ntheir Account, I believed it my Duty to walk into some Parts of the\nwestern Shore of _Maryland_, on a religious Visit; and, having obtained\na Certificate from Friends of our Monthly-meeting, I took my Leave of my\nFamily under the heart-tendering Operation of Truth; and, on the\ntwentieth Day of the fourth Month, 1767, I rode to the Ferry opposite to\n_Philadelphia_, and from thence walked to WILLIAM HORNE'S, at _Derby_,\nthat Evening; and next Day pursued my journey alone, and reached\n_Concord_ week-day Meeting.\n\nDiscouragements and a Weight of Distress had, at Times, attended me in\nthis lonesome Walk; through which Afflictions I was mercifully\npreserved: And now, sitting down with Friends, my Mind was turned toward\nthe Lord, to wait for his holy Leadings; who, in infinite Love, was\npleased to soften my Heart into an humble Contrition, and did renewedly\nstrengthen me to go forward; so that to me it was a Time of heavenly\nRefreshment in a silent Meeting.\n\nThe next Day I came to _New-Garden_ week-day Meeting, in which I sat\nwith Bowedness of Spirit; and, being baptized into a Feeling of the\nState of some present, the Lord gave us a heart-tendering Season; to his\nName be the Praise.\n\nI passed on, and was at _Nottingham_ Monthly-meeting; and at a Meeting\nat _Little-Britain_ on First-day: And in the Afternoon several Friends\ncame to the House where I lodged, and we had a little Afternoon-meeting;\nand, through the humbling Power of Truth, I had to admire the\nLoving-kindness of the Lord manifested to us!\n\nOn the twenty-sixth Day, I crossed _Susquehannah_; and coming amongst\nPeople in outward Ease and Greatness, chiefly on the Labour of Slaves,\nmy Heart was much affected; and, in awful Retiredness, my Mind was\ngathered inward to the Lord, being humbly engaged that in true\nResignation I might receive Instruction from him, respecting my Duty\namongst this People.\n\nThough travelling on Foot was wearisome to my Body; yet thus travelling\nwas agreeable to the State of my Mind.\n\nI went gently on, being weakly; and was covered with Sorrow and\nHeaviness, on Account of the spreading prevailing Spirit of this World,\nintroducing Customs grievous and oppressive on one Hand, and cherishing\nPride and Wantonness on the other. In this lonely Walk, and State of\nAbasement and Humiliation, the State of the Church in these Parts was\nopened before me; and I may truly say with the Prophet, \"I was bowed\ndown at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it.\" Under\nthis Exercise, I attended the Quarterly-meeting at _Gunpowder_; and, in\nBowedness of Spirit, I had to open, with much Plainness, what I felt\nrespecting Friends living in Fullness, on the Labours of the poor\noppressed Negroes; and that Promise of the Most High was now revived: \"I\nwill gather all Nations and Tongues; and they shall come and see my\nGlory.\"--Here the Sufferings of Christ, and his tasting Death for every\nMan, and the Travels, Sufferings, and Martyrdoms, of the Apostles and\nprimitive _Christians_, in labouring for the Conversion of the Gentiles,\nwere livingly revived in me; and, according to the Measure of Strength\nafforded, I laboured in some Tenderness of Spirit, being deeply affected\namongst them: And thus the Difference, between the present Treatment\nwhich these Gentiles, the Negroes, receive at our Hands, and the Labours\nof the primitive _Christians_ for the Conversion of the Gentiles was\npressed home, and the Power of Truth came over us; under a Feeling of\nwhich, my Mind was united to a tender-hearted People in those Parts; and\nthe Meeting concluded in a Sense of God's Goodness toward his humble\ndependent Children.\n\nThe next Day was a general Meeting for Worship, much crouded; in which I\nwas deeply engaged in inward Cries to the Lord for Help, that I might\nstand wholly resigned, and move only as he might be pleased to lead me:\nAnd I was mercifully helped to labour honestly and fervently amongst\nthem, in which I found inward Peace; and the Sincere were comforted.\n\nFrom hence I turned toward _Pipe-Creek_, and passed on to the\n_Red-Lands_; and had several Meetings amongst Friends in those Parts. My\nHeart was often tenderly affected, under a Sense of the Lord's Goodness,\nin sanctifying my Troubles and Exercises, turning them to my Comfort,\nand, I believe, to the Benefit of many others; for, I may say, with\nThankfulness, that in this Visit, it appeared like a fresh tendering\nVisitation in most Places.\n\nI passed on to the western Quarterly-meeting in _Pennsylvania_; during\nthe several Days of this Meeting, I was mercifully preserved in an\ninward feeling after the Mind of Truth, and my publick Labours tended to\nmy Humiliation, with which I was content: And, after the\nQuarterly-meeting of Worship ended, I felt Drawings to go to the Women's\nMeeting of Business; which was very full: And here the Humility of Jesus\nChrist, as a Pattern for us to walk by, was livingly opened before me;\nand in treating on it my Heart was enlarged; and it was a baptizing\nTime. From hence I went on; and was at Meetings at _Concord_,\n_Middletown_, _Providence_, and _Haddonfield_, and so Home; where I\nfound my Family well. A sense of the Lord's merciful Preservation, in\nthis my Journey, excites reverent Thankfulness to him.\n\nOn the second Day of the ninth Month, 1767, with the Unity of Friends, I\nset off on a Visit to Friends in the upper Part of _Berks_ and\n_Philadelphia_ Counties; was at eleven Meetings in about two Weeks; and\nhave renewed Cause to bow in Reverence before the Lord, who, by the\npowerful Extendings of his humbling Goodness, opened my Way amongst\nFriends, and made the Meetings (I trust) profitable to us. And, the\nWinter following, I joined Friends on a Visit to Friends Families, in\nsome Part of our Meeting; in which Exercise, the pure Influence of\ndivine Love made our Visits reviving.\n\nOn the fifth Day of the fifth Month, 1768, I left Home under the\nhumbling Hand of the Lord, having obtained a Certificate, in order to\nvisit some Meetings in _Maryland_; and to proceed without a Horse looked\nclearest to me. I was at the Quarterly-meetings at _Philadelphia_ and\n_Concord_; and then went on to _Chester-River_; and, crossing the Bay\nwith Friends, was at the Yearly-meeting at _West-River_; thence back to\n_Chester-River_; and, taking a few Meetings in my Way, proceeded Home.\nIt was a Journey of much inward Waiting; and, as my Eye was to the Lord,\nWay was, several Times, opened to my humbling Admiration, when Things\nhad appeared very difficult.\n\nIn my Return, I felt a Relief of Mind, very comfortable to me; having,\nthrough divine Help, laboured in much Plainness, both with Friends\nselected, and in the more publick Meetings; so that (I trust) the pure\nWitness, in many Minds, was reached.\n\nThe eleventh Day of the sixth Month, 1769. Sundry Cases have happened,\nof late Years, within the Limits of our Monthly-meeting, respecting that\nof exercising pure Righteousness toward the Negroes; in which I have\nlived under a Labour of Heart, that Equity might be steadily kept to. On\nthis Account, I have had some close Exercises amongst Friends; in which,\nI may thankfully say, I find Peace: And, as my Meditations have been on\nuniversal Love, my own Conduct in Time past became of late very grievous\nto me.\n\nAs Persons, setting Negroes free in our Province, are bound by Law to\nmaintain them, in case they have Need of Relief, some, who scrupled\nkeeping Slaves for Term of Life, in the Time of my Youth, were wont to\ndetain their young Negroes in their Service till thirty Years of Age,\nwithout Wages, on that Account; and with this Custom I so far agreed,\nthat I, being joined to another Friend, in executing the Will of a\ndeceased Friend, once sold a Negro Lad till he might attain the Age of\nthirty Years, and applied the Money to the Use of the Estate.\n\nWith Abasement of Heart, I may now say, that sometimes, as I have sat in\na Meeting, with my Heart exercised toward that awful Being, who\nrespecteth not Persons nor Colours, and have looked upon this Lad, I\nhave felt that all was not clear in my Mind respecting him; and as I\nhave attended to this Exercise, and fervently sought the Lord, it hath\nappeared to me, that I should make some Restitution, but in what Way I\nsaw not till lately; when, being under some Concern that I may be\nresigned to go on a Visit to some Part of the _West-Indies_, and under\nclose Engagement of Spirit, seeking to the Lord for Counsel herein, that\nof my joining in the Sale aforesaid, came heavily upon me; and my Mind,\nfor a Time, was covered with Darkness and Sorrow; and, under this sore\nAffliction, my Heart was softened to receive Instruction: And here I\nfirst saw, that, as I had been one of the two Executors, who had sold\nthis Lad nine Years longer than is common for our own Children to serve,\nso I should now offer a Part of my Substance to redeem the last Half of\nthat nine Years; but, as the Time was not yet come, I executed a Bond,\nbinding me and my Executors to pay to the Man, he was sold to, what, to\ncandid Men, might appear equitable for the last four Years and a Half of\nhis Time, in case the said Youth should be living, and in a Condition\nlikely to provide comfortably for himself.\n\nThe ninth Day of the tenth Month, 1769. My Heart hath often been deeply\nafflicted under a Feeling I have had, that the Standard of pure\nRighteousness is not lifted up to the People by us, as a Society, in\nthat Clearness which it might have been, had we been so faithful to the\nTeachings of Christ as we ought to have been: And, as my Mind hath been\ninward to the Lord, the Purity of Christ's Government hath been opened\nin my Understanding; and, under this Exercise, that of Friends being\nactive in civil Society, in putting Laws in force which are not\nagreeable to the Purity of Righteousness, hath, for several Years, been\nan increasing Burthen upon me; having felt, in the Openings of universal\nLove, that where a People, convinced of the Truth of the inward\nTeachings of Christ, are active in putting Laws in Execution which are\nnot consistent with pure Wisdom, it hath a necessary Tendency to bring\nDimness over their Minds: And, as my Heart hath been thus exercised, and\na tender Sympathy in me toward my Fellow-members, I have, within a few\nMonths past, in several Meetings for Discipline, expressed my Concern on\nthis Subject.\n\n\nCHAPTER X\n\n    _His preparing to visit Friends in_ England--_His embarking at_\n    Chester, _in Company with_ SAMUEL EMLEN, _in a Ship bound to_\n    London--_His deep Exercise, in observing the Difficulties and\n    Hardships the common Sailors are exposed to_--_Considerations on the\n    Dangers to which Youth are exposed, in being trained to a sea-faring\n    Life; and its Inconsistency with a pious Education_--_His Thoughts\n    in a Storm at Sea: With many instructive Contemplations on the\n    Voyage_--_And his Arrival at_ London\n\nHaving been some Time under a religious Concern to prepare for crossing\nthe Seas, in order to visit Friends in the northern Parts of _England_,\nand more particularly _Yorkshire_; after weighty Consideration, I\nthought it expedient to inform Friends, at our Monthly-meeting at\n_Burlington_, of it; who, having Unity with me therein, gave me a\nCertificate; and I afterward communicated the same to our\nQuarterly-meeting, and they likewise certified their Concurrence\ntherewith. Some Time after which, at the general Spring-meeting of\nMinisters and Elders, I thought it my Duty to acquaint them of the\nreligious Exercise which attended my Mind; with which they likewise\nsignified their Unity by a Certificate, dated the twenty-fourth Day of\nthe third Month, 1772, directed to Friends in _Great-Britain_.\n\nIn the fourth Month following, I thought the Time was come for me to\nmake some Enquiry for a suitable Conveyance; being apprehensive that, as\nmy Concern was principally toward the northern Parts of _England_, it\nwould be most proper to go in a Vessel bound to _Liverpool_ or\n_Whitehaven_: And, while I was at _Philadelphia_, deliberating on this\nOccasion, I was informed, that my beloved Friend, SAMUEL EMLEN, jun.,\nintending to go to _London_, and having taken a Passage for himself in\nthe Cabbin of a Ship, called _Mary and Elizabeth_, of which JAMES\nSPARKS was Master, and JOHN HEAD, of the City of _Philadelphia_, one of\nthe Owners; and I feeling a Draught in my Mind toward the Steerage of\nthe same Ship, went first and opened to SAMUEL the Feeling I had\nconcerning it.\n\nMy beloved Friend appeared glad that I had Thoughts of going in the\nVessel with him, though my Prospect was toward the Steerage; and he,\noffering to go with me, we went on board, first in the Cabbin, a\ncommodious Room, and then into the Steerage; where we sat down on a\nChest, the Sailors being busy about us: Then the Owner of the Ship came,\nand sat down with us.\n\nHere my Mind was turned toward Christ, the heavenly Counsellor; and I\nfeeling, at this Time, my own Will subjected, my Heart was contrite\nbefore him.\n\nA Motion was made, by the Owner, to go and sit in the Cabbin, as a Place\nmore retired; but I felt easy to leave the Ship, and made no Agreement\nas to a Passage in her; but told the Owner, if I took a Passage in the\nShip, I believed it would be in the Steerage; but did not say much as to\nmy Exercise in that Case.\n\nI went to my Lodgings, and soon after went to Bed, and my Mind was under\na deep Exercise before the Lord; whose helping Hand was manifested to me\nas I slept that Night, and his Love strengthened my Heart. In the\nMorning I went with two Friends on board the Vessel again; and, after a\nshort Time spent therein, I went, with SAMUEL EMLEN, to the House of the\nOwner; to whom, in the Hearing of SAMUEL only, I opened my Exercise, in\nrelation to a Scruple with regard to a Passage in the Cabbin.\n\nAfter this I agreed for a Passage in the Steerage; and, hearing in Town\nthat JOSEPH WHITE had a Desire to see me, I felt the Reviving of a\nDesire to see him, and went then to his House, and next Day Home; where\nI tarried two Nights; and then, early in the Morning, I parted with my\nFamily, under a Sense of the humbling Hand of God upon me; and going to\n_Philadelphia_, had Opportunity with several of my beloved Friends; who\nappeared to be concerned for me, on Account of the unpleasant Situation\nof that Part of the Vessel where I was likely to lodge.\n\nHaving stayed two Nights in _Philadelphia_, I went the next Day to\n_Derby_ Monthly-meeting; where, through the Strength of divine Love, my\nHeart was enlarged toward the Youth then present; under which I was\nhelped to labour in some Tenderness of Spirit. Then, lodging at WILLIAM\nHORNE'S, I, with one Friend, went to _Chester_; where, meeting with\nSAMUEL EMLEN, we went on board, the first Day of the fifth Month, 1772;\nand, as I sat down alone, on a Seat on the Deck, I felt a satisfactory\nEvidence that my Proceedings were not in my own Will, but under the\nPower of the Cross of Christ.\n\nSeventh Day of the fifth Month. We have had rough Weather mostly since I\ncame on board; and the Passengers, JAMES REYNOLDS, JOHN TILL-ADAMS,\nSARAH LOGAN and her hired Maid, and JOHN BISPHAM, were all sea-sick,\nmore or less, at Times; from which Sickness, through the tender Mercies\nof my heavenly Father, I have been preserved; my Afflictions now being\nof another Kind.\n\nThere appeared an Openness in the Minds of the Master of the Ship and of\nthe Cabbin-Passengers toward me: We were often together on the Deck, and\nsometimes in the Cabbin.\n\nMy Mind, through the merciful Help of the Lord, hath been preserved in a\ngood Degree, watchful and inward; and I have, this Day, great Cause to\nbe thankful, in that I remain to feel Quietness of Mind.\n\nAs my lodging in the Steerage, now near a Week, hath afforded me sundry\nOpportunities of seeing, hearing, and feeling, with respect to the Life\nand Spirit of many poor Sailors, an inward Exercise of Soul hath\nattended me, in regard to placing our Children and Youth where they may\nbe likely to be exampled and instructed in the pure Fear of the Lord;\nand I, being much amongst the Seamen, have, from a Motion of Love,\nsundry Times taken Opportunities, with one of them at a Time alone, and\nin a free Conversation laboured to turn their Minds toward the Fear of\nthe Lord: And this Day we had a Meeting in the Cabbin, where my Heart\nwas contrite under a Feeling of divine Love.\n\nNow, concerning Lads being trained up as Seamen; I believe a\nCommunication from one Part of the World to some other Parts of it, by\nSea, is, at Times, consistent with the Will of our heavenly Father; and\nto educate some Youth in the Practice of sailing, I believe, may be\nright: But how lamentable is the present Corruption of the World! how\nimpure are the Channels through which Trade hath a Conveyance! how great\nis that Danger, to which poor Lads are now exposed, when placed on\nshipboard to learn the Art of sailing!\n\nO! that all may take Heed and beware of Covetousness! O that all may\nlearn of Christ, who was meek and low of Heart! Then, in faithfully\nfollowing him, he will teach us to be content with Food and Raiment,\nwithout respect to the Customs or Honours of this World.\n\nMen, thus redeemed, will feel a tender Concern for their\nFellow-creatures, and a Desire that those in the lowest Stations may be\nassisted and encouraged; and, where Owners of Ships attain to the\nperfect Law of Liberty, and are Doers of the Word, these will be blessed\nin their Deeds.\n\nRising to work in the Night is not commonly pleasant in any case; but,\nin dark rainy Nights, it is very disagreeable, even though each Man were\nfurnished with all Conveniences: But, if Men must go out at Midnight, to\nhelp manage the Ship in the Rain, and, having small Room to sleep and\nlay their Garments in, are often beset to furnish themselves for the\nWatch, their Garments or something relating to their Business being\nwanting and not easily found, when, from the Urgency occasioned by high\nWinds, they are hastened and called up suddenly, here is a Trial of\nPatience on the poor Sailors and the poor Lads their Companions.\n\nIf, after they have been on Deck several Hours in the Night, and come\ndown into the Steerage soaking wet, and are so close stowed that proper\nConvenience for change of Garment is not easily come at, but for Want of\nproper Room, their wet Garments are thrown in Heaps, and sometimes,\nthrough much crouding, are trodden under Foot in going to their Lodgings\nand getting out of them, and they have great Difficulties, at Times,\neach one to find his own, here are Trials on the poor Sailors.\n\nNow, as I have been with them in my Lodge, my Heart hath often yearned\nfor them, and tender Desires have been raised in me, that all Owners and\nMasters of Vessels may dwell in the Love of God, and therein act\nuprightly; and, by seeking less for Gain, and looking carefully to their\nWays, may earnestly labour to remove all Cause of Provocation from the\npoor Seamen, either to fret or use Excess of Strong-drink; for, indeed,\nthe poor Creatures, at Times, in the Wet and Cold, seem to apply to\nStrong-drink to supply the Want of other Convenience.\n\nGreat Reformation in the World is wanting; and the Necessity of it,\namongst these who do Business on great Waters, hath, at this Time, been\nabundantly opened before me.\n\nThe eighth Day of the fifth Month. This Morning the Clouds gathered, the\nWind blew strong from South-eastward, and before Noon increased to that\nDegree that Sailing appeared dangerous. The Seamen then bound up some of\ntheir Sails, and took down some; and, the Storm increasing, they put the\nDead-lights, so called, into the Cabbin-Windows, and lighted a Lamp as\nat Night.\n\nThe Wind now blew vehemently, and the Sea wrought to that Degree, that\nan awful Seriousness prevailed in the Cabbin, in which I spent, I\nbelieve, about seventeen Hours; for I believed the poor wet toiling\nSeamen had Need of all the Room in the crouded Steerage, and the\nCabbin-Passengers had given me frequent Invitations.\n\nThey ceased now from Sailing, and put the Vessel in the Posture called,\nlying-to.\n\nMy Mind, in this Tempest, through the gracious Assistance of the Lord,\nwas preserved in a good Degree of Resignation; and I felt, at Times, a\nfew Words in his Love to my Ship-mates, in regard to the All-sufficiency\nof him who formed the great Deep, and whose Care is so extensive, that a\nSparrow falls not without his Notice; and thus, in a tender Frame of\nMind, spake to them of the Necessity of our yielding, in true Obedience,\nto the Instructions of our heavenly Father, who sometimes, through\nAdversities, intendeth our Refinement.\n\nAbout eleven at Night I went out on the Deck, when the Sea wrought\nexceedingly, and the high-foaming Waves, all round about, had in some\nSort the Appearance of Fire, but did not give much, if any, Light.\n\nThe Sailor, then at the Helm, said he lately saw a Corposant at the Head\nof the Mast.\n\nAbout this Time I observed the Master of the Ship ordered the Carpenter\nto keep on the Deck; and, though he said little, I apprehended his Care\nwas, that the Carpenter, with his axe, might be in Readiness, in case of\nany Extremity.\n\nSoon after this, the Vehemency of the Wind abated; and, before Morning,\nthey again put the Ship under Sail.\n\nThe tenth Day of the Month, and first of the Week, it being fine\nWeather, we had a Meeting in the Cabbin, at which most of the Seamen\nwere present: This Meeting to me was a strengthening Time.\n\nThe thirteenth Day of the Month. As I continue to lodge in the Steerage,\nI feel an Openness this Morning, to express something farther of the\nState of my Mind, in Respect to poor Lads bound Apprentice to learn the\nArt of Sailing. As I believe Sailing is of some Use in the World, a\nLabour of Soul attends me, that the pure Counsel of Truth may be humbly\nwaited for in this Case, by all concerned in the Business of the Seas.\n\nA pious Father, whose Mind is exercised for the everlasting Welfare of\nhis Child, may not, with a peaceable Mind, place him out to an\nEmployment amongst a People, whose common Course of Life is manifestly\ncorrupt and prophane; so great is the present Defect amongst Seafaring\nMen, in regard to Piety and Virtue: And, through an abundant Traffic,\nand many Ships of War, so many People are employed on the Sea, that this\nSubject of placing Lads to the Employment appears very weighty.\n\nProphane Examples are very corrupting, and very forcible. And as my\nMind, Day after Day, and Night after Night, hath been affected with a\nsympathizing Tenderness toward poor Children, put to the Employment of\nSailors, I have sometimes had weighty Conversation with the Sailors in\nthe Steerage, who were mostly respectful to me, and more and more so the\nlonger I was with them: They mostly appeared to take kindly what I said\nto them; but their Minds have appeared to be so deeply impressed with\nthat almost universal Depravity amongst Sailors, that the poor\nCreatures, in their Answers to me on this Subject, have revived in my\nRemembrance that of the degenerate _Jews_ a little before the Captivity,\nas repeated by JEREMIAH the Prophet, \"There is no Hope.\"\n\nNow, under this Exercise, a Sense of the Desire of outward Gain\nprevailing amongst us hath felt grievous, and a strong Call to the\nprofessed Followers of Christ hath been raised in me, that all may take\nHeed, lest, through loving this present World, they be found in a\ncontinued Neglect of Duty, with respect to a faithful Labour for a\nReformation.\n\nSilence, as to every Motion proceeding from the Love of Money, and an\nhumble Waiting upon God to know his Will concerning us, has now appeared\nnecessary: He alone is able to strengthen us to dig deep, to remove all\nwhich lies between us and the safe Foundation, and so direct us in our\noutward Employments, that pure universal Love may shine forth in our\nProceedings.\n\nDesires arising from the Spirit of Truth are pure Desires; and when a\nMind, divinely opened toward a young Generation, is made sensible of\ncorrupting Examples, powerfully working, and extensively spreading\namongst them, how moving is the Prospect!\n\nThe sixteenth Day of the Month. Wind for several Days past often high,\nwhat the Sailors call squally, rough Sea and frequent Rains. This last\nNight a very trying Night to the poor Seamen: The Water, chief Part of\nthe Night, running over the main Deck, and sometimes Breaking-waves came\non the Quarter-deck. The latter Part of the Night, as I lay in Bed, my\nMind was humbled under the Power of divine Love; and Resignedness to the\ngreat Creator of the Earth and Seas, renewedly wrought in me; whose\nfatherly Care over his Children felt precious to my Soul: And Desires\nwere now renewed in me, to embrace every Opportunity of being inwardly\nacquainted with the Hardships and Difficulties of my Fellow-creatures,\nand to labour in his Love for the spreading of pure universal\nRighteousness on the Earth. The Opportunities were frequent of hearing\nConversation amongst the Sailors, in respect to the Voyages to _Africa_,\nand the Manner of bringing the deeply-oppressed Slaves into our Islands.\nThe Thoughts of their Condition, frequently in Chains and Fetters on\nboard the Vessels, with Hearts loaded with Grief, under the\nApprehensions of miserable Slavery; my Mind was frequently opened to\nmeditate on these Things.\n\nOn the seventeenth Day of the Month, and first of the Week, we had a\nMeeting in the Cabbin; to which the Seamen generally came. My Spirit was\ncontrite before the Lord; whose Love, at this Time, affected my Heart.\n\nThis Afternoon I felt a tender Sympathy of Soul with my poor Wife and\nFamily left behind; in which State, my Heart was enlarged in Desires\nthat they may walk in that humble Obedience wherein the everlasting\nFather may be their Guide and Support, through all the Difficulties in\nthis World; and a Sense of that gracious Assistance, through which my\nMind hath been strengthened to take up the Cross and leave them, to\ntravel in the Love of Truth, hath begotten Thankfulness in my Heart to\nour great Helper.\n\nOn the twenty-fourth Day of the Month, and first of the Week, a clear\npleasant Morning: And, as I sat on Deck, I felt a Reviving in my Nature;\nwhich, through much rainy Weather and high Winds, being shut up in a\nclose unhealthy Air, was weakened.\n\nSeveral Nights of late I felt Breathing difficult; so that a little\nafter the rising of the second Watch (which is about Midnight) I got up,\nand stood, I believe, near an Hour, with my Face near the Hatchway, to\nget the fresh Air at the small Vacancy under the Hatch-door; which is\ncommonly shut down, partly to keep out Rain, and sometimes to keep the\nBreaking-waves from dashing into the Steerage.\n\nI may, with Thankfulness to the Father of Mercies, acknowledge, that, in\nmy present weak State, my Mind hath been supported to bear the\nAffliction with Patience; and have looked at the present Dispensation as\na Kindness from the great Father of Mankind, who, in this my floating\nPilgrimage, is in some Degree bringing me to feel that, which many\nthousands of my Fellow-creatures often suffer in a greater Degree.\n\nMy Appetite failing, the Trial hath been the heavier; and I have felt\ntender Breathings in my Soul after God, the Fountain of Comfort, whose\ninward Help hath supplied, at Times, the Want of outward Convenience:\nAnd strong Desires have attended me, that his Family, who are acquainted\nwith the Movings of his holy Spirit, may be so redeemed from the Love of\nMoney, and from that Spirit in which Men seek Honour one of another,\nthat in all Business, by Sea or Land, we may constantly keep in View the\ncoming of his Kingdom on Earth, as it is in Heaven; and, by faithfully\nfollowing this safe Guide, shew forth Examples, tending to lead out of\nthat under which the Creation groans!\n\nThis Day we had a Meeting in the Cabbin; in which I was favoured in some\nDegree to experience the fulfilling of that Saying of the Prophet, \"The\nLord hath been a Strength to the Poor, a Strength to the Needy in their\nDistress;\" for which, my Heart is bowed in Thankfulness before him!\n\nThe twenty-eighth Day of the Month.--Wet Weather of late, small Winds\ninclining to Calms: Our Seamen have cast a Lead, I suppose about one\nhundred Fathoms, but find no Bottom: Foggy Weather this Morning.\n\nThrough the Kindness of the great Preserver of Men my Mind remains\nquiet; and a Degree of Exercise, from Day to Day, attends me, that the\npure peaceable Government of Christ may spread and prevail amongst\nMankind.\n\nThe leading on of a young Generation in that pure Way in which the\nWisdom of this World hath no Place; where Parents and Tutors, humbly\nwaiting for the heavenly Counsellor, may example them in the Truth, as\nit is in Jesus;--this, for several Days, hath been the Exercise of my\nMind. O! how safe, how quiet, is that State, where the Soul stands in\npure Obedience to the Voice of Christ, and a watchful Care is maintained\nnot to follow the Voice of the Stranger!\n\nHere Christ is felt to be our Shepherd, and, under his Leading, People\nare brought to a Stability; and, where he doth not lead forward, we are\nbound, in the Bonds of pure Love, to stand still and wait upon him. In\nthe Love of Money, and in the Wisdom of this World, Business is\nproposed; then the Urgency of Affairs pushes forward; nor can the Mind\nin this State, discern the good and perfect Will of God concerning us.\n\nThe Love of God is manifested in graciously calling us to come out of\nthat which stands in Confusion: But, if we bow not in the Name of Jesus;\nif we give not up those Prospects of Gain, which, in the Wisdom of this\nWorld, are open before us, but say, in our Hearts, I must needs go on,\nand, in going on, I hope to keep as near to the Purity of Truth as the\nBusiness before me will admit of; here the Mind remains entangled, and\nthe Shining of the Light of Life into the Soul is obstructed.\n\nIn an entire Subjection of our Wills the Lord graciously opens a Way for\nhis People, where all their Wants are bounded by his Wisdom; and here we\nexperience the Substance of what _Moses_ the Prophet figured out in the\nWater of Separation, as a Purification from Sin.\n\n_Esau_ is mentioned as a Child red all over, like a hairy Garment: In\n_Esau_ is represented the natural Will of Man. In preparing the Water of\nSeparation, a red Heifer, without Blemish, on which there had been no\nYoke, was to be slain, and her Blood sprinkled by the Priest seven Times\ntoward the Tabernacle of the Congregation; then her Skin, her Flesh, and\nall pertaining to her, were to be burnt without the Camp; and of her\nAshes the Water was prepared. Thus the crucifying the old Man, or\nnatural Will, is represented; and hence comes a Separation from that\ncarnal Mind, which is Death.\n\n\"He who toucheth the dead Body of a Man, and purifieth not himself with\nthe Water of Separation, he defileth the Tabernacle of the Lord; he is\nunclean.\" _Numb._ xix. 13.\n\nIf any, through the Love of Gain, go forth into Business, wherein they\ndwell as amongst the Tombs, and touch the Bodies of those who are dead;\nif these, through the infinite Love of God feel the Power of the Cross\nof Christ to crucify them to the World, and therein learn humbly to\nfollow the divine Leader;--here is the Judgment of this World;--here the\nPrince of this World is cast out.\n\nThe Water of Separation is felt; and, though we have been amongst the\nSlain, and, through the Desire of Gain, have touched the dead Body of a\nMan, yet, in the purifying Love of Christ, we are washed in the Water of\nSeparation; are brought off from that Business, from that Gain, and from\nthat Fellowship, which was not agreeable to his holy Will: And I have\nfelt a renewed Confirmation, in the Time of this Voyage, that the Lord,\nin his infinite Love, is calling to his visited Children, so to give up\nall outward Possessions and Means of getting Treasures, that his holy\nSpirit may have free Course in their Hearts, and direct them in all\ntheir Proceedings.\n\nTo feel the Substance pointed at in this Figure, Man must know Death, as\nto his own Will.\n\n\"No Man can see God, and live.\" This was spoken by the Almighty to\n_Moses_ the Prophet, and opened by our blessed Redeemer.\n\nAs Death comes on our own Wills, and a new Life is formed in us, the\nHeart is purified and prepared to understand clearly. \"Blessed are the\nPure in Heart; for they shall see God.\" In Purity of Heart the Mind is\ndivinely opened to behold the Nature of universal Righteousness, or the\nRighteousness of the Kingdom of God. \"No Man hath seen the Father, save\nhe that is of God; he hath seen the Father.\"\n\nThe natural Mind is active about the Things of this Life; and, in this\nnatural Activity, Business is proposed, and a Will in us to go forward\nin it. As long as this natural Will remains unsubjected, so long there\nremains an Obstruction against the Clearness of divine Light operating\nin us; but when we love God with all our Heart, and with all our\nStrength, then in this Love, we love our Neighbours as ourselves; and a\nTenderness of Heart is felt toward all People for whom Christ died, even\nsuch who, as to outward Circumstances, may be to us as the _Jews_ were\nto the _Samaritans_. Who is my Neighbour? See this Question answered by\nour Saviour, _Luke_ x. 30.\n\nIn this Love we can say, that Jesus is the Lord; and the Reformation in\nour Souls is manifested in a full Reformation of our Lives, wherein all\nThings are new, and all Things are of God; _2 Cor._ v. 18. in this the\nDesire of Gain is subjected.\n\nWhen Employment is honestly followed in the Light of Truth, and People\nbecome diligent in Business, \"fervent in Spirit, serving the Lord;\"\n_Rom._ xii. 11. here the Name is opened: \"This is the Name by which he\nshall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.\" _Jerem._ xxiii. 6. O! how\nprecious is this Name! it is like Ointment poured out. The chaste\nVirgins are in Love with the Redeemer; and, for the promoting his\npeaceable Kingdom in the World, are content to endure Hardness, like\ngood Soldiers; and are so separated in Spirit from the Desire of Riches,\nthat in their Employments they become extensively careful to give none\nOffence, neither to _Jews_ nor _Heathen_, nor the Church of Christ.\n\nOn the thirty-first Day of the Month, and first of the Week, we had a\nMeeting in the Cabbin, with near all the Ship's Company; the Whole being\nnear thirty. In this Meeting, the Lord, in Mercy, favoured us with the\nExtendings of his Love.\n\nThe second Day of the sixth Month. Last Evening the Seamen found Bottom\nat about seventy Fathoms.\n\nThis Morning, fair Wind, and pleasant. As I sat on Deck, my Heart was\novercome with the Love of Christ, and melted into Contrition before him;\nand, in this State, the Prospect of that Work, to which I have felt my\nMind drawn when in my native Land, being in some Degree opened before\nme, I felt like a little Child: and my Cries were put up to my heavenly\nFather for Preservation, that, in a humble Dependence on him, my Soul\nmight be strengthened in his Love, and kept inwardly waiting for his\nCounsel.\n\nThis Afternoon we saw that Part of _England_ called the _Lizard_.\n\nSome Dunghill-fowls yet remained of those the Passengers took for their\nSea-store; I believe about fourteen perished in the Storms at Sea, by\nthe Waves breaking over the Quarter-deck; and a considerable Number with\nSickness, at different Times. I observed the Cocks crew, coming down the\n_Delaware_, and while we were near the Land; but afterward I think I did\nnot hear one of them crow till we came near the Land in _England_, when\nthey again crowed a few Times.\n\nIn observing their dull Appearance at Sea, and the pining Sickness of\nsome of them, I often remembered the Fountain of Goodness, who gave\nBeing to all Creatures, and whose Love extends to that of caring for the\nSparrows; and believe, where the Love of God is verily perfected, and\nthe true Spirit of Government watchfully attended to, a Tenderness\ntoward all Creatures made subject to us will be experienced, and a Care\nfelt in us, that we do not lessen that Sweetness of Life, in the animal\nCreation, which the great Creator intends for them in our Government.\n\nThe fourth Day of the Month. About Noon a Pilot came off from _Dover_;\nwhere my beloved Friend, SAMUEL EMLEN, went on Shore, and thence to\n_London_; but I felt easy in staying in the Ship.\n\nThe seventh Day of the Month, and first of the Week. Clear Morning; we\nlay at Anchor for the Tide, and had a Parting-meeting with the Ship's\nCompany; in which my Heart was enlarged in a fervent Concern for them,\nthat they may come to experience Salvation through Christ. We had a\nHead-Wind up the _Thames_; lay sometimes at Anchor; saw many Ships\npassing, and some at Anchor near; and had large Opportunity of feeling\nthe Spirit in which the poor bewildered Sailors too generally\nlive.--That lamentable Degeneracy, which so much prevails on the People\nemployed on the Seas, so affected my Heart, that I cannot easily convey\nthe Feeling I have had to another.\n\n\nCHAPTER XI\n\n    _His attending the Yearly-meeting in_ London; _and, after it,\n    proceeding towards_ Yorkshire, _visiting several Quarterly and other\n    Meetings in the Counties of_ Hertford, Warwick, Oxford, Nottingham,\n    York, _and_ Westmoreland; _and thence again into_ Yorkshire, _and to\n    the City of_ York; _with some instructive Thoughts and Observations,\n    and Letters on divers Subjects_--_His hearing of the Decease of_\n    WILLIAM HUNT; _and some Account of him_--_His Sickness at_ York;\n    _and End of his Pilgrimage there_\n\nOn the eighth Day of the sixth Month, 1772, we landed at _London_; and I\nwent straightway to the Yearly-meeting of Ministers and Elders, which\nhad been gathered (I suppose) about half an Hour.\n\nIn this Meeting my Mind was humbly contrite: In the Afternoon the\nMeeting of Business opened; which, by Adjournments, held near a Week. In\nthese Meetings I often felt a living Concern for the Establishment of\nFriends in the pure Life of Truth; and my Heart was enlarged in the\nMeeting of Ministers, Meeting of Business, and in several Meetings of\npublick Worship; and I felt my Mind united in true Love to the faithful\nLabourers now gathered at this Yearly-meeting.\n\nOn the fifteenth Day of the Month, I left _London_, and went to a\nQuarterly-meeting at _Hertford_.\n\nThe first Day of the seventh Month. I have been at Quarterly-meetings at\n_Sherrington_, _Northampton_, _Banbury_, and _Shipston_; and had sundry\nMeetings between: My Mind hath been bowed under a Sense of divine\nGoodness manifested amongst us; my Heart hath been often enlarged in\ntrue Love, both amongst Ministers and Elders, and in publick Meetings;\nthat through the Lord's Goodness, I believe it hath been a fresh\nVisitation to many, in particular to the Youth.\n\nThe seventeenth Day of the Month. Was this Day at _Birmingham_: Have\nbeen at Meetings at _Coventry_, _Warwick_, in _Oxfordshire_, and sundry\nother Places; have felt the humbling Hand of the Lord upon me; and\nthrough his tender Mercies find Peace in the Labours I have gone\nthrough.\n\nThe twenty-sixth Day of the Month. I have continued travelling\nnorthward, visiting Meetings: Was this Day at _Nottingham_; which, in\nthe Forenoon especially, was, through divine Love, a Heart-tendering\nSeason: Next Day had a Meeting in a Friend's House with Friends Children\nand some Friends; this, through the strengthening Arm of the Lord, was a\nTime to be thankfully remembered.\n\nThe second Day of the eighth Month, and first of the Week. Was this Day\nat _Sheffield_, a large inland Town: Have been at sundry Meetings last\nWeek; and feel inward Thankfulness for that divine Support, which hath\nbeen graciously extended to me.\n\nThe ninth Day of the Month, and first of the Week, was at _Rushworth_:\nHave lately passed through some painful Labour; but have been comforted,\nunder a Sense of that divine Visitation, which I feel extended toward\nmany young People.\n\nThe sixteenth Day of the Month, and first of the Week, I was at\n_Settle_: It hath of late been a Time of inward Poverty; under which my\nMind hath been preserved in a watchful tender State, feeling for the\nMind of the holy Leader, and I find Peace in the Labours I have passed\nthrough.\n\nI have felt great Distress of Mind, since I came on this Island, on\nAccount of the Members of our Society being mixed with the World in\nvarious Sorts of Business and Traffick, carried on in impure Channels.\nGreat is the Trade to _Africa_ for Slaves! and, in loading these Ships,\nabundance of People are employed in the Factories; amongst whom are many\nof our Society. Friends, in early Times, refused, on a religious\nPrinciple, to make, or trade in, Superfluities; of which we have many\nlarge Testimonies on Record; but, for Want of Faithfulness, some gave\nway; even some, whose Examples were of Note in our Society; and from\nthence others took more Liberty. Members of our Society worked in\nSuperfluities, and bought and sold them; and thus Dimness of Sight came\nover many: At length, Friends got into the Use of some Superfluities in\nDress, and in the Furniture of their Houses; and this hath spread from\nless to more, till Superfluity of some Kinds is common amongst us.\n\nIn this declining State, many look at the Example one of another, and\ntoo much neglect the pure Feeling of Truth. Of late Years, a deep\nExercise hath attended my Mind, that Friends may dig deep, may carefully\ncast forth the loose Matter, and get down to the Rock, the sure\nFoundation, and there hearken to that divine Voice which gives a clear\nand certain Sound; and I have felt in that which doth not deceive, that\nif Friends, who have known the Truth, keep in that Tenderness of Heart,\nwhere all Views of outward Gain are given up, and their Trust is only on\nthe Lord, he will graciously lead some to be Patterns of deep\nSelf-denial in Things relating to Trade and Handicraft-labour; and that\nsome, who have plenty of the Treasures of this World, will example in a\nplain frugal Life, and pay Wages, to such as they may hire, more\nliberally than is now customary in some Places.\n\nThe twenty-third Day of the Month. Was this Day at _Preston-Patrick_,\nand had a comfortable Meeting. I have, several Times, been entertained\nat the Houses of Friends, who had sundry Things about them which had the\nAppearance of outward Greatness; and, as I have kept inward, Way hath\nopened for Conversation with such in private, in which Divine Goodness\nhath favoured us together with heart-tendering Times.\n\nI rested a few Days, in Body and Mind, with our Friend JANE CROSFIELD;\nwho was once in _America_: Was, on the sixth Day of the Week, at\n_Kendal_ in _Westmoreland_; and at _Greyrig_ Meeting the thirtieth Day\nof the Month, and first of the Week.\n\nI have known Poverty of late, and been graciously supported to keep in\nthe Patience; and am thankful, under a Sense of the Goodness of the Lord\ntoward those that are of a contrite Spirit.\n\nThe sixth Day of the ninth Month, and first of the Week. Was this Day at\n_Counterside_, a large Meeting-house, and very full; and, through the\nOpening of pure Love, it was a strengthening Time to me, and (I believe)\nto many more.\n\nThe thirteenth Day of the Month. Was this Day at _Richmond_, a small\nMeeting; but, the Town's People coming in, the House was crowded: It was\na Time of heavy Labour; and (I believe) was a profitable Meeting.\n\nAt this Place I heard that my Kinsman WILLIAM HUNT, from\n_North-Carolina_, who was on a religious Visit to Friends in _England_,\ndeparted this Life on the ninth Day of the ninth Month, Instant, of the\nSmall-pox, at _Newcastle_.--He appeared in the Ministry when a Youth;\nand his Labours therein were of good Savour. He travelled much in that\nWork in _America_. I once heard him say, in publick Testimony, that his\nConcern was (in that Visit) to be devoted to the Service of Christ so\nfully, that he might not spend one Minute in pleasing himself: Which\nWords, joined with his Example, were a Means of stirring up the pure\nMind in me.\n\nOn this Visit to _England_ I have felt some Instructions sealed on my\nMind, which I am concerned to leave in Writing, for the Use of such as\nare called to the Station of a Minister of Christ.\n\nChrist being the Prince of Peace, and we being no more than Ministers, I\nfind it necessary for us, not only to feel a Concern in our first going\nforth, but to experience the renewing thereof, in the Appointment of\nMeetings.\n\nI felt a Concern, in _America_, to prepare for this Voyage; and, being,\nthrough the Mercy of God, brought safe here, my Heart was like a Vessel\nthat wanted Vent; and for several Weeks, at first, when my Mouth was\nopened in Meetings, it often felt like the raising of a Gate in a\nWater-course, where a Weight of Water lay upon it; and in these Labours\nthere appeared a fresh Visitation to many, especially the Youth; but\nsometimes, after this, I felt empty and poor, and yet felt a Necessity\nto appoint Meetings.\n\nIn this State I was exercised to abide in the pure Life of Truth, and\nin all my Labours to watch diligently against the Motions of Self in my\nown Mind.\n\nI have frequently felt a Necessity to stand up, when the Spring of the\nMinistry was low; and to speak from the Necessity, in that which\nsubjecteth the Will of the Creature; and herein I was united with the\nsuffering Seed, and found inward Sweetness with these mortifying\nLabours.\n\nAs I have been preserved in a watchful Attention to the divine Leader,\nunder these Dispensations, Enlargement at Times hath followed, and the\nPower of Truth hath risen higher, in some Meetings, than I ever knew it\nbefore through me.\n\nThus I have been more and more instructed, as to the Necessity of\ndepending, not upon a Concern which I felt in _America_, to come on a\nVisit to _England_, but upon the fresh Instructions of Christ, the\nPrince of Peace, from Day to Day.\n\nNow, of late, I felt a Stop in the Appointment of Meetings, not wholly,\nbut in Part; and I do not feel Liberty to appoint them so quick one\nafter another as I have heretofore.\n\nThe Work of the Ministry being a Work of divine Love, I feel that the\nOpenings thereof are to be waited for, in all our Appointments.\n\nO! how deep is divine Wisdom! Christ puts forth his Ministers, and goeth\nbefore them: And O! how great is the Danger of departing from the pure\nFeeling of that which leadeth safely!\n\nChrist knoweth the State of the People; and, in the pure Feeling of the\nGospel-Ministry, their States are opened to his Servants.\n\nChrist knoweth when the Fruit-bearing Branches themselves have Need of\npurging.\n\nO! that these Lessons may be remembered by me! and that all who appoint\nMeetings may proceed in the pure Feeling of Duty.\n\nI have sometimes felt a Necessity to stand up; but that Spirit which is\nof the World hath so much prevailed in many, and the pure Life of Truth\nbeen so pressed down, that I have gone forward, not as one travelling\nin a Road cast up and well prepared, but as a Man walking through a Miry\nplace, in which are Stones here and there, safe to step on, but so\nsituated, that, one Step being taken, Time is necessary to see where to\nstep next.\n\nNow I find that, in the pure Obedience, the Mind learns Contentment, in\nappearing weak and foolish to that Wisdom which is of the World; and in\nthese lowly Labours, they who stand in a low Place, rightly exercised\nunder the Cross, will find Nourishment.\n\nThe Gift is pure; and, while the Eye is single in attending thereto, the\nUnderstanding is preserved clear: Self is kept out. We rejoice in\nfilling up that which remains of the Afflictions of Christ, for his\nBody's Sake, which is the Church.\n\nThe natural Man loveth Eloquence, and many love to hear eloquent\nOrations; and, if there is not a careful Attention to the Gift, Men who\nhave once laboured in the pure Gospel-ministry, growing weary of\nSuffering, and ashamed of appearing weak, may kindle a Fire, compass\nthemselves about with Sparks, and walk in the Light; not of Christ who\nis under Suffering; but of that Fire which they, going from the Gift,\nhave kindled; and that in Hearers, which is gone from the meek suffering\nState, into the worldly Wisdom, may be warmed with this Fire, and speak\nhighly of these Labours. That which is of God gathers to God; and that\nwhich is of the World is owned by the World.\n\nIn this Journey a Labour hath attended my Mind, that the Ministers\namongst us may be preserved in the meek feeling Life of Truth, where we\nmay have no Desire but to follow Christ and be with him; that, when he\nis under Suffering, we may suffer with him, and never desire to rise up\nin Dominion, but as he, by the Virtue of his own Spirit, may raise us.\n\n       *       *       *       *       *\n\nA few Days after writing these Considerations, our dear Friend, in the\nCourse of his religious Visits, came to the City of _York_, and attended\nmost of the Sittings of the Quarterly-meeting there; but, before it was\nover, was taken ill of the Small-pox. Our Friend, THOMAS PRIESTMAN, and\nothers who attended him, preserved the following Minutes of his\nExpressions in the Time of his Sickness and of his Decease.\n\nFirst-day, the twenty-seventh of the ninth Month, 1772. His Disorder\nappeared to be the Small-pox.\n\nSecond-day. He said he felt the Disorder to affect his Head, so that he\ncould think little, and but as a Child.\n\nThird-day he uttered the following Prayer.--O Lord my God! the amazing\nHorrors of Darkness were gathered around me and covered me all over, and\nI saw no Way to go forth; I felt the Depth and Extent of the Misery of\nmy Fellow-creatures separated from the divine Harmony, and it was\nheavier than I could bear, and I was crushed down under it; I lifted up\nmy Hand, I stretched out my Arm, but there was none to help me; I looked\nround about and was amazed; in the Depths of Misery, O Lord! I\nremembered that thou art omnipotent, that I had called thee Father, and\nI felt that I loved thee, and I was made quiet in thy Will, and I waited\nfor Deliverance from thee; thou hadst Pity upon me when no Man could\nhelp me: I saw that Meekness under Suffering was shewed to us in the\nmost affecting Example of thy Son, and thou taughtest me to follow him,\nand I said, \"Thy Will, O Father! be done.\"\n\nFourth-day-morning, being asked how he felt himself, he meekly answered,\nI do not know that I have slept this Night, I feel the Disorder making\nits Progress, but my Mind is mercifully preserved in Stillness and\nPeace: Sometime after he said he was sensible the Pains of Death must be\nhard to bear; but, if he escaped them now, he must sometime pass through\nthem, and he did not know that he could be better prepared, but had no\nWill in it. He said he had settled his outward Affairs to his Mind, had\ntaken Leave of his Wife and Family as never to return, leaving them to\nthe divine Protection; adding, and though I feel them near to me at this\nTime, yet I freely give them up, having a Hope that they will be\nprovided for. And a little after said, This Trial is made easier than I\ncould have thought, my Will being wholly taken away; for if I were\nanxious for the Event, it would have been harder; but I am not, and my\nMind enjoys a perfect Calm.\n\nIn the Night a young Woman having given him something to drink, he said,\nMy Child, thou seemest very kind to me, a poor Creature, the Lord will\nreward thee for it. A While after he cried out with great Earnestness of\nSpirit, O my Father! my Father! and soon after he said, O my Father! my\nFather! how comfortable art thou to my Soul in this trying Season! Being\nasked if he could take a little Nourishment; after some Pause he\nreplied, my Child, I cannot tell what to say to it; I seem nearly\narrived where my Soul shall have Rest from all its Troubles. After\ngiving in something to be inserted in his Journal, he said, I believe\nthe Lord will now excuse me from Exercises of this Kind; and I see no\nWork but one, which is to be the last wrought by me in this World; the\nMessenger will come that will release me from all these Troubles; but it\nmust be in the Lord's Time, which I am waiting for. He said he had\nlaboured to do whatever was required, according to the Ability received,\nin the Remembrance of which he had Peace; and, though the Disorder was\nstrong at Times, and would like a Whirlwind come over his Mind, yet it\nhad hitherto been kept steady, and centered in everlasting Love; adding,\nand if that be mercifully continued, I ask nor desire no more. Another\nTime he said, he had long had a view of visiting this Nation, and,\nsometime before he came, had a Dream, in which he saw himself in the\nnorthern Parts of it, and that the Spring of the Gospel was opened in\nhim much as in the Beginning of Friends, such as GEORGE FOX and WILLIAM\nDEWSBERRY, and he saw the different States of the People, as clear as he\nhad ever seen Flowers in a Garden; but in his going along he was\nsuddenly stopt, though he could not see for what End; but, looking\ntowards Home, fell into a Flood of Tears which waked him.\n\nAt another Time he said, My Draught seemed strongest towards the North,\nand I mentioned, in my own Monthly-meeting, that attending the\nQuarterly-meeting at _York_, and being there, looked like Home to me.\n\nFifth-day-night, having repeatedly consented to take Medicine with a\nView to settle his Stomach, but without Effect, the Friend, then waiting\non him, said, through Distress, What shall I do now? He answered with\ngreat Composure, Rejoice evermore, and in every Thing give Thanks; but\nadded a little after, this is sometimes hard to come at.\n\nSixth-day-morning, he broke forth early in Supplication on this wise: O\nLord! it was thy Power that enabled me to forsake Sin in my Youth, and I\nhave felt thy Bruises for Disobedience; but, as I bowed under them, thou\ndidst heal me, continuing a Father and a Friend: I feel thy Power now,\nand I beg that, in the approaching trying Moment, thou wilt keep my\nHeart stedfast unto thee.----Upon his giving Directions to a Friend\nconcerning some little Things, she said, I will take Care, but hope thou\nwilt live to order them thyself. He replied, My Hope is in Christ; and,\nthough I may seem a little better, a Change in the Disorder may soon\nhappen, and my little Strength be dissolved; and, if it so happen, I\nshall be gathered to my everlasting Rest. On her saying she did not\ndoubt that, but could not help mourning to see so many faithful Servants\nremoved at so low a Time, he said, All Good cometh from the Lord, whose\nPower is the same, and can work as he sees best. The same Day he had\ngiven Directions about wrapping his Corpse, perceiving a Friend to weep,\nhe said, I would rather thou wouldst guard against weeping for me, my\nSister; I sorrow not, though I have had some painful Conflicts; but now\nthey seem over, and Matters well settled, and I look at the Face of my\ndear Redeemer; for sweet is his Voice, and his Countenance is comely.\n\nFirst-day, fourth of the tenth Month, being very weak, and in general\ndifficult to be understood, he uttered a few Words in Commemoration of\nthe Lord's Goodness, and added, How tenderly have I been waited on in\nthis Time of Affliction! in which I may say, in JOB'S Words, Tedious\nDays and wearisome Nights are appointed unto me: And how many are\nspending their Time and Money in Vanity and Superfluities, while\nthousands and tens of thousands want the Necessaries of Life, who might\nbe relieved by them, and their Distresses, at such a Time as this, in\nsome degree softened, by the administering suitable Things!\n\nSecond-day-morning, the Apothecary, who appeared very anxious to assist\nhim, being present, he queried about the Probability of such a Load of\nMatter being thrown off his weak Body; and, the Apothecary making some\nRemarks implying he thought it might, he spoke with an audible Voice on\nthis wise:--My Dependance is on the Lord Jesus, who, I trust, will\nforgive my Sins, which is all I hope for; and, if it be his Will to\nraise up this Body again, I am content; and, if to die, I am resigned;\nand, if thou canst not be easy without trying to assist Nature, I\nsubmit. After which his Throat was so much affected, that it was very\ndifficult for him to speak so as to be understood; and he frequently\nwrote when he wanted any Thing. About the second Hour, on Fourth-day\nMorning, he asked for Pen and Ink, and, at several Times, with much\nDifficulty, wrote thus: I believe my being here is in the Wisdom of\nChrist; I know not as to Life or Death.\n\nAbout a Quarter before six, the same Morning, he seemed to fall into an\neasy Sleep, which continued about Half an Hour; when, seeming to awake,\nhe breathed a few Times with more Difficulty, and expired, without Sigh,\nGroan, or Struggle!\n\n\nEND OF THE JOURNAL\n\n\n\n\nTHE LAST EPISTLE & OTHER WRITINGS OF JOHN WOOLMAN\n\n\nTHE INTRODUCTION\n\nMy Mind hath often been affected with Sorrow, on Account of the\nprevailing of that Spirit, which leads from an humble waiting on the\ninward Teaching of Christ, to pursue Ways of Living, attended with\nunnecessary Labour, and which draws forth the Minds of many People to\nseek after outward Power, and to strive for Riches, which frequently\nintroduce Oppression, and bring forth Wars and grievous Calamities.\n\nIt is with Reverence that I acknowledge the Mercies of our Heavenly\nFather, who, in Infinite Love, did visit me in my Youth, and wrought a\nBelief in me, that through true Obedience a State of inward Purity may\nbe known in this Life, in which we may love Mankind in the same Love\nwith which our Redeemer loveth us, and therein learn Resignation to\nendure Hardships, for the real Good of others.\n\n_While the Eye is single, the whole Body is full of Light_, Mat. vi. 22.\nbut for want of this, selfish Desires, and an imaginary Superiority,\ndarken the Mind; hence Injustice frequently proceeds; and where this is\nthe Case, to convince the Judgment, is the most effectual Remedy.\n\nWhere violent Measures are pursued in opposing Injustice, the Passions,\nand Resentments, of the Injured, frequently operate in the Prosecution\nof their Designs; and after Conflicts productive of very great\nCalamities, the Minds of contending Parties often remain as little\nacquainted with the pure Principle of Divine Love, as they were before;\nbut where People walk in that pure Light in which all their _Works are\nwrought in God_, John iii. 21. and under Oppression persevere in the\nmeek Spirit, and abide firm in the Cause of Truth, without actively\ncomplying with oppressive Demands, through those the Lord hath often\nmanifested his Power, in opening the Understandings of others, to the\npromoting Righteousness in the Earth.\n\nA Time, I believe, is coming, wherein this Divine Work will so spread\nand prevail, that _Nation shall not lift up Sword against Nation, nor\nlearn War any more_, Isaiah ii. 4. And as we, through the tender Mercies\nof God, do feel that this precious Work is begun, I am concerned to\nencourage my Brethren and Sisters in a Holy Care and Diligence, that\neach of us may so live, under the sanctifying Power of Truth, as to be\nredeemed from all unnecessary Cares; that our Eye being single to him,\nno Customs, however prevalent, which are contrary to the Wisdom from\nabove, may hinder us from faithfully following his Holy Leadings, in\nwhatsoever he may graciously appoint for us.\n\n\n\n\nCONSIDERATIONS ON PURE WISDOM AND HUMAN POLICY\n\n\nTo have our Trust settled in the Lord, and not to seek after, nor desire\noutward Treasures, any further than his Holy Spirit leads us therein, is\na happy State, as saith the Prophet, _Blessed is the Man that trusteth\nin the Lord, and whose Hope the Lord is_.\n\nPure Wisdom leads People into Lowliness of Mind, in which they learn\nResignation to the Divine Will, and Contentment in suffering for his\nCause, when they cannot keep a clear Conscience without suffering.\n\nIn this pure Wisdom the Mind is attentive to the Root, and original\nSpring of Motions and Desires; and as we know _the Lord to be our\nRefuge_, and find no Safety but in humbly walking before him, we feel an\nHoly Engagement, that every Desire which leads therefrom may be brought\nto Judgment.\n\nWhile we proceed in this precious Way, and find ardent Longings for a\nfull Deliverance from every thing which defiles, all Prospects of Gain,\nthat are not consistent with the Wisdom from above, are considered as\nSnares, and an inward Concern is felt, that we may live under the Cross,\nand faithfully attend to that Holy Spirit, which is sufficient to\npreserve out of them.\n\nWhen I have considered that Saying of Christ, _Mat._ vi. 19, _Lay not up\nfor yourselves Treasures upon Earth_, his Omnipotence hath often\noccurred to my Mind.\n\nWhile we believe that he is every where present with his People, and\nthat perfect Goodness, Wisdom and Power are united in him, how\ncomfortable is the Consideration.\n\nOur Wants may be great, but his Power is greater. We may be oppressed\nand despised, but he is able to turn our patient Sufferings into Profit\nto ourselves, and to the Advancement of his Work on Earth. His People,\nwho feel the Power of his Cross, to crucify all that is selfish in them,\nwho are engaged in outward Concerns, from a Convincement that it is\ntheir Duty, and resign themselves, and their Treasures, to him; these\nfeel that it is dangerous to give way to that in us, which craves Riches\nand Greatness in this World.\n\nAs the Heart truly contrite, earnestly desires _to know Christ, and the\nFellowship of his Sufferings_, Phil. iii. 10. so far as the Lord for\ngracious Ends may lead into them; as such feel that it is their Interest\nto put their Trust in God, and to seek no Gain but that which he, by his\nHoly Spirit, leads into; so, on the contrary, they who do not reverently\nwait for this Divine Teacher, and are not humbly concerned, according to\ntheir Measure, _to fill up that which is behind of the Afflictions of\nChrist_, Col. i. 24. in patiently suffering for the promoting\nRighteousness in the Earth; but have an Eye toward the Power of Men, and\nthe outward Advantage of Wealth, these are often attentive to those\nEmployments which appear profitable, even though the Gains arise from\nsuch Trade and Business which proceeds from the Workings of that Spirit,\nwhich is estranged from the self-denying Life of an humble contrite\n_Christian_.\n\nWhile I write on this Subject, I feel my Mind tenderly affected toward\nthose honestly disposed People, who have been brought up in Employments\nattended with those Difficulties.\n\nTo such I may say, in the feeling of our Heavenly Father's Love, and\nnumber myself with you, O that our Eyes may be single to the Lord! May\nwe reverently wait on him for Strength, to lay aside all unnecessary\nExpence of every Kind, and learn Contentment, in a plain simple Life.\n\nMay we, in Lowliness, submit to the Leadings of his Spirit, and enter\nupon any outward Employ which he graciously points out to us, and then\nwhatever Difficulties arise, in Consequence of our Faithfulness, I trust\nthey will work for our Good.\n\nSmall Treasure to a resigned Mind is sufficient. How happy is it to be\ncontent with a little, to live in Humility, and feel that in us, which\nbreathes out this Language, Abba! Father.\n\nIf that, called the Wisdom of this World, had no Resemblance of true\nWisdom, the Name of Wisdom, I suppose, had not been given to it.\n\nAs wasting outward Substance, to gratify vain Desires, on one hand; so\nSlothfulness and Neglect, on the other, do often involve Men and their\nFamilies in Trouble, and reduce them to Want and Distress; to shun both\nthese opposite Vices, is good in itself, and hath a Resemblance of\nWisdom; but while People thus provident, have it principally in View to\nget Riches, and Power, and the Friendship of this World, and do not\nhumbly wait for the Spirit of Truth to lead them into Purity; these,\nthrough an anxious Care to obtain the End desired, reach forth for Gain\nin worldly Wisdom, and, in regard to their inward State, fall into\ndivers Temptations and Snares. And though such may think of applying\nWealth to good Purposes, and to use their Power to prevent Oppression,\nyet Wealth and Power is often applied otherwise; nor can we depart from\nthe Leadings of our Holy Shepherd, without going into Confusion.\n\nGreat Wealth is frequently attended with Power, which nothing but Divine\nLove can qualify the Mind to use rightly; and as to the Humility, and\nUprightness of our Children after us, how great is the Uncertainty! If,\nin acquiring Wealth, we take hold on the Wisdom which is from beneath,\nand depart from the Leadings of Truth, and Example our Children herein,\nwe have great Cause to apprehend, that Wealth may be a Snare to them;\nand prove an Injury to others, over whom their Wealth may give them\nPower.\n\nTo be redeemed from that Wisdom which is from beneath, and walk in the\nLight of the Lord, is a precious Situation; thus his People are brought\nto put their Trust in him; and in this humble Confidence in his Wisdom,\nGoodness and Power, the Righteous find a Refuge in Adversities, superior\nto the greatest outward Helps, and a Comfort more certain than any\nworldly Advantages can afford.\n\n\nON LABOUR\n\nHaving from my Childhood been used to Bodily Labour for a Living, I may\nexpress my Experience therein.\n\nRight Exercise affords an innocent Pleasure in the Time of it, and\nprepares us to enjoy the Sweetness of Rest; but from the Extremes each\nWay, arise Inconveniences.\n\nModerate Exercise opens the Pores, gives the Blood a lively Circulation,\nand the better enables us to judge rightly respecting that Portion of\nLabour which is the true Medium.\n\n_The Fowls of the Air sow not, nor gather into Barns, yet our Heavenly\nFather feedeth them_, Mat. vi. 26. nor do I believe that Infinite\nGoodness and Power would have allotted Labour to us, had he not seen\nthat Labour was proper for us in this Life.\n\nThe original Design, and true Medium of Labour, is a Subject that, to\nme, appears worthy of our serious Consideration.\n\nIdle Men are often a Burden to themselves, neglect the Duty they owe to\ntheir Families, and become burdensome to others also.\n\nAs outward Labour, directed by the Wisdom from above, tends to our\nHealth, and adds to our Happiness in this Life; so, on the contrary,\nentering upon it in a selfish Spirit, and pursuing it too long, or too\nhard, hath a contrary Effect.\n\nI have observed, that too much Labour not only makes the Understanding\ndull, but so intrudes upon the Harmony of the Body, that after ceasing\nfrom our Toil, we have another to pass through, before we can be so\ncomposed as to enjoy the Sweetness of Rest.\n\nFrom too much Labour in the Heat, frequently proceeds immoderate Sweats,\nwhich do often, I believe, open the Way for Disorders, and impair our\nConstitutions.\n\nWhen we go beyond the true Medium, and feel Weariness approaching, but\nthink Business may suffer if we cease, at such a Time spirituous Liquors\nare frequently taken, with a View to support Nature under these\nFatigues.\n\nI have found that too much Labour in the Summer heats the Blood, that\ntaking strong Drink to support the Body under such Labour, increaseth\nthat Heat, and though a Person may be so far temperate as not to\nmanifest the least Disorder, yet the Mind, in such a Circumstance, doth\nnot retain that Calmness and Serenity which we should endeavour to live\nin.\n\nThus toiling in the Heat, and drinking strong Liquor, makes Men more\nresolute, and less considerate, and tends very much to disqualify from\nsuccessfully following him who is meek and low of Heart.\n\nAs laying out Business, more than is consistent with pure Wisdom, is an\nEvil, so this Evil frequently leads into more. Too much Business leads\nto Hurry. In the Hurry and Toil too much strong Drink is often used, and\nhereby many proceed to Noise and Wantonness, and some, though more\nconsiderate, do often suffer Loss, as to a true Composedness of Mind.\n\nI feel sincere Desires in my Heart that no Rent, nor Interest, might be\nlaid so high as to be a Snare to Tenants. That no Desires of Gain may\ndraw any too far in Business. That no Cares to support Customs, which\nhave not their Foundation in pure Wisdom, may have Place in our Minds,\nbut that we may build on the sure Foundation, and feel our Holy Shepherd\nto lead us, who alone is able to preserve us, and bring forth from every\nThing which defiles.\n\nHaving several Times, in my Travels, had Opportunity to observe the\nLabour and Manner of Life of great Numbers of Slaves, it appears to me\nthat the true Medium is lamentably neglected by many, who assign them\ntheir Portion of Labour.\n\nWithout saying much at this Time, concerning buying and selling Men for\nTerm of Life, who have as just a Right to Liberty as we have; nor about\nthe great Miseries, and Effusion of Blood, consequent to promoting the\nSlave-trade, and to speak as favourably as may be, with regard to\ncontinuing those in Bondage who are amongst us, we cannot say there is\nno Partiality in it; for whatever Tenderness may be manifested by\nIndividuals in their Life-time towards them, yet for People to be\ntransmitted from a Man to his Posterity, in the helpless Condition of\nSlaves, appears inconsistent with the Nature of the Gospel Spirit. From\nsuch Proceedings it often follows, that Persons in the Decline of Life,\nare deprived of Monies equitably due to them, and committed to the Care,\nand subjected to the absolute Power of young unexperienced Men, who know\nbut little about the Weakness of old Age, nor understand the Language of\ndeclining Life.\n\nWhere Parents give their Estates to their Children, and then depend on\nthem for a Maintainance, they sometimes meet with great Inconveniences;\nbut if the Power of Possession, thus obtained, doth often reverse the\nObligations of Gratitude and filial Duty, and makes manifest, that Youth\nare often ignorant of the Language of old Age, how hard is the Case of\nancient Negroes, who, deprived of the Wages equitably due to them, are\nleft to young People, who have been used to look upon them as their\nInferiors.\n\nFor Men to behold the Fruits of their Labour withheld from them, and\npossessed by others, and in old Age find themselves destitute of those\ncomfortable Accommodations, and that tender Regard which their Time of\nLife requires:\n\nWhen they feel Pains and Stiffness in their Joints and Limbs, Weakness\nof Appetite, and that a little Labour is wearisome, and still behold\nthemselves in the neglected uncomfortable Condition of a Slave, and\noftentimes to a young unsympathising Man:\n\nFor Men to be thus treated from one Generation to another, who, besides\ntheir own Distresses, think on the Slavery entailed on their Posterity,\nand are grieved: What disagreeable Thoughts must they have of the\nprofessed Followers of Jesus! And how must their Groans ascend to that\nAlmighty Being, who _will be a Refuge for the Oppressed_, Psalm ix. 9.\n\n\nON SCHOOLS\n\n_Suffer the little Children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of\nsuch is the Kingdom of God_, Mark x. 14.\n\nTo encourage Children to do Things with a View to get Praise of Men, to\nme appears an Obstruction to their being inwardly acquainted with the\nSpirit of Truth. For it is the Work of the Holy Spirit to direct the\nMind of God, that in all our Proceedings we may have a single Eye to\nhim. To give Alms in secret, to fast in secret, and labour to keep clear\nof that Disposition reproved by our Saviour, _All their Works which they\ndo is for to be seen of Men_, Mat. xxiii. 5.\n\nThat Divine Light which enlightens all Men, I believe, does often shine\nin the Minds of Children very early, and to humbly wait for Wisdom, that\nour Conduct toward them may tend to forward their Acquaintance with it,\nand strengthen them in Obedience thereto, appears to me to be a Duty on\nall of us.\n\nBy cherishing the Spirit of Pride, and the Love of Praise in them, I\nbelieve they may sometimes improve faster in Learning, than otherwise\nthey would; but to take Measures to forward Children in Learning, which\nnaturally tend to divert their Minds from true Humility, appears to me\nto savour of the Wisdom of this World.\n\nIf Tutors are not acquainted with Sanctification of Spirit, nor\nexperienced in an humble waiting for the Leadings of Truth, but follow\nthe Maxims of the Wisdom of this World, such Children who are under\ntheir Tuition, appear to me to be in Danger of imbibing Thoughts, and\nApprehensions, reverse to that Meekness, and Lowliness of Heart, which\nis necessary for all the true Followers of Christ.\n\nChildren at an Age fit for Schools, are in a Time of Life which requires\nthe patient Attention of pious People, and if we commit them to the\nTuition of such, whose Minds we believe are not rightly prepared to\n_train them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord_, we are in\nDanger of not acting the Part of faithful Parents toward them; for our\nHeavenly Father doth not require us to do Evil, that Good may come of\nit; and it is needful that we deeply examine ourselves, lest we get\nentangled in the Wisdom of this World, and, through wrong Apprehensions,\ntake such Methods in Education, as may prove a great Injury to the Minds\nof our Children.\n\nIt is a lovely Sight to behold innocent Children; and when they are sent\nto such Schools where their tender Minds are in imminent Danger of being\nled astray by Tutors, who do not live a self-denying Life, or by the\nConversation of such Children who do not live in Innocence, it is a Case\nmuch to be lamented.\n\nWhile a pious Tutor hath the Charge of no more Children than he can take\ndue Care of, and keeps his Authority in the Truth, the good Spirit in\nwhich he leads and governs, works on the Minds of such who are not\nhardened, and his Labours not only tend to bring them forward in outward\nLearning, but to open their Understandings with respect to the true\n_Christian_ Life; but where a Person hath Charge of too many, and his\nThoughts and Time are so much employed in the outward Affairs of his\nSchool, that he does not so weightily attend to the Spirit and Conduct\nof each Individual, as to be enabled to administer rightly to all in due\nSeason; through such Omission he not only suffers, as to the State of\nhis own Mind, but the Minds of the Children are in Danger of suffering\nalso.\n\nTo watch the Spirit of Children, to nurture them in Gospel Love, and\nlabour to help them against that which would mar the Beauty of their\nMinds, is a Debt we owe them; and a faithful Performance of our Duty,\nnot only tends to their lasting Benefit, and our own Peace, but also to\nrender their Company agreeable to us.\n\nInstruction, thus administered, reaches the pure Witness in the Minds of\nsuch Children who are not hardened, and begets Love in them toward those\nwho thus lead them on; but where too great a Number are committed to a\nTutor, and he, through much Cumber, omits a careful Attention to the\nMinds of Children, there is Danger of Disorders gradually increasing\namongst them, till the Effects thereof appear in their Conduct, too\nstrong to be easily remedied.\n\nA Care hath lived on my Mind, that more Time might be employed by\nParents at Home, and by Tutors at School, in weightily attending to the\nSpirit and Inclinations of Children, and that we may so lead, instruct,\nand govern them, in this tender Part of Life, that nothing may be\nomitted in our Power, to help them on their Way to become the Children\nof our Father, who is in Heaven.\n\nMeditating on the Situation of Schools in our Provinces, my Mind hath,\nat Times, been affected with Sorrow, and under these Exercises it hath\nappeared to me, that if those who have large Estates, were faithful\nStewards, and laid no Rent, nor Interest, nor other Demands, higher than\nis consistent with universal Love; and those in lower Circumstances\nwould, under a moderate Employ, shun unnecessary Expence, even to the\nsmallest Article; and all unite in humbly seeking to the Lord, he would\ngraciously instruct us, and strengthen us, to relieve the Youth from\nvarious Snares, in which many of them are entangled.\n\n\nON THE RIGHT USE OF THE LORD'S OUTWARD GIFTS\n\nAs our Understandings are opened by the pure Light, we experience that,\nthrough an inward approaching to God, the Mind is strengthened in\nObedience; and that by gratifying those Desires which are not of his\nbegetting, those Approaches to him are obstructed, and the deceivable\nSpirit gains Strength.\n\nThese Truths, being as it were engraven upon our Hearts, and our\neverlasting Interest in Christ evidently concerned herein, we become\nfervently engaged, that nothing may be nourished which tends to feed\nPride or Self-love in us. Thus in pure Obedience, we are not only\ninstructed in our Duty to God, but also in the Affairs which necessarily\nrelate to this Life, and the Spirit of Truth which guides into all\nTruth, leavens the Mind with a pious Concern, that _whatsoever we do in\nWord or Deed, may be done in his Name_, Col. iii. 17.\n\nHence such Buildings, Furniture, Food, and Raiment, as best answer our\nNecessities, and are the least likely to feed that selfish Spirit which\nis our Enemy, are the most acceptable to us.\n\nIn this State the Mind is tender, and inwardly watchful, that the Love\nof Gain draw us not into any Business, which may weaken our Love to our\nHeavenly Father, or bring unnecessary Trouble to any of his Creatures.\n\nThus the Way gradually opens to cease from that Spirit which craves\nRiches and Things fetched far, which so mixeth with the Customs of this\nWorld, and so intrudes upon the true Harmony of Life, that the right\nMedium of Labour is very much departed from. And as the Minds of People\nare settled in a steady Concern, not to hold nor possess any Thing but\nwhat may be held consistent with the Wisdom from above, they consider\nwhat they possess as the Gift of God, and are inwardly exercised, that\nin all Parts of their Conduct they may act agreeable to the Nature of\nthe peaceable Government of Christ.\n\nA little supports such a Life; and in a State truly resigned to the\nLord, the Eye is single, to see what outward Employ he leads into, as a\nMeans of our Subsistence, and a lively Care is maintained to hold to\nthat without launching further.\n\nThere is a Harmony in the several Parts of this Divine Work in the\nHearts of People; he who leads them to cease from those gainful\nEmployments, carried on in that Wisdom which is from beneath, delivers\nalso from the Desire after worldly Greatness, and reconciles the Mind to\na Life so plain, that a little doth suffice.\n\nHere the real Comforts of Life are not lessened. Moderate Exercise, in\nthe Way of true Wisdom, is pleasant both to Mind and Body.\n\nFood and Raiment sufficient, though in the greatest Simplicity, is\naccepted with Content and Gratitude.\n\nThe mutual Love, subsisting between the faithful Followers of Christ, is\nmore pure than that Friendship which is not seasoned with Humility, how\nspecious soever the Appearance.\n\nWhere People depart from pure Wisdom in one Case, it is often an\nIntroduction to depart from it in many more; and thus a Spirit which\nseeks for outward Greatness, and leads into worldly Wisdom to attain it,\nand support it, gets Possession of the Mind.\n\nIn beholding the customary Departure from the true Medium of Labour, and\nthat unnecessary Toil which many go through, in supporting outward\nGreatness, and procuring Delicacies.\n\nIn beholding how the true Calmness of Life is changed into Hurry, and\nthat many, by eagerly pursuing outward Treasure, are in great Danger of\nwithering as to the inward State of the Mind.\n\nIn meditating on the Works of this Spirit, and on the Desolations it\nmakes amongst the Professors of _Christianity_, I may thankfully\nacknowledge, that I often feel pure Love beget Longings in my Heart, for\nthe Exaltation of the peaceable Kingdom of Christ, and an Engagement to\nlabour according to the Gift bestowed on me, for the promoting an\nhumble, plain, temperate Way of living. A Life where no unnecessary\nCare, nor Expences, may incumber our Minds, nor lessen our Ability to do\nGood; where no Desires after Riches, or Greatness, may lead into hard\nDealing; where no Connections with worldly-minded Men, may abate our\nLove to God, nor weaken a true Zeal for Righteousness. A Life wherein we\nmay diligently labour for Resignedness to do, and suffer, whatever our\nHeavenly Father may allot for us, in reconciling the World to himself.\n\nWhen the Prophet _Isaiah_ had uttered his Vision, and declared that a\nTime was coming wherein _Swords should be beat into Plowshares, and\nSpears into pruning Hooks, and that Nation shall not lift up Sword\nagainst Nation, nor learn War any more_; he immediately directs the\nMinds of People to the Divine Teacher, in this remarkable Language; _O\nHouse of_ Jacob! _come ye, and let us walk in the Light of the Lord_,\nIsaiah ii. 5.\n\nTo wait for the Direction of this Light, in all temporal as well as\nspiritual Concerns, appears necessary; for if in any Case we enter\nlightly into temporal Affairs, without feeling this Spirit of Truth to\nopen our Way therein, and through the Love of this World proceed on, and\nseek for Gain by that Business or Traffick, which _is not of the Father,\nbut of the World_, 1 John ii. 16 we fail in our Testimony to the Purity\nand Peace of his Government, and get into that which is for\nChastisement.\n\nThis Matter hath lain heavy on my Mind, it being evident, that a Life\nless humble, less simple and plain, than that which Christ leads his\nSheep into, does necessarily require a Support, which pure Wisdom does\nnot provide for; hence there is no Probability of our being _a peculiar\nPeople, so zealous of good Works, as to have no Fellowship with Works of\nDarkness_, Titus ii. 14. Ephes. v. 11. while we have Wants to supply\nwhich have their Foundation in Custom, and do not come within the\nMeaning of those Expressions, _your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have\nneed of all these Things_, Mat. vi. 32.\n\nThese Things which he beholds necessary for his People, he fails not to\ngive them in his own Way and Time; but as his Ways are above our Ways,\nand his Thoughts above our Thoughts, so imaginary Wants are different\n_from these Things which he knoweth that we have need of_.\n\nAs my Meditations have been on these Things, Compassion hath filled my\nHeart toward my Fellow Creatures, involved in Customs, grown up in _the\nWisdom of this World, which is Foolishness with God_, 1 Cor. iii. 19.\nAnd O that the Youth may be so thoroughly experienced in an humble\nWalking before the Lord, that they may be his Children, and know him to\nbe their Refuge, their safe unfailing Refuge, through the various\nDangers attending this uncertain State of Being!\n\nIf those whose Minds are redeemed from the Love of Wealth, and who are\ncontent with a plain, simple Way of living, do yet find that to conduct\nthe Affairs of a Family, without giving Countenance to unrighteous\nProceedings, or having Fellowship with Works of Darkness, the most\ndiligent Care is necessary.\n\nIf Customs, distinguishable from universal Righteousness, and opposite\nto the true Self-denying Life, are now prevalent, and so mixed with\nTrade, and with almost every Employ, that it is only through humble\nwaiting on the inward Guidance of Truth, that we may reasonably hope to\nwalk safely, and support an uniform Testimony to the peaceable\nGovernment of Christ:\n\nIf this be the Case, how lamentably do they expose themselves to\nTemptations, who give way to the Love of Riches, conform to expensive\nLiving, and reach forth for Gain, to support Customs, which our Holy\nShepherd leads not into.\n\n\n\n\nCONSIDERATIONS ON THE TRUE HARMONY OF MANKIND, AND How it is to be\nmaintained.\n\nBy JOHN WOOLMAN\n\n     _And the Remnant of_ Jacob _shall be in the midst of many People,\n     as the Dew from the Lord, as the Showers upon the Grass, that\n     tarrieth not for Man, nor waiteth for the Sons of Men_, Micah v. 7.\n\n     _LONDON_:\n     Re-printed by MARY HINDE.\n\n\nTHE INTRODUCTION\n\nAs Mankind from one Parent are divided into many Families, and as\nTrading to Sea is greatly increased within a few Ages past; amidst this\nextended Commerce how necessary is it that the professed Followers of\nChrist keep sacred his Holy Name, and be employed about Trade and\nTraffick no farther than Justice and Equity evidently accompanies? That\nwe may give no just Cause of Offence to any, however distant, or unable\nto plead their own Cause; and may continually keep in View the Spreading\nof the true and saving Knowledge of God, and his Son Jesus Christ,\namongst our Fellow Creatures, which through his infinite Love some feel\nto be more precious than any other Treasure.\n\n\nCONSIDERATIONS ON THE TRUE HARMONY OF MANKIND &c.\n\n\nCHAPTER I\n\n    _On serving the Lord in our outward Employments_\n\nUnder the humbling Dispensations of the Father of Mercies, I have felt\nan inward Labour for the Good of my Fellow Creatures, and a Concern that\nthe Holy Spirit, which alone can restore Mankind to a State of true\nHarmony, may with Singleness of Heart be waited for and followed.\n\nI trust there are many under that Visitation, which if faithfully\nattended to, will make them quick of Understanding in the Fear of the\nLord, and qualify with Firmness to be true Patterns of the _Christian_\nLife, who in Living and Walking may hold forth an Invitation to others,\nto come out of the Entanglements of the Spirit of this World.\n\nAnd that which I feel first to express is, a Care for those who are in\nCircumstances, which appear difficult, with respect to supporting their\nFamilies in a Way answerable to pure Wisdom, that they may not be\ndiscouraged, but remember that in humbly obeying the Leadings of Christ,\nhe owneth us as his Friends, _Ye are my Friends if ye do whatsoever I\ncommand you_; and to be a Friend to Christ, is to be united to him, who\nhath all Power in Heaven and in Earth; and though a Woman may forget her\nsucking Child, yet will he not forget his faithful Ones.\n\nThe Condition of many who dwell in Cities hath often affected me with a\nBrotherly Sympathy, attended with a Desire that Resignation may be\nlaboured for; and where the Holy Leader directeth to a Country Life, or\nsome Change of Employ, he may be faithfully followed; for, under the\nrefining Hand of the Lord, I have seen that the Inhabitants of some\nCities are greatly increased through some Branches of Business which the\nHoly Spirit doth not lead into, and that being entangled in these\nThings, tends to bring a Cloud over the Minds of People convinced of the\nLeadings of this Holy Leader, and obstructs the coming of the Kingdom of\nChrist on Earth as it is in Heaven.\n\nNow if we indulge a Desire to imitate our Neighbours in those Things\nwhich harmonise not with the true _Christian_ Walking, these\nEntanglements may hold fast to us, and some, who in an awakening Time,\nfeel tender Scruples, with respect to their Manner of Life, may look on\nthe Example of others more noted in the Church, who yet may not be\nrefined from every Degree of Dross; and by looking on these Examples,\nand desiring to support their Families in a Way pleasant to the natural\nMind, there may be Danger of the Worldly Wisdom gaining Strength in\nthem, and of their Departure from that pure Feeling of Truth, which if\nfaithfully attended to, would teach Contentment in the Divine Will, even\nin a very low Estate.\n\nOne formerly speaking on the Profitableness of true Humility saith, \"He\nthat troubles not himself with anxious Thoughts for more than is\nnecessary, lives little less than the Life of Angels, whilst by a Mind\ncontent with little, he imitates their want of nothing.\" _Cave's_ Prim.\n_Christi._ Page 31.\n\n\"It is not enough,\" says _Tertullian_, \"that a _Christian_ be chaste and\nmodest, but he must appear to be so: A Virtue of which he should have so\ngreat a Store, that it should flow from his Mind upon his Habit, and\nbreak from the Retirements of his Conscience, into the Superficies of\nhis Life.\" Same Book, Page 43.\n\n\"The Garments we wear,\" says _Clemens_, \"ought to be mean and\nfrugal--that is true Simplicity of Habit, which takes away what is vain\nand superfluous, that the best and most solid Garment, which is the\nfarthest from Curiosity.\" Page 49.\n\nThough the Change from Day to Night, is by a Motion so gradual as\nscarcely to be perceived, yet when Night is come we behold it very\ndifferent from the Day; and thus as People become wise in their own\nEyes, and prudent in their own Sight, Customs rise up from the Spirit of\nthis World, and spread by little, and little, till a Departure from the\nSimplicity that there is in Christ becomes as distinguishable as Light\nfrom Darkness, to such who are crucified to the World.\n\nOur Holy Shepherd, to encourage his Flock in Firmness and Perseverance,\nreminds them of his Love for them; _As the Father hath loved me, so have\nI loved you; continue ye in my Love._ And in another Place graciously\npoints out the Danger of departing therefrom, by going into unsuitable\nEmployments; this he represents in the Similitude of Offence from that\nuseful active Member, the Hand; and to fix the Instruction the deeper,\nnames the right Hand; _If thy right Hand offend thee, cut it off and\ncast it from thee_--If thou feelest Offence in thy Employment, humbly\nfollow him who leads into all Truth, and is a strong and faithful Friend\nto those who are resigned to him.\n\nAgain, he points out those Things which appearing pleasant to the\nnatural Mind, are not best for us, in the Similitude of Offence from the\nEye; _If thy right Eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee._\nTo pluck out the Eye, or cut off the Hand, is attended with sharp Pain;\nand how precious is the Instruction which our Redeemer thus opens to us,\nthat we may not faint under the most painful Trial, but put our Trust in\nhim, even in him who sent an Angel to feed _Elijah_ in the Wilderness;\nwho fed a Multitude with a few Barley Loaves, and is now as attentive to\nthe Wants of his People as ever.\n\nThe Prophet _Isaiah_ represents the unrighteous Doings of the\n_Israelites_ toward the Poor, as the Fruits of an effeminate Life; _As\nfor my People, Children are their Oppressors, and Women rule over them:\nWhat mean ye, that ye beat my People to pieces, and grind the Faces of\nthe Poor? saith the Lord God._ Then he mentions the Haughtiness of the\nDaughters of _Sion_, and enumerates many Ornaments, as Instances of\ntheir Vanity; to uphold which, the Poor were so hardly dealt with, that\nhe sets forth their Poverty, their Leanness and Inability to help\nthemselves, in the Similitude of a Man maimed by Violence, or beaten to\npieces, and forced to endure the painful Operation of having his Face\ngradually worn away in the manner of grinding.\n\nAnd I may here add, that at Times, when I have felt true Love open my\nHeart towards my Fellow Creatures, and being engaged in weighty\nConversation in the Cause of Righteousness, the Instructions I have\nreceived under these Exercises, in Regard to the true Use of the outward\nGifts of God, have made deep and lasting Impressions on my Mind.\n\nI have here beheld, how the Desire to provide Wealth, and to uphold a\ndelicate Life, hath grievously entangled many, and been like Snares to\ntheir Offspring; and tho' some have been affected with a Sense of their\nDifficulties, and appeared desirous, at Times, to be helped out of them;\nyet for want of abiding under the humbling Power of Truth, they have\ncontinued in these Entanglements; for in remaining conformable to this\nWorld, and giving Way to a delicate Life, this expensive Way of living,\nin Parents, and in Children, hath called for a large Supply, and in\nanswering this Call the Faces of the Poor have been ground away, and\nmade thin through hard Dealing.\n\nThere is Balm, there is a Physician; and O what Longings do I feel! that\nwe may embrace the Means appointed for our Healing, know that removed\nwhich now ministers Cause for the Cries of many People to ascend to\nHeaven against their Oppressors, and that we may see the true Harmony\nrestored.\n\n_Behold how good and how pleasant it is, for Brethren to dwell together\nin Unity._ The Nature of this Unity is thus opened by the Apostle; _If\nwe walk in the Light, as Christ is in the Light, we shall have\nFellowship one with another, and the Blood of Christ will cleanse us\nfrom all Sin._\n\nThe Land may be polluted with innocent Blood, which like the Blood of\n_Abel_ may cry to the Almighty; but those who _walk in the Light, as\nChrist is in the Light_, they know the _Lamb of God, who taketh away\nSin_.\n\nWalking is a Phrase frequently used in Scripture, to represent our\nJourney thro' Life, and appears to comprehend the various Affairs and\nTransactions properly relating to our being in this World.\n\nChrist being the Light, dwells always in the Light; and if our walking\nbe thus, and in every Affair and Concern we faithfully follow this\nDivine Leader, he preserves from giving just Cause for any to quarrel\nwith us: And where this Foundation is laid, and mutually kept to, by\nFamilies conversant with each other, the Way is open for these Comforts\nin Society, which our Heavenly Father intends as a Part of our Happiness\nin this World; and then we may experience the Goodness, and Pleasantness\nof dwelling together in Unity; but where Ways of Living take place,\nwhich tend to Oppression, and in the Pursuit of Wealth, People do that\nto others which they know would not be acceptable to themselves, either\nin exercising an absolute Power over them, or otherwise laying on them\nunequitable Burdens; here a Fear lest that Measure should be meted to\nthem, which they have measured to others, incites a Care to support that\nby Craft and cunning Devices which stands not on the firm Foundation of\nRighteousness: Thus the Harmony of Society is broken, and from hence\nCommotions and Wars do frequently arise in the World.\n\n_Come out of_ Babylon _my People, that ye be not Partakers of her Sins,\nand that ye receive not of her Plagues_. Rev. xv. 3, 4. This _Babel_, or\n_Babylon_, was built in the Spirit of Self-exaltation: _Let us build us\na City and a Tower, whose Top may reach to Heaven, and let us make us a\nName_. Gen. xi. 4. In departing from an humble Trust in God, and\nfollowing a selfish Spirit, People have Intentions to get the upperhand\nof their Fellow Creatures, privately meditate on Means to obtain their\nEnds, have a Language in their Hearts which is hard to understand. In\n_Babel_ the Language is confounded.\n\nThis City is represented as a Place of Business, and those employed in\nit, as Merchants of the Earth: _The Merchants of the Earth are waxed\nrich through the Abundance of her Delicacies_. Rev. xviii. 3.\n\nAnd it is remarkable in this Call, that the Language from the Father of\nMercies is, my People, _Come out of_ Babylon _my People_. Thus his\ntender Mercies are toward us in an imperfect State; and as we faithfully\nattend to the Call, the Path of Righteousness is more and more opened;\nCravings, which have not their Foundation in pure Wisdom, more and more\ncease; and in an inward Purity of Heart, we experience a Restoration of\nthat which was lost at _Babel_, represented by the inspired Prophet in\nthe _returning of a pure Language_. Zeph. iii. 9.\n\nHappy for them who humbly attend to the Call, _Come out of_ Babylon _my\nPeople_. For though in going forth we may meet with Trials, which for a\nTime may be painful, yet as we bow in true Humility, and continue in it,\nan Evidence is felt that God only is wise; and that in weaning us from\nall that is selfish he prepares the Way to a quiet Habitation, where all\nour Desires are bounded by his Wisdom. And an Exercise of Spirit attends\nme, that we who are convinced of the pure Leadings of Truth, may bow in\nthe deepest Reverence, and so watchfully regard this Leader, that many\nwho are grievously entangled in a Wilderness of vain Customs, may look\nupon us and be instructed. And O that such who have Plenty of this\nWorld's Goods, may be faithful in that with which they are entrusted!\nand Example others in the true _Christian_ Walking.\n\nOur blessed Saviour, speaking on Worldly Greatness, compares himself to\none waiting and attending on a Company at Dinner; _Whether is greater,\nhe that sitteth at Meat or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at\nMeat? But I am amongst you as he that serveth._ Luke xxii. 27.\n\nThus in a World greatly disordered, where Men aspiring to outward\nGreatness were wont to oppress others to support their Designs, he who\nwas of the highest Descent, being the Son of God, and greater than any\namongst the greatest Families of Men, by his Example and Doctrines\nforeclosed his Followers from claiming any Shew of outward Greatness,\nfrom any supposed Superiority in themselves, or derived from their\nAncestors.\n\nHe who was greater than Earthly Princes, was not only meek and low of\nHeart, but his outward Appearance was plain and lowly, and free from\nevery Stain of the Spirit of this World.\n\nSuch was the Example of our blessed Redeemer, of whom the beloved\nDisciple said, _He that saith he abideth in him, ought also to walk even\nas he walked._\n\n_John Bradford_, who suffered Martyrdom under Queen _Mary_, wrote a\nLetter to his Friends out of Prison, a short Time before he was burnt,\nin which are these Expressions; \"Consider your Dignity as Children of\nGod, and Temples of the Holy Ghost, and Members of Christ, be ashamed\ntherefore to think, speak, or do any Thing unseemly, for God's Children,\nand the Members of Christ.\" _Fox's_ Acts and Mon. Page 1177.\n\n\nCHAPTER II\n\n    _On the Example of CHRIST_\n\nAs my Mind hath been brought into a Brotherly Feeling with the Poor, as\nto the Things of this Life, who are under Trials in regard to getting a\nLiving in a Way answerable to the Purity of Truth; a Labour of Heart\nhath attended me, that their Way may not be made difficult through the\nLove of Money in those who are tried with plentiful Estates, but that\nthey with Tenderness of Heart may sympathize with them.\n\nIt was the Saying of our blessed Redeemer, _Ye cannot serve God and\nMammon_. There is a deep Feeling of the Way of Purity, a Way in which\nthe Wisdom of the World hath no Part, but is opened by the Spirit of\nTruth, and is called _the Way of Holiness_; a Way in which the Traveller\nis employed in watching unto Prayer; and the outward Gain we get in this\nJourney is considered as a Trust committed to us, by him who formed and\nsupports the World; and is the rightful Director of the Use and\nApplication of the Product of it.\n\nNow except the Mind be preserved chaste, there is no Safety for us; but\nin an Estrangement from true Resignation, the Spirit of the World casts\nup a Way, in which Gain is many Times principally attended to, and in\nwhich there is a selfish Application of outward Treasures.\n\nHow agreeable to the true Harmony of Society, is that Exhortation of the\nApostle? _Look not every Man on his own Things, but every Man also on\nthe Things of others. Let this Mind be in you which was also in Christ\nJesus._\n\nA Person in outward Prosperity may have the Power of obtaining Riches,\nbut the same Mind being in him which is in Christ Jesus, he may feel a\nTenderness of Heart towards those of low Degree; and instead of setting\nhimself above them, may look upon it as an unmerited Favour, that his\nWay through Life is more easy than the Way of many others; may improve\nevery Opportunity of leading forth out of those Customs which have\nentangled the Family; employ his Time in looking into the Wants of the\npoor Members, and hold forth such a perfect Example of Humiliation, that\nthe pure Witness may be reached in many Minds; and the Way opened for a\nharmonious walking together.\n\nJesus Christ, in promoting the Happiness of others, was not deficient in\nlooking for the Helpless, who lay in Obscurity, nor did he save any\nThing to render himself honourable amongst Men, which might have been of\nmore Use to the weak Members in his Father's Family; of whose Compassion\ntowards us I may now speak a little. He who was perfectly happy in\nhimself, moved with infinite Love, _took not upon him the Nature of\nAngels_, but our imperfect Natures, and therein wrestled with the\nTemptations which attend us in this Life; and being the Son of him who\nis greater than Earthly Princes, yet became a Companion to poor,\nsincere-hearted Men; and though he gave the clearest Evidence that\nDivine Power attended him, yet the most unfavourable Constructions were\nframed by a self-righteous People; those Miracles represented as the\nEffect of a diabolical Power, and Endeavours used to render him hateful,\nas having his Mission from the Prince of Darkness; nor did their Envy\ncease till they took him like a Criminal, and brought him to Trial.\nThough some may affect to carry the Appearance of being unmoved at the\nApprehension of Distress, our dear Redeemer, who was perfectly sincere,\nhaving the same human Nature which we have, and feeling, a little before\nhe was apprehended, the Weight of that Work upon him, for which he came\ninto the World, was _sorrowful even unto Death_; here the human Nature\nstruggled to be excused from a Cup so bitter; but his Prayers centered\nin Resignation, _Not my Will but thine be done_. In this Conflict, so\ngreat was his Agony, that _Sweat like Drops of Blood fell from him to\nthe Ground_.\n\nBehold now, as foretold by the Prophet, he is in a judicial Manner\n_numbered with the Transgressors_! Behold him as some poor Man of no\nReputation, standing before the High Priest and Elders, and before\n_Herod_ and _Pilate_, where Witnesses appear against him, and he mindful\nof the most gracious Design of his Coming, declineth to plead in his own\nDefence, _but as a Sheep that is dumb before the Shearer_, so under many\nAccusations, Revilings, and Buffetings, remained silent. And though he\nsignified to _Peter_, that he had Access to Power sufficient to\noverthrow all their outward Forces; yet retaining a Resignation to\nsuffer for the Sins of Mankind, he exerted not that Power, but permitted\nthem to go on in their malicious Designs, and pronounce him to be worthy\nof Death, even him who was perfect in Goodness; thus _in his Humiliation\nhis Judgment was taken away_, and he, like some vile Criminal, _led as a\nLamb to the Slaughter_. Under these heavy Trials (tho' poor unstable\n_Pilate_ was convinced of his Innocence, yet) the People generally\nlooked upon him as a Deceiver, a Blasphemer, and the approaching\nPunishment as a just Judgment upon him; _They esteemed him smitten of\nGod and afflicted._ So great had been the Surprize of his Disciples, at\nhis being taken by armed Men, that they _forsook him, and fled_; thus\nthey hid their Faces from him, he was despised, and by their Conduct it\nappeared as though _they esteemed him not_.\n\nBut contrary to that Opinion, of his being smitten of God and afflicted,\nit was for our Sakes that _he was put to Grief_; _he was wounded for our\nTransgressions_; _he was bruised for our Iniquities_; and under the\nWeight of them manifesting the deepest Compassion for the Instruments of\nhis Misery, laboured as their Advocate, and in the Deeps of Affliction,\nwith an unconquerable Patience, cried out, _Father, forgive them, they\nknow not what they do!_\n\nNow this Mind being in us, which was in Christ Jesus, it removes from\nour Hearts the Desire of Superiority, Worldly Honour, or Greatness; a\ndeep Attention is felt to the Divine Counsellor, and an ardent\nEngagement to promote, as far as we may be enabled, the Happiness of\nMankind universally: This State, where every Motion from a selfish\nSpirit yieldeth to pure Love, I may, with Gratitude to the Father of\nMercies acknowledge, is often opened before me as a Pearl to dig after;\nattended with a living Concern, that amongst the many Nations and\nFamilies on the Earth, those who believe in the Messiah, that _he was\nmanifested to destroy the Works of the Devil_, and thus to _take away\nthe Sins of the World_, may experience the Will of our Heavenly Father,\n_may be done on Earth as it is in Heaven_. Strong are the Desires I\noften feel, that this Holy Profession may remain unpolluted, and the\nBelievers in Christ may so abide in the pure inward Feeling of his\nSpirit, that the Wisdom from above may shine forth in their Living, as a\nLight by which others may be instrumentally helped on their Way, in the\ntrue harmonious Walking.\n\n\nCHAPTER III\n\n    _On_ MERCHANDIZING\n\nWhere the Treasures of pure Love are opened, and we obediently follow\nhim who is the Light of Life, the Mind becomes chaste; and a Care is\nfelt, that the Unction from the Holy One may be our Leader in every\nUndertaking.\n\nIn being crucified to the World, broken off from that Friendship which\nis Enmity with God, and dead to the Customs and Fashions which have not\ntheir Foundation in the Truth; the Way is prepared to Lowliness in\noutward Living, and to a Disintanglement from those Snares which attends\nthe Love of Money; and where the faithful Friends of Christ are so\nsituated that Merchandize appears to be their Duty, they feel a\nRestraint from proceeding farther than he owns their Proceeding; being\nconvinced that _we are not our own, but are bought with a Price, that\nnone of us may live to ourselves, but to him who died for us_, 2 Cor. v.\n15. Thus they are taught, not only to keep to a moderate Advance and\nUprightness in their Dealings; but to consider the Tendency of their\nProceeding; to do nothing which they know would operate against the\nCause of universal Righteousness; and to keep continually in View the\nSpreading of the peaceable Kingdom of Christ amongst Mankind.\n\nThe Prophet _Isaiah_ spake of the gathered Church, in the Similitude of\na City, where many being employed were all preserved in Purity; _They\nshall call them the Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord, and thou\nshalt be called sought out, a City not forsaken_, Isa. lxiii. 10. And\nthe Apostle, after mentioning the Mystery of Christ's Sufferings,\nexhorts, _Be ye Holy in all Manner of Conversation_, 1 Pet. i. 15. There\nis a Conversation necessary in Trade; and there is a Conversation so\nforeign from the Nature of Christ's Kingdom, that it is represented in\nthe Similitude of one Man pushing another with a warlike Weapon; _There\nis that speaketh like the Piercings of a Sword_, Prov. xii. 18. Now in\nall our Concerns it is necessary that the Leading of the Spirit of\nChrist be humbly waited for, and faithfully followed, as the only Means\nof being preserved chaste as an Holy People, who _in all Things are\ncircumspect_, Exod. xxiii. 13, that nothing we do may carry the\nAppearance of Approbation of the Works of Wickedness, make the\nUnrighteous more at Ease in Unrighteousness, or occasion the Injuries\ncommitted against the Oppressed to be more lightly looked over.\n\nWhere Morality is kept to, and supported by the Inhabitants of a\nCountry, there is a certain Reproach attends those Individuals amongst\nthem, who manifestly deviate therefrom. But where Iniquity is committed\nopenly, and the Authors of it are not brought to Justice, nor put to\nShame, their Hands grow strong. Thus the general Corruption of the\n_Jews_ shortly before their State was broke up by the _Chaldeans_, is\ndescribed by their Boldness in Impiety; for as their Leaders were\nconnected together in Wickedness they strengthened one another, and grew\nconfident; _Were they ashamed when they had committed Abominations? Nay,\nthey were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush_, Jer. vi. 15, on\nwhich Account the Lord thus expostulates with them, _What hath my\nBeloved to do in my House, seeing she hath wrought Lewdness with many,\nand the Holy Flesh is passed from thee; when thou doest Evil, then thou\nrejoicest_, Jer. xi. 15.\n\nNow the faithful Friends of Christ, who hunger and thirst after\nRighteousness, and inwardly breathe that his Kingdom may come on Earth\nas it is in Heaven, he teacheth them to be quick of Understanding in his\nFear, and to be very attentive to the Means he may appoint for promoting\npure Righteousness in the Earth; and as Shame is due to those whose\nworks manifestly operate against the gracious Design of his Sufferings\nfor us, a Care lives on their Minds that no wrong Customs however\nsupported may bias their Judgments, but that they may humbly abide under\nthe Cross, and be preserved in a Conduct which may not contribute to\nstrengthen the Hands of the Wicked in their Wickedness, or to remove\nShame from those to whom it is justly due. The Coming of that Day is\nprecious, in which we experience the Truth of this Expression, _The Lord\nour Righteousness_, Jer. xiii. 6, and feel him to be _made unto us\nWisdom and Sanctification_.\n\nThe Example of a righteous Man is often looked at with Attention. Where\nrighteous Men join in Business, their Company gives Encouragement to\nothers; and as one Grain of Incense deliberately offered to the Prince\nof this World, renders an Offering to God in that State unacceptable;\nand from those esteemed Leaders of the People may be injurious to the\nWeak; it requires deep Humility of Heart, to follow him faithfully, who\nalone gives sound Wisdom, and the Spirit of true Discerning; and O how\nnecessary it is, to consider the Weight of a Holy Profession!\n\nThe Conduct of some formerly gave Occasion of Complaint against them;\n_Thou hast defiled thy Sanctuaries by the Multitude of thine Iniquities,\nby the Iniquity of thy Traffick_, Ezek. xxviii. 18, and in several\nPlaces it is charged against _Israel_, that they had polluted the Holy\nName.\n\nThe Prophet _Isaiah_ represents inward Sanctification in the Similitude\nof being purged from that which is Fuel for Fire; and particularly\ndescribes the outward Fruits, brought forth by those who dwell in this\ninward Holiness; _They walk righteously, and speak uprightly._ By\n_walking_ he represents the Journey through Life, as a righteous\nJourney; and _by speaking uprightly_, seems to point at that which\n_Moses_ appears to have had in View, when he thus express'd himself;\n_Thou shall not follow a Multitude to do Evil, nor speak in a Cause to\ndecline after many to wrest Judgment_, Exod. xxiii. 2.\n\nHe goes on to shew their Firmness in Equity; representing them as\nPersons superior to all the Arts of getting Money, which have not\nRighteousness for their Foundation; _They despise the Gain of\nOppressions_: And further shews how careful they are that no Prospects\nof Gain may induce them to become partial in Judgment respecting an\nInjury; _They shake their Hands from holding Bribes._\n\nAgain, where any Interest is so connected with shedding Blood, that the\nCry of innocent Blood goes also with it; he points out their Care to\nkeep innocent Blood from crying against them, in the Similitude of a\nMan's stopping his Ears to prevent a Sound from entering his Head; _They\nstop their Ears from hearing Blood_: And where they know that Wickedness\nis committed, he points out with Care, that they do not by an unguarded\nFriendship with the Authors of it, appear like unconcerned Lookers on,\nbut as People so deeply affected with Sorrow, that they cannot endure to\nstand by and behold it; this he represents in the Similitude of a Man\n_shutting his Eyes from seeing Evil_.\n\n_Who amongst us shall dwell with devouring Fire? Who amongst us shall\ndwell with everlasting Burnings? He that walketh righteously and\nspeaketh uprightly. He that despiseth the Gain of Oppressions, that\nshaketh his Hands from holding of Bribes, that stoppeth his Ears from\nhearing of Blood, and shutteth his Eyes from seeing Evil_, Isa. xxxiii.\n15.\n\nHe proceeds in the Spirit of Prophecy to shew how the Faithful, being\nsupported under Temptations, would be preserved from that Defilement\nthat there is in the Love of Money; that as they who in a reverent\nWaiting on God, feel their Strength renewed, are said to _mount upward_;\nso here their Preservation from the Snare of unrighteous Gain, is\nrepresented in the Likeness of a Man, borne up above all crafty, artful\nMeans of getting the Advantage of another; _They shall dwell on high_;\nand points out the Stability and Firmness of their Condition; _His Place\nof Defence shall be the Munition of Rocks_; and that under all the\noutward Appearances of Loss, in denying himself of gainful Profits for\nRighteousness Sake, yet through the Care of him who provides for the\nSparrows, he should have a Supply answerable to his infinite Wisdom;\n_Bread shall be given him, his Waters shall be sure_. And as our Saviour\nmentions the Sight of God to be attainable by _the Pure in Heart_, so\nhere the Prophet pointed out, how in true Sanctification the\nUnderstanding is opened, to behold the peaceable harmonious Nature of\nhis Kingdom; _thine Eyes shall see the King in his Beauty_: And that\nlooking beyond all the Afflictions which attend the Righteous, to _a\nHabitation eternal in the Heavens_, they with an eye divinely open\n_shall behold the Land that is very far off_.\n\n_He shall dwell on high, his Place of Defence shall be the Munition of\nRocks, Bread shall be given him, his Waters shall be sure. Thine Eyes\nshall see the King in his Beauty; they shall behold the Land that is\nvery far off_, Isa. xxxiii. 16.\n\nI often remember, and to me the Subject is awful, that the great Judge\nof all the Earth doeth that which is right, and that he, _before whom\nthe Nations are as the Drop of a Bucket_, is _no Respecter of Persons_.\nHappy for them, who like the inspired Prophet, _in the Way of his\nJudgments wait for him_, Isa. xxvi. 8.\n\nWhen we feel him to sit as a Refiner with Fire, and know a Resignedness\nwrought in us, to that which he appoints for us, his Blessing in a very\nlow Estate, is found to be more precious than much outward Treasure in\nthose Ways of Life, where the Leadings of his Spirit are not followed.\n\nThe Prophet in a Sight of a divine Work amongst many People, declared in\nthe Name of the Lord, _I will gather all Nations and Tongues, and they\nshall come and see my Glory_, Isa. lxvi. 18. And again, _from the rising\nof the Sun to the going down of the same, my Name shall be great amongst\nthe_ Gentiles, _and in every Place Incense shall be offered to my Name,\nand a pure Offering_, Malachi i. 11.\n\nBehold here how the Prophets had an inward Sense of the Spreading of the\nKingdom of Christ; and how he was spoken of as one who should _take the\nHeathen for his Inheritance, and the utmost Parts of the Earth for his\nPossession_, Psal. ii. 8. That _he was given for a Light to the_\nGentiles; _and for Salvation to the Ends of the Earth_, Isa. xlix. 6.\n\nWhen we meditate on this divine Work, as a Work of Ages; a Work that the\nProphets felt long before Christ appeared visibly on Earth, and remember\nthe bitter Agonies he endured when he _poured out his Soul unto Death_,\nthat the Heathen Nations, as well as others, might come to the Knowledge\nof the Truth and be saved.\n\nWhen we contemplate on this marvellous Work, as that which _the Angels\ndesire to look into_, 1 Pet. i. 12. And behold People amongst whom this\nLight hath eminently broken forth, and who have received many Favours\nfrom the bountiful Hand of our Heavenly Father; not only indifferent\nwith respect to publishing the glad Tidings amongst the _Gentiles_, as\nyet sitting in Darkness and entangled with many Superstitions; but\naspiring after Wealth and worldly Honours, take hold of Means to obtain\ntheir Ends, tending to stir up Wrath and Indignation, and to beget an\nAbhorrence in them to the Name of _Christianity_. When these Things are\nweightily attended to, how mournful is the Subject?\n\nIt is worthy of Remembrance, that People in different Ages, deeply\nbaptized into the Nature of that Work for which Christ suffered, have\njoyfully offered up their Liberty and Lives for the promoting of it in\nthe Earth.\n\n_Policarp_, who was reputed a Disciple of the Apostle _John_, having\nattained to great Age, was at length sentenced to die for his Religion;\nand being brought to the Fire, prayed nearly as follows, \"Thou God and\nFather of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom I have received the Knowledge\nof thee! O God of the Angels and Powers, and of every living Creature,\nand of all Sorts of just Men which live in thy Presence. I thank thee,\nthat thou hast graciously vouchsafed this Day and this Hour to allot me\na Portion among the Number of Martyrs, among the People of Christ, unto\nthe Resurrection of everlasting Life; among whom I shall be received in\nthy Sight, this Day, as a fruitful and acceptable Sacrifice; wherefore\nfor all this, I praise thee, I bless thee, I glorify thee through the\neverlasting High Priest, Jesus Christ, thy well-beloved Son; to whom,\nwith thee and the Holy Ghost, be all Glory, World without End. _Amen._\"\n\nBishop _Latimer_, when Sentence of Death by Fire was pronounced against\nhim, on Account of his Firmness in the Cause of Religion, he said, \"I\nthank God most heartily, that he hath prolonged my Life to this End;\nthat I may in this Case glorify him by this Kind of Death.\" _Fox's_ Acts\nand Mon. 936.\n\n_William Dewsbury_, who had suffered much for his Religion, in his last\nSickness, encouraging his Friends to Faithfulness, made mention, like\ngood old _Jacob_, of the Loving kindness of God to him in the Course of\nhis Life, and that through the Power of Divine Love, he, for Christ's\nSake, had joyfully entered Prisons. See Introduction to his Works.\n\nI mention these as a few Examples, out of many of the powerful\nOperations of the Spirit of Christ, where People are fully devoted to\nit, and of the ardent Longings in their Minds for the Spreading of his\nKingdom amongst Mankind. Now to those, in the present Age, who truly\nknow Christ, and feel the Nature of his peaceable Government opened in\ntheir Understandings, how loud is that Call wherewith we are called to\nFaithfulness; that in following this pure Light of Life, we, _as Workers\ntogether with him_, may labour in that great Work for which he was\noffered as a Sacrifice on the Cross; and that his peaceable Doctrines\nmay shine through us in their real Harmony, at a Time when the Name of\n_Christianity_ is become hateful to many of the _Heathen_.\n\nWhen _Gehazi_ had obtained Treasures which the Prophet under divine\nDirection had refused, and was returned from the Business; the Prophet\ntroubled at his Conduct, queried if it was a Time thus to prepare for a\nspecious Living.\n\n_Is it a Time to receive Money and Garments, Men Servants and Maid\nServants? The Leprosy therefore of_ Naaman _shall cleave to thee, and to\nthy Seed for ever_, 2 Kings v. 26. And O that we may lay to Heart the\nCondition of the present Time, and humbly follow his Counsel, who alone\nis able to prepare the Way for a true harmonious Walking amongst\nMankind.\n\n\nCHAPTER IV\n\n    _On_ DIVINE ADMONITIONS\n\nSuch are the Perfections of our Heavenly Father, that in all the\nDispensations of his Providence, it is our Duty, _in every Thing, to\ngive Thanks_. Though from the first Settlement of this Part of\n_America_, he hath not extended his Judgments to the Degree of Famine,\nyet Worms at Times have come forth beyond numbering, and laid waste\nFields of Grain and Grass, where they have appeared; another Kind, in\ngreat Multitudes, working out of Sight, in Grass Ground, have so eat the\nRoots, that the Surface, being loosened from the Soil beneath, might be\ntaken off in great Sheets.\n\nThese Kind of devouring Creatures appearing seldom, and coming in such\nMultitudes, their Generation appears different from most other Reptiles,\nand by the Prophet were call'd _God's Army sent amongst the People_,\nJoel ii. 25.\n\nThere have been Tempests of Hail, which have very much destroyed the\nGrain where they extended. Through long Drought in Summer, Grain in some\nPlaces hath been less than half the usual Quantity;[1] and in the\nContinuance thereof, I have beheld with Attention, from Week to Week,\nhow Dryness from the Top of the Earth, hath extended deeper and deeper,\nwhile the Corn and Plants have languished; and with Reverence my Mind\nhath been turned towards him, who being perfect in Goodness, in Wisdom\nand Power, doeth all Things right. And after long Drought, when the Sky\nhath grown dark with a Collection of Matter, and Clouds like Lakes of\nWater hung over our Heads, from whence the thirsty Land hath been\nsoaked; I have at Times, with Awfulness, beheld the vehement Operation\nof Lightning, made sometimes to accompany these Blessings, as a\nMessenger from him who created all Things, to remind us of our Duty in a\nright Use of those Benefits, and give striking Admonitions, that we do\nnot misapply those Gifts, in which an Almighty Power is exerted, in\nbestowing them upon us.\n\n[Footnote 1: When Crops fail. I often feel a tender Care that the Case\nof poor Tenants may be mercifully considered.]\n\nWhen I have considered that many of our Fellow Creatures suffer much in\nsome Places, for want of the Necessaries of Life, whilst those who rule\nover them are too much given to Luxury, and divers Vanities; and behold\nthe apparent Deviation from pure Wisdom amongst us, in the Use of the\noutward Gifts of God; those Marks of Famine have appeared like humbling\nAdmonitions from him, that we might be instructed by gentle\nChastisements, and might seriously consider our Ways; remembering that\nthe outward Supply of Life is a Gift from our Heavenly Father, and no\nmore venture to use, or apply his Gifts, in a Way contrary to pure\nWisdom.\n\nShould we continue to reject those merciful Admonitions, and use his\nGifts at Home, contrary to the gracious Design of the Giver, or send\nthem Abroad in a Way of Trade, which the Spirit of Truth doth not lead\ninto; and should he whose Eyes are upon all our Ways, extend his\nChastisements so far as to reduce us to much greater Distress than hath\nyet been felt by these Provinces; with what sorrow of Heart might we\nmeditate on that Subject, _Hast thou not procured this unto thyself, in\nthat thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, when he led thee by the Way?\nThine own Wickedness shall correct thee, and thy Backslidings shall\nreprove thee; know therefore, and see that it is an evil Thing and\nbitter, that thou hast forsaken the Lord thy God, and that my Fear is\nnot in thee, saith the Lord of Hosts_, Jer. ii. 17, 19.\n\nMy Mind hath often been affected with Sorrow, in beholding a wrong\nApplication of the Gifts of our Heavenly Father; and those Expressions\nconcerning the Defilement of the Earth have been opened to my\nUnderstanding; _The Earth was corrupt before God, and the Earth was\nfilled with Violence_, Gen. vi. 11. Again, Isaiah xxiv. 5. _The Earth\nalso is defiled under the Inhabitants thereof._\n\nThe Earth being the Work of a Divine Power, may not as such be accounted\nunclean; but when Violence is committed thereon, and the Channel of\nRighteousness so obstructed, that _in our Skirts are found the Blood of\nthe Souls of poor Innocents; not by a secret Search, but upon all\nthese_,[2] Jer. ii. 34.\n\n[Footnote 2: See a _Caution and Warning to Great Britain and her\nColonies_ Page 31.]\n\nWhen Blood shed unrighteously remains unatoned for, and the Inhabitants\nare not effectually purged from it, when they do not wash their Hands in\nInnocency, as was figured in the Law, in the Case of one being found\nslain; but seek for Gain arising from Scenes of Violence and Oppression,\nhere the Land is polluted with Blood, _Deut_. xxi. 6.\n\nMoreover, when the Earth is planted and tilled, and the Fruits brought\nforth are applied to support unrighteous Purposes; here the gracious\nDesign of infinite Goodness, in these his Gifts being perverted, the\nEarth is defiled; and the Complaint formerly uttered becomes applicable;\n_Thou hast made me to serve with thy Sins; thou hast wearied me with\nthine Iniquities_, Isaiah xliii. 24.\n\n\n\n\nAN EPISTLE TO THE QUARTERLY AND MONTHLY MEETINGS OF FRIENDS.\n\nBy JOHN WOOLMAN.\n\n    _LONDON_:\n    Re-printed by MARY HINDE.\n\n\nAN EPISTLE, &c.\n\nBeloved Friends,--Feeling at this Time a renewed Concern that the pure\nPrinciple of Light and Life, and the righteous Fruits thereof may spread\nand prevail amongst Mankind, there is an Engagement on my Heart to\nlabour with my Brethren in religious Profession, that none of us may be\na Stumbling-block in the Way of others; but may so walk that our Conduct\nmay reach the pure Witness in the Hearts of such who are not in\nProfession with us.\n\nAnd, dear Friends, while we publickly own that the Holy Spirit is our\nLeader, the Profession is in itself weighty, and the Weightiness thereof\nincreaseth in Proportion as we are noted among the Professors of Truth,\nand active in dealing with such who walk disorderly.\n\nMany under our Profession, for Want of due Attention, and a perfect\nResignation, to this Divine Teacher, have in some Things manifested a\nDeviation from the Purity of our religious Principles, and these\nDeviations having crept in amongst us by little and little, and\nincreasing from less to greater, have been so far unnoticed, that some\nliving in them, have been active in putting Discipline in Practice with\nrelation to others, whose Conduct hath appeared more dishonourable in\nthe World.\n\nNow as my Mind hath been exercised before the Lord, I have seen, that\nthe Discipline of the Church of Christ standeth in that which is pure;\nthat it is the Wisdom from above which gives Authority to Discipline,\nand that the Weightiness thereof standeth not in any outward\nCircumstances, but in the Authority of Christ who is the Author of it;\nand where any walk after the Flesh, and not according to the Purity of\nTruth, and at the same Time are active in putting Discipline in\nPractice, a Veil is gradually drawn over the Purity of Discipline, and\nover that Holiness of Life, which Christ leads those into, _in whom, the\nLove of God is verily perfected_, 1 John ii. 5.\n\nWhen we labour in true Love with Offenders, and they remain obstinate,\nit sometimes is necessary to proceed as far as our Lord directed; _Let\nhim be to thee as an heathen Man, or a Publican_, Mat. xviii. 17.\n\nNow when such are disowned, and they who act therein feel Christ made\nunto them Wisdom, and are preserved in his meek, restoring Spirit, there\nis no just Cause of Offence ministered to any; but when such who are\nactive in dealing with Offenders, indulge themselves in Things which are\ncontrary to the Purity of Truth, and yet judge others whose Conduct\nappears more dishonourable than theirs, here the pure Authority of\nDiscipline ceaseth as to such Offenders, and a Temptation is laid in\ntheir Way to wrangle and contend;--_Judge not_, said our Lord, _that ye\nbe not Judged._ Now this forbidding alludes to Man's Judgment, and\npoints out the Necessity of our humbly attending to that sanctifying\nPower, under which the Faithful experience the Lord to be _a Spirit of\nJudgment to them_, Isa. xxviii. 6. And as we feel his Holy Spirit to\nmortify the Deeds of the Body in us, and can say, _It is no more I that\nlive, but Christ that liveth in me_, here right Judgment is known.\n\nAnd while Divine Love prevails in our Hearts, and Self in us is brought\nunder Judgment, a Preparation is felt to labour in a right Manner with\nOffenders; but if we abide not in this Love, our outward Performance in\ndealing with others, degenerates into Formality; for _this is the Love\nof God, that we keep his Commandments_, John i. 3.\n\nHow weighty are those Instructions of our Redeemer concerning religious\nDuties, when he points out, that they who pray, should be so obedient to\nthe Teachings of the Holy Spirit, that humbly confiding in his Help,\nthey may say, _Thy Name, O Father I be hallowed. Thy Kingdom come. Thy\nWill be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven._--In this awful State of Mind\nis felt that Worship which stands in doing the Will of God on Earth, as\nit is done in Heaven, and keeping the Holy Name sacred: To take a Holy\nProfession upon us is awful, nor can we keep his Holy Name sacred, but\nby humbly abiding under the Cross of Christ. The Apostle laid a heavy\nComplaint against some who prophaned this Holy Name by their Manner of\nLiving, _Through you_, he says, _the Name of God is blasphemed among\nthe_ Gentiles, _Rom._ ii. 24.\n\nSome of our Ancestors, through many Tribulations, were gathered into the\nState of true Worshippers, and had Fellowship in that which is pure; and\nas one was inwardly moved to kneel down in their Assemblies, and\npublickly call on the Name of the Lord, those in the Harmony of united\nExercise then present, joined in the Prayer: I mention this, in order\nthat we of the present Age, may look unto the Rock from whence we were\nhewn, and remember that to unite in Worship, is an Union in Prayer, and\nthat Prayer acceptable to the Father, is only in a Mind truly\nsanctified, where the sacred Name is kept Holy, and the Heart resigned\nto do his Will on Earth, as it is done in Heaven; _If ye abide in me_,\nsaith Christ, _and my Words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will in\nmy Name, and it shall be done unto you._--Now we know not what to pray\nfor as we ought, but as the Holy Spirit doth open and direct our Minds,\nand as we faithfully yield to its Influences, our Prayers are in the\nWill of our Heavenly Father, who fails not to grant that which his own\nSpirit, through his Children, asketh;--thus Preservation from Sin is\nknown, and the Fruits of Righteousness are brought forth by such who\ninwardly unite in Prayer.\n\nHow weighty are our solemn Meetings when the Name of Christ is kept\nHoly!\n\n\"How precious is that State in which the Children of the Lord are so\nredeemed from the Love of this World, that they are accepted and blessed\nin all that they do!\" _R. Barclay's_ Apology, Page 404.\n\nHow necessary is it that we who profess these Principles, and are\noutwardly active in supporting them, should faithfully abide in Divine\nStrength, that _as he who has called us, is Holy, so we may be Holy in\nall manner of Conversation_, 1 Pet. i. 15.\n\nIf one professing to be influenced by the Spirit of Christ, propose to\nunite in a Labour to promote Righteousness in the Earth, and in Time\npast he hath manifestly deviated from the Paths of Equity, then to act\nconsistent with this Principle, his first Work is to make Restitution so\nfar as he may be enabled; for if he attempts to contribute toward a Work\nintended to promote Righteousness, while it appears that he neglecteth,\nor refuseth to act righteously himself, his Conduct has a Tendency to\nentangle the Minds of those who are weak in the Faith, who behold these\nThings, and to draw a Veil over the Purity of Righteousness, by carrying\nan Appearance as though that was Righteousness which is not.\n\nAgain, if I propose to assist in supporting those Doctrines wherein that\nPurity of Life is held forth, in which Customs proceeding from the\nSpirit of this World have no Place, and at the same Time strengthen\nothers in those Customs by my Example; the first Step then in an orderly\nProceeding, is to cease from those Customs myself, and afterwards to\nlabour, as I may be enabled, to promote the like Disposition and Conduct\nin others.\n\nTo be convinced of the pure Principle of Truth, and diligently exercised\nin walking answerable thereto, is necessary before I can consistently\nrecommend this Principle to others.--I often feel a Labour in Spirit,\nthat we who are active Members in religious Society, may experience in\nourselves the Truth of those Expressions of the Holy One; _I will be\nsanctified in them that come nigh me_, Lev. x. 3.----In this Case, my\nMind hath been often exercised when alone, Year after Year, for many\nYears, and in the Renewings of Divine Love, a tender Care hath been\nincited in me, that we who profess the inward Principle of Light to be\nour Teacher, may be a Family united in that Purity of Worship, which\ncomprehends a Holy Life, and ministers Instruction to others.\n\nMy Mind is often drawn towards Children in the Truth, who having a small\nShare of the Things of this Life, and coming to have Families, may be\ninwardly exercised before the Lord to support them in a Way agreeable to\nthe Purity of Truth, in which they may feel his Blessing upon them in\ntheir Labours; the Thoughts of such being entangled with Customs,\ncontrary to pure Wisdom, conveyed to them through our Hands, doth often\nvery tenderly, and movingly affect my Heart, and when I look towards,\nand think on the succeeding Generation, fervent Desires are raised in\nme, that we by yielding to that Holy Spirit which leads into all Truth,\nmay not do the Work of the Lord deceitfully, may not live contrary to\nthe Purity of the Divine Principle we profess; but that as faithful\nLabourers in our Age, we may be instrumental in removing\nStumbling-blocks out of the Way of those who may succeed us.\n\nSo great was the Love of Christ, that he gave himself for the Church,\n_that he might sanctify and cleanse it, that it should be Holy, and\nwithout Blemish, not having Spot or Wrinkle, or any such Thing_, Eph. v.\n25. and where any take the Name of Christ upon them, professing to be\nMembers of his Church, and led by his Holy Spirit, and yet manifestly\ndeviate from the Purity of Truth, they herein act against the gracious\nDesign of his giving himself for them, and minister Cause for the\nContinuance of his Afflictions, _viz._ in his Body the Church.\n\nChrist suffered Afflictions in a Body of Flesh prepared by the Father,\nbut the Afflictions of his mystical Body are yet unfinished; for they\nwho are baptized into Christ are baptized into his Death; and as we\nhumbly abide under his sanctifying Power, and are brought forth into\nNewness of Life, we feel Christ to live in us, who being the same\nYesterday, To-day, and forever, and always at Unity with himself, his\nSpirit in the Hearts of his People leads to an inward Exercise for the\nSalvation of Mankind; and when under a Travail of Spirit, we behold a\nvisited People entangled by the Spirit of the World with its Wickedness\nand Customs, and thereby rendered incapable of being faithful Examples\nto others, Sorrow and Heaviness under a Sense of these Things, is often\nexperienced, and thus in some Measure is filled up that which remains of\nthe Afflictions of Christ.\n\nOur blessed Saviour speaking concerning Gifts offered in Divine Service,\nsays, _If thou bring thy Gift to the Altar, and there remembrest that\nthy Brother hath ought against thee, leave there thy Gift before the\nAltar, and go thy Way, first be reconciled to thy Brother, and then\ncome and offer thy Gift_, Mat. v. 23, 24. Now there is no true Unity,\nbut in that wherein the Father and the Son are united, nor can there be\na perfect Reconciliation but in ceasing from that which ministers Cause\nfor the Continuation of the Afflictions of Christ; and if any professing\nto bring their Gift to the Altar, do remember the customary\nContradiction which some of their Fruits bear to the pure spiritual\nWorship, here it appears necessary to lay to Heart this Command, _Leave\nthy Gift by the Altar_.\n\nChrist graciously calls his People Brethren; _Whosoever shall do the\nWill of God, the same is my Brother_, Mark iii. 35. Now if we walk\ncontrary to the Truth as it is in Jesus, while we continue to profess\nit, we offend against Christ, and if under this Offence we bring our\nGift to the Altar, our Redeemer doth not direct us to take back our\nGift, he doth not discourage our proceeding in a good Work; but\ngraciously points out the necessary Means by which the Gift may be\nrendered acceptable, _Leave_, saith he, _thy Gift by the Altar, first go\nand be reconciled to thy Brother_, cease from that which grieves the\nHoly Spirit, cease from that which is against the Truth, as it is in\nJesus, and then come and offer thy Gift.\n\nI feel, while I am writing, a Tenderness to those who through Divine\nFavour are preserved in a lively Sense of the State of the Churches, and\nat Times may be under Discouragements with regard to proceeding in that\npure Way which Christ by his Holy Spirit leads into: The Depth of\nDisorder and Weakness, which so much prevails, being opened, Doubtings\nare apt to arise as to the Possibility of proceeding as an Assembly of\nthe Lord's People in the pure Council of Truth; and here I feel a\nConcern to express in Uprightness, that which hath been opened in my\nMind, under the Power of the Cross of Christ, relating to a visible\ngathered Church, the Members whereof are guided by the Holy Spirit.\n\nThe Church is called _the Body of Christ_, Col. i. 24.\n\nChrist is called _the Head of the Church_, Eph. i. 22.\n\nThe Church is called _the Pillar, and Ground of Truth_, 1 Tim. iii. 15.\n\nThus the Church hath a Name that is sacred, and the Necessity of keeping\nthis Name Holy, appears evident; for where a Number of People unite in a\nProfession of being led by the Spirit of Christ, and publish their\nPrinciples to the World, the Acts and Proceedings of that People may in\nsome Measure be considered as such which Christ is the Author of.\n\nNow while we stand in this Station, if the pure Light of Life is not\nfollowed and regarded in our Proceedings, we are in the Way of\nprophaning the Holy Name, and of going back toward that Wilderness of\nSufferings and Persecution, out of which, through the tender Mercies of\nGod, a Church hath been gathered; _Christ liveth in sanctified Vessels_,\nGal. ii. 20. and where they behold his Holy Name prophaned, and the pure\nGospel Light eclipsed, through the Unfaithfulness of any who by their\nStation appear to be Standard-bearers under the Prince of Peace, the\nliving Members in the Body of Christ in beholding these Things, do in\nsome degree experience the Fellowship of his Sufferings; and as the\nWisdom of the World more and more takes Place in conducting the Affairs\nof this visible gathered Church, and the pure Leadings of the Holy\nSpirit less waited for and followed, so the true Suffering Seed is more\nand more oppressed.\n\nMy Mind is often affected with a Sense of the Condition of\nsincere-hearted People in some Kingdoms, where Liberty of Conscience is\nnot allowed, many of whom being burthened in their Minds with prevailing\nSuperstition joined with Oppressions, are often under Sorrow; and where\nsuch have attended to that pure Light which hath in some degree opened\ntheir Understandings, and for their Faithfulness thereto, have been\nbrought to Examination and Trial, how heavy are the Persecutions which\nin divers Parts of the World are exercised upon them! How mighty, as to\nthe outward, is that Power by which they are borne down, and oppressed!\n\nHow deeply affecting is the Condition of many upright-hearted People who\nare taken into the _Papal_ Inquisition! What lamentable Cruelties, in\ndeep Vaults, in a private Way, are exercised on many of them! And how\nlingering is that Death by a small slow Fire, which they have\nfrequently indured, who have been faithful to the End!\n\nHow many tender spirited _Protestants_ have been sentenced to spend the\nRemainder of their Lives in a Galley chained to Oars, under hard-hearted\nMasters, while their young Children are placed out for Education, and\ntaught Principles so contrary to the Conscience of the Parents, that by\ndissenting from them, they have hazarded their Liberty, Lives, and all\nthat was dear to them of the Things of this World!\n\nThere have been in Time past severe Persecutions under the _English_\nGovernment, and many sincere-hearted People have suffered Death for the\nTestimony of a good Conscience, whose Faithfulness in their Day hath\nministred Encouragement to others, and been a Blessing to many who have\nsucceeded them; thus from Age to Age, the Darkness being more and more\nremoved, a Channel at length, through the tender Mercies of God, hath\nbeen opened for the Exercise of the pure Gift of the Gospel Ministry,\nwithout Interruption from outward Power, a Work, the like of which is\nrare, and unknown in many Parts of the World.\n\nAs these Things are often fresh in my Mind, and this great Work of God\ngoing on in the Earth has been open before me, that Liberty of\nConscience with which we are favoured, hath appeared not as a light\nMatter.\n\nA Trust is committed to us, a great and weighty Trust, to which our\ndiligent Attention is necessary, wherever the active Members of this\nvisible gathered Church use themselves to that which is contrary to the\nPurity of our Principles, it appears to be a Breach of this Trust, and\none Step back toward the Wilderness, one Step towards undoing what God\nin infinite Love hath done through his faithful Servants, in a Work of\nseveral Ages, and like laying the Foundation for future Sufferings.\n\nI feel a living Invitation in my Mind to such who are active in our\nreligious Society, that we may lay to Heart this Matter, and consider\nthe Station in which we stand; a Place of outward Liberty under the free\nExercise of our Conscience toward God, not obtained but through great\nand manifold Afflictions of those who lived before us. There is\nGratitude due from us to our Heavenly Father, and Justice to our\nPosterity; can our Hearts endure, or our Hands be strong, if we desert a\nCause so precious, if we turn aside from a Work, under which so many\nhave patiently laboured?\n\nMay the deep Sufferings of our Saviour be so dear to us, that we may\nnever trample under Foot the adorable Son of God, nor count the Blood of\nthe Covenant unholy!\n\nMay the Faithfulness of the Martyrs when the Prospect of Death by Fire\nwas before them, be remembred. And may the patient constant Sufferings\nof the upright-hearted Servants of God in latter Ages be revived in our\nMinds. And may we so follow on to know the Lord, that neither the\nFaithful in this Age, nor those in Ages to come, may ever be brought\nunder Suffering, through our sliding back from the Work of Reformation\nin the World.\n\nWhile the active Members in the visible gathered Church stand upright,\nand the Affairs thereof are carried on under the Leadings of the Holy\nSpirit, although Disorders may arise among us, and cause many Exercises\nto those who feel the Care of the Churches upon them; yet while these\ncontinue under the Weight of the Work, and labour in the Meekness of\nWisdom for the Help of others, the Name of Christ in the visible\ngathered Church may be kept sacred; but while they who are active in the\nAffairs of this Church, continue in a manifest Opposition to the Purity\nof our Principles, this, as the Prophet _Isaiah_ x. 18. expresseth it,\nis like _as when a Standard-bearer fainteth_; and thus the Way opens to\ngreat and prevailing Degeneracy, and to Sufferings for such who through\nthe Power of Divine Love, are separated to the Gospel of Christ, and\ncannot unite with any Thing which stands in Opposition to the Purity of\nit.\n\nThe Necessity of an inward Stillness, hath under these Exercises\nappeared clear to my Mind; in true Silence Strength is renewed, the Mind\nherein is weaned from all Things, but as they may be enjoyed in the\nDivine Will, and a Lowliness in outward Living opposite to Worldly\nHonour, becomes truly acceptable to us;--in the Desire after outward\nGain, the Mind is prevented from a perfect Attention to the Voice of\nChrist, but being weaned from all Things, but as they may be enjoyed in\nthe Divine Will, the pure Light shines into the Soul, and where the\nFruits of that Spirit which is of the World, are brought forth by many\nwho profess to be led by the Spirit of Truth, and Cloudiness is felt to\nbe gathering over the visible gathered Church, the Sincere in Heart who\nabide in true Stillness, and are exercised therein before the Lord for\nhis Name's Sake, have a Knowledge of Christ in the Fellowship of his\nSufferings, and inward Thankfulness is felt at Times, that through\nDivine Love, our own Wisdom is cast out, and that forward active Part in\nus subjected, which would rise and do something in the visible gathered\nChurch, without, the pure Leadings of the Spirit of Christ.\n\nWhile aught remains in us different from a perfect Resignation of our\nWills, it is like a Seal to a Book wherein is written, _that good, and\nacceptable, and perfect Will of God concerning us_, Rom. xii. 2. but\nwhen our Minds entirely yield to Christ, that Silence is known, which\nfolloweth the opening of the last of the Seals, _Rev._ viii. 1. In this\nSilence we learn abiding in the Divine Will, and there feel, that we\nhave no Cause to promote but that only in which the Light of Life\ndirects us in our Proceedings, and that the alone Way to be useful in\nthe Church of Christ, is to abide faithfully under the Leadings of his\nHoly Spirit in all Cases, and being preserved thereby in Purity of\nHeart, and Holiness of Conversation, a Testimony to the Purity of his\nGovernment may be held forth through us, to others.\n\nAs my Mind hath been thus exercised, I have seen that to be active and\nbusy in the visible gathered Church, without the Leadings of the Holy\nSpirit, is not only unprofitable, but tends to increase Dimness; and\nwhere Way is not opened to proceed in the Light of Truth, a Stop is felt\nby those who humbly attend to the Divine Leader, a Stop which in\nrelation to good Order in the visible gathered Church, is of the\ngreatest Consequence to be observed; thus _Robert Barclay_ in his\nTreatise on Discipline holds forth, Page 65, 68, 84. \"That the Judgment\nor Conclusion of the Church or Congregation, is no further effectual as\nto the true End and Design thereof, but as such Judgment or Conclusion\nproceeds from the Spirit of God operating on their Minds who are\nsanctified in Christ Jesus.\"\n\nNow in this Stop I have learned the Necessity of waiting on the Lord in\nHumility, that the Works of all may be brought to the Light, and those\nto Judgment which are wrought in the Wisdom of this World; and have also\nseen, that in a Mind thoroughly subjected to the Power of the Cross,\nthere is a Savour of Life to be felt, which evidently tends to gather\nSouls to God, while the greatest Works in the visible gathered Church\nbrought forth in Man's Wisdom, remain to be unprofitable.\n\nWhere People are divinely gathered into a Holy Fellowship, and\nfaithfully abide under the Influence of that Spirit which leads into all\nTruth, _they are the Light of the World_, Mat. v. 14. Now holding this\nProfession, to me hath appeared weighty, even beyond what I can fully\nexpress, and what our blessed Lord seemed to have in View, when he\nproposed the Necessity of counting the Cost, before we begin to build.\n\nI trust there are many who at Times, under Divine Visitation, feel an\ninward Enquiry after God; and when such in the Simplicity of their\nHearts mark the Lives of a People, who profess to walk by the Leadings\nof his Spirit, of what great Concernment is it that our Lights shine\nclear, that nothing of our Conduct carry a Contradiction to the Truth as\nit is in Jesus, or be a Means of prophaning his Holy Name, and be a\nStumbling-block in the Way of those sincere Enquirers!\n\nWhen such Seekers, who wearied with empty Forms, look toward uniting\nwith us as a People, and behold active Members among us depart in their\ncustomary Way of Living, from that Purity of Life, which under humbling\nExercises hath been opened before them, as the Way of the Lord's People,\nhow mournful and discouraging is the Prospect! And how strongly doth\nsuch Unfaithfulness operate against the Spreading of the peaceable,\nharmonious Principle, and Testimony of Truth amongst Mankind!\n\nIn entering into that Life, which is hid with Christ in God, we behold\nhis peaceable Government, where the whole Family are governed by the\nsame Spirit, and the _doing to others as we would they should do unto\nus_, groweth up as good Fruit from a good Tree; the Peace, Quietness,\nand harmonious Walking in this Government is beheld with humble\nReverence to him who is the Author of it; and in partaking of the Spirit\nof Christ, we partake of that which labours, and suffers for the\nIncrease of this peaceable Government among the Inhabitants of the\nWorld; and I have felt a Labour of long Continuance, that we, who\nprofess this peaceable Principle, may be faithful Standard-bearers under\nthe Prince of Peace, and that nothing of a defiling Nature, tending to\nDiscord and Wars, may remain among us.\n\nMay each of us query with ourselves, have the Treasures I possess been\ngathered in that Wisdom which is from above, so far as hath appeared to\nme?\n\nHave none of my Fellow Creatures an equitable Right to any Part which is\ncalled mine?\n\nHave the Gifts, and Possessions received by me from others, been\nconveyed in a Way free from all Unrighteousness, so far as I have seen?\n\nThe Principle of Peace in which our Trust is only in the Lord, and our\nMinds weaned from a Dependance on the Strength of Armies, hath appeared\nto me very precious, and I often feel strong Desires, that we who\nprofess this Principle, may so walk, as to give just Cause for none of\nour Fellow Creatures to be offended at us; that our Lives may evidently\nmanifest, that we are redeemed from that Spirit in which Wars are. Our\nblessed Saviour in pointing out the Danger of so leaning on Man, as to\nneglect the Leadings of his Holy Spirit, said, _Call no Man your Father\nupon the Earth; for one is your Father which is in Heaven_, Mat. xxiii.\n9. Where the Wisdom from above is faithfully followed, and therein we\nare entrusted with Substance, it is a Treasure committed to our Care in\nthe Nature of an Inheritance, as an Inheritance from him, who formed,\nand supports the World. Now in this Condition the true Enjoyment of the\ngood Things of this Life is understood, and that Blessing felt, in which\nis real Safety; this is what I apprehend our blessed Lord had in View,\nwhen he pronounced, _Blessed are the Meek, for they shall inherit the\nEarth_.\n\nSelfish Worldly-minded Men may hold Lands in the selfish Spirit, and\ndepending on the Strength of the outward Power, be perplexed with secret\nUneasiness, lest the Injured should sometime overpower them, and that\nMeasure meted to them, which they measure to others. Thus selfish Men\nmay possess the Earth; but it is the Meek who inherit it, and enjoy it\nas an Inheritance from the Heavenly Father, free from all the\nDefilements, and Perplexities of Unrighteousness.\n\nWhere Proceedings have been in that Wisdom which is from beneath, and\ninequitable Gain gathered by a Man, and left as a Gift to his Children,\nwho being entangled by the same Worldly Spirit, have not attained to\nthat Clearness of Light in which the Channels of Righteousness are\nopened, and Justice done to those who remain silent under Injuries: Here\nI have seen under humbling Exercise of Mind, that the Sins of the\nFathers are embraced by the Children, and become their Sins, and thus of\nthe Days of Tribulation, the Iniquities in the Fathers are visited upon\nthese Children, who take hold of the Unrighteousness of their Fathers,\nand live in that Spirit in which those Iniquities were committed; to\nwhich agreeth the Prophecy of _Moses_, concerning a rebellious People;\n_They that are left of you shall pine away in their Iniquities, in your\nEnemy's Land, and in the Iniquities of their Fathers shall they pine\naway_, Lev. xxvi. 39. and our blessed Lord in beholding the Hardness of\nHeart in that Generation, and feeling in himself, that they lived in the\nsame Spirit in which the Prophets had been persecuted unto Death,\nsignified, _That the Blood of all the Prophets which was shed from the\nFoundation of the World, should be required of that Generation, from the\nBlood of_ Abel, _unto the Blood of_ Zacharias, _who perished between the\nAltar and the Temple_, Luke xi. 51.\n\nTender Compassion fills my Heart towards my Fellow Creatures estranged\nfrom the harmonious Government of the Prince of Peace, and a Labour\nattends me, that they may be gathered to this peaceable Habitation.\n\nIn being inwardly prepared to suffer Adversity for Christ's Sake, and\nweaned from a Dependance on the Arm of Flesh, we feel, that there is a\nRest for the People of God, and that it stands in a perfect Resignation\nof ourselves to his Holy Will; in this Condition, all our Wants and\nDesires are bounded by pure Wisdom, and our Minds wholly attentive to\nthe Counsel of Christ inwardly communicated, which hath appeared to me\nas a Habitation of Safety for the Lord's People, in Times of outward\nCommotion and Trouble, and Desires from the Fountain of pure Love, are\nopened in me, to invite my Brethren and Fellow Creatures to feel for,\nand seek after that which gathers the Mind into it.\n\n    JOHN WOOLMAN.\n\n    MOUNT-HOLLY, NEW-JERSEY,\n    _4th Month 1772_.\n\n\n\n\nREMARKS ON SUNDRY SUBJECTS.\n\nBy JOHN WOOLMAN.\n\n    _LONDON_:\n    Printed by MARY HINDE.\n\n\nREMARKS &c.\n\n\nCHAPTER I\n\n    _On loving our Neighbours as ourselves_\n\nWhen we love the Lord with all our Hearts, and his Creatures in his\nLove, we are then preserv'd in Tenderness both toward Mankind and the\nAnimal Creation; but if another Spirit gets Room in our Minds, and we\nfollow it in our Proceedings, we are then in the Way of disordering the\nAffairs of Society.\n\nIf a Man successful in Business expends Part of his Income in Things of\nno real Use, while the Poor employed by him pass through great\nDifficulties in getting the Necessaries of Life, this requires his\nserious Attention.\n\nIf several principal Men in Business unite in setting the Wages of those\nwho work for Hire, and therein have Regard to a Profit to themselves\nanswerable to unnecessary Expence in their Families, while the Wages of\nthe other on a moderate Industry will not afford a comfortable Living\nfor their Families, and a proper Education for their Children, this is\nlike laying a Temptation in the Way of some to strive for a Place higher\nthan they are in, when they have not Stock sufficient for it.\n\nNow I feel a Concern in the Spring of pure Love, that all who have\nPlenty of outward Substance, may Example others in the right Use of\nThings; may carefully look into the Condition of poor People, and beware\nof exacting on them with Regard to their Wages.\n\nWhile hired Labourers, by moderate Industry, through the Divine\nBlessing, may live comfortably, raise up Families, and give them\nsuitable Education, it appears reasonable for them to be content with\ntheir Wages.\n\nIf they who have Plenty love their Fellow Creatures in that Love which\nis Divine, and in all their Proceedings have an equal Regard to the Good\nof Mankind universally, their Place in Society is a Place of Care, an\nOffice requiring Attention, and the more we possess, the greater is our\nTrust, and with an Increase of Treasure, an Increase of Care becomes\nnecessary.\n\nWhen our Will is subject to the Will of God, and in relation to the\nThings of this World, we have nothing in View, but a comfortable Living\nequally with the rest of our Fellow Creatures, then outward Treasures\nare no farther desirable than as we feel a Gift in our Minds equal to\nthe Trust, and Strength to act as dutiful Children in his Service, who\nhath formed all Mankind, and appointed a Subsistence for us in this\nWorld.\n\nA Desire for Treasures on any other Motive, appears to be against that\nCommand of our blessed Saviour, _Lay not up for yourselves Treasures\nhere on Earth_, Mat. vi. 19.\n\nHe forbids not laying up in the Summer against the Wants of Winter; nor\ndoth he teach us to be slothful in that which properly relates to our\nbeing in this World; but in this Prohibition he puts in _yourselves_,\n_Lay not up for_ yourselves _Treasures here on Earth_.\n\nNow in the pure Light, this Language is understood, for in the Love of\nChrist there is no Respect of Persons; and while we abide in his Love,\nwe live not to _ourselves_, but to him who died for us. And as we are\nthus united in Spirit to Christ, we are engaged to labour in promoting\nthat Work in the Earth for which he suffer'd.\n\nIn this State of Mind our Desires are, that every honest Member in\nSociety may have a Portion of Treasure, and Share of Trust, answerable\nto that Gift, with which our Heavenly Father hath gifted us.\n\nIn great Treasure, there is a great Trust. A great Trust requireth great\nCare. But the laborious Mind wants Rest.\n\nA pious Man is content to do a Share of Business in Society, answerable\nto the Gifts with which he is endowed, while the Channels of Business\nare free from Unrighteousness, but is careful lest at any Time his Heart\nbe over-charg'd.\n\nIn the harmonious Spirit of Society _Christ is all in all_, Col. iii.\n11.\n\nHere it is that _old Things are past away, all Things are new, all\nThings are of God_, 2 Cor. v. 17, 18, and the Desire for outward Riches\nis at an End.\n\nThey of low Degree who have small Gifts, enjoy their Help who have large\nGifts; those with their small Gifts, have a small degree of Care, while\nthese with their large Gifts, have a large degree of Care: And thus to\nabide in the Love of Christ, and enjoy a comfortable Living in this\nWorld is all that is aimed at by those Members in Society, to whom\nChrist is made Wisdom and Righteousness.\n\nBut when they who have much Treasure, are not faithful Stewards of the\nGifts of God, great Difficulties attend it.\n\nNow this Matter hath deeply affected my Mind. The Lord, through merciful\nChastisements, hath given me a Feeling of that Love, in which the\nHarmony of Society standeth, and a Sight of the Growth of that Seed\nwhich bringeth forth Wars and great Calamities in the World, and a\nLabour attends me to open it to others.\n\nNow to act with Integrity, according to that Strength of Mind and Body\nwith which our Creator hath endowed each of us, appears necessary for\nall, and he who thus stands in the lowest Station, appears to be\nentitled to as comfortable and convenient a Living, as he whose Gifts of\nMind are greater, and whose Cares are more extensive.\n\nIf some endowed with strong Understandings as Men, abide not in the\nharmonious State, in which we _love our Neighbours as ourselves_, but\nwalk in that Spirit in which the Children of this World are wise in\ntheir Generation; these by the Strength of Contrivance may sometimes\ngather great Treasure, but the Wisdom of this World is Foolishness with\nGod; and if we gather Treasures in Worldly Wisdom, we lay up _Treasures\nfor ourselves_; and great Treasures managed in any other Spirit, than\nthe Spirit of Truth, disordereth the Affairs of Society, for hereby the\ngood Gifts of God in this outward Creation are turned into the Channels\nof Worldly Honour, and frequently applied to support Luxury, while the\nWages of poor Labourers are such, that with moderate Industry and\nFrugality they may not live comfortably, raise up Families, and give\nthem suitable Education, but through the Streightness of their\nCondition, are often drawn on to labour under Weariness, to toil through\nHardships themselves, and frequently to oppress those useful Animals\nwith which we are intrusted.\n\nFrom Age to Age, throughout all Ages, Divine Love is that alone, in\nwhich Dominion has been, is, and will be rightly conducted.\n\nIn this the Endowments of Men are so employed, that the Friend and the\nGovernor are united in one, and oppressive Customs come to an End.\n\nRiches in the Hands of Individuals in Society, is attended with some\ndegree of Power; and so far as Power is put forth separate from pure\nLove, so far the Government of the Prince of Peace is interrupted; and\nas we know not that our Children after us will dwell in that State in\nwhich Power is rightly applied, to lay up Riches for them appears to be\nagainst the Nature of his Government.\n\nThe Earth, through the Labour of Men under the Blessing of him who\nformed it, yieldeth a Supply for the Inhabitants from Generation to\nGeneration, and they who walk in the pure Light, their Minds are\nprepared to taste and relish not only those Blessings which are\nspiritual, but also feel a Sweetness and Satisfaction in a right Use of\nthe good Gifts of God in the visible Creation.\n\nHere we see that Man's Happiness stands not in great Possessions, but in\na Heart devoted to follow Christ, in that Use of Things, where Customs\ncontrary to universal Love have no Power over us.\n\nIn this State our Hearts are prepared to trust in God, and our Desires\nfor our Children and Posterity are, that they, with the rest of Mankind,\nin Ages to come, may be of that Number, of whom he hath said, _I will be\na Father to them, and they shall be my Sons and Daughters_, 2 Cor. vi.\n18.\n\nWhen Wages in a fruitful Land bear so small a Proportion to the\nNecessaries of Life, that poor honest People who have Families cannot\nby a moderate Industry attain to a comfortable Living, and give their\nChildren sufficient Learning, but must either labour to a degree of\nOppression, or else omit that which appears to be a Duty.\n\nWhile this is the Case with the Poor, there is an Inclination in the\nMinds of most People, to prepare at least so much Treasure for their\nChildren, that they with Care and moderate Industry may live free from\nthese Hardships which the Poor pass through.\n\nNow this Subject requireth our serious Consideration: To labour that our\nChildren may be put in a Way to live comfortably, appears in itself to\nbe a Duty, so long as these our Labours are consistent with universal\nRighteousness; but if in striving to shun Poverty, we do not walk in\nthat State where _Christ is our Life_, then we wander; _He that hath the\nSon, hath Life_, 1 John v. 12. _This Life is the Light of Men_, 1 John\n1. 4. If we walk not in this Light, we walk in Darkness, and _he that\nwalketh in Darkness, knoweth not whither he goeth_, John xii. 35.\n\nTo keep to right Means in labouring to attain a right End is necessary:\nIf in striving to shun Poverty, we strive only in that State where\nChrist is the Light of our Life, our Labours will stand in the true\nHarmony of Society; but if People are confident that the End aimed at is\ngood, and in this Confidence pursue it so eagerly, as not to wait for\nthe Spirit of Truth to lead them, then they come to Loss. _Christ is\ngiven to be a Leader and Commander of the People_, Isaiah lv. 4. Again;\n_The Lord shall guide thee continually_, Isaiah lviii. 12. Again; _Lord,\nthou wilt ordain Peace for us, for thou also hast wrought all our Works\nin us_, Isaiah xxvi. 12.\n\n_In the Lord have we Righteousness and Strength_, Isaiah xlv. 24.\n\nIn this State our Minds are preserved watchful in following the Leadings\nof his Spirit in all our Proceedings in this World, and a Care is felt\nfor a Reformation in general. That our own Posterity, with the rest of\nMankind in succeeding Ages, may not be entangled by oppressive Customs,\ntransmitted to them through our Hands; but if People in the Narrowness\nof natural Love, are afraid that their Children will be oppressed by\nthe Rich, and through an eager Desire to get Treasures, depart from the\npure Leadings of Truth in one Case, though it may seem to be a small\nMatter, yet the Mind even in that small Matter may be embolden'd to\ncontinue in a Way of Proceeding, without waiting for the Divine Leader.\n\nThus People may grow expert in Business, wise in the Wisdom of this\nWorld, retain a fair Reputation amongst Men, and yet being Strangers to\nthe Voice of Christ, the safe Leader of his Flock, the Treasures thus\ngotten, may be like Snares to the Feet of their Posterity.\n\nNow to keep faithful to the pure Counsellor, and under trying\nCircumstances suffer Adversity for Righteousness Sake, in this there is\na Reward.\n\nIf we, being poor, are hardly dealt with by those who are rich, and\nunder this Difficulty are frugal and industrious, and in true Humility\nopen our Case to them who oppress us, this may reach the pure Witness in\ntheir Minds; and though we should remain under Difficulties as to the\noutward, yet if we abide in the Love of Christ, all will work for our\nGood.\n\nWhen we feel what it is to suffer in the true suffering State, then we\nexperience the Truth of those Expressions, that, _as the Sufferings of\nChrist abound in us, so our Consolation aboundeth by Christ_, 2 Cor. i.\n5.\n\nBut if poor People who are hardly dealt with, do not attain to the true\nsuffering State, do not labour in true Love with those who deal hardly\nwith them, but envy their outward Greatness, murmur in their Hearts\nbecause of their own Poverty, and strive in the Wisdom of this World to\nget Riches for themselves and their Children; this is like wandering in\nthe Dark.\n\nIf we who are of a middle Station between Riches and Poverty, are\naffected at Times with the Oppressions of the Poor, and feel a tender\nRegard for our Posterity after us, O how necessary is it that we wait\nfor the pure Counsel of Truth!\n\nMany have seen the Hardships of the Poor, felt an eager Desire that\ntheir Children may be put in a Way to escape these Hardships; but how\nfew have continued in that pure Love which openeth our Understandings to\nproceed rightly under these Difficulties!\n\nHow few have faithfully followed that Holy Leader who prepares his\nPeople to labour for the Restoration of true Harmony amongst our Fellow\nCreatures!\n\n_In the pure Gospel Spirit we walk by Faith and not by Sight_, 2 Cor. v.\n7.\n\nIn the Obedience of Faith we die to the Narrowness of Self-love, and our\nLife being hid with Christ in God, our Hearts are enlarg'd toward\nMankind universally; but in departing from the true Light of Life, many\nin striving to get Treasures have stumbled upon the dark Mountains.\n\nNow that Purity of Life which proceeds from Faithfulness in following\nthe Spirit of Truth, that State where our Minds are devoted to serve\nGod, and all our Wants are bounded by his Wisdom, this Habitation has\noften been open'd before me as a Place of Retirement for the Children of\nthe Light, where we may stand separated from that which disordereth and\nconfuseth the Affairs of Society, and where we may have a Testimony of\nour Innocence in the Hearts of those who behold us.\n\nThrough departing from the Truth as it is in Jesus, through introducing\nWays of Life attended with unnecessary Expences, many Wants have arisen,\nthe Minds of People have been employ'd in studying to get Wealth, and in\nthis Pursuit some departing from Equity, have retain'd a Profession of\nReligion; others have look'd at their Example, and thereby been\nstrengthen'd to proceed further in the same Way: Thus many have\nencourag'd the Trade of taking Men from _Africa_, and selling them as\nSlaves.\n\nIt hath been computed that near One Hundred Thousand Negroes have of\nlate Years been taken annually from that Coast, by Ships employed in the\n_English_ Trade.\n\nAs I have travell'd on religious Visits in some Parts of _America_, I\nhave seen many of these People under the Command of Overseers, in a\npainful Servitude.\n\nI have beheld them as _Gentiles_ under People professing _Christianity_,\nnot only kept ignorant of the Holy Scriptures, but under great\nProvocations to Wrath; of whom it may truly be said, _They that rule\nover them make them to howl, and the Holy Name is abundantly\nblasphemed_, Isaiah lii. 5.\n\nWhere Children are taught to read the Sacred Writings, while young, and\nexampled in Meekness and Humility, it is often helpful to them; nor is\nthis any more than a Debt due from us to a succeeding Age.\n\nBut where Youth are pinched for want of the Necessaries of Life, forced\nto labour hard under the harsh Rebukes of rigorous Overseers, and many\nTimes endure unmerciful Whippings: In such an Education, how great are\nthe Disadvantages they lie under! And how forcibly do these Things work\nagainst the Increase of the Government of the Prince of Peace!\n\n_Humphrey Smith_, in his Works, p. 125, speaking of the tender Feelings\nof the Love of God in his Heart when he was a Child, said, \"By the\nviolent wrathful Nature that ruled in others, was my Quietness\ndisturbed, and Anger begotten in me toward them, yet that of God in me\nwas not wholly overcome, but his Love was felt in my Heart, and great\nwas my Grief when the Earthly-mindedness and wrathful Nature so provoked\nme, that I was estranged from it.\n\n\"And this I write as a Warning to Parents and others, that in the Fear\nof the living God, you may train up the Youth, and may not be a Means of\nbringing them into such Alienation.\"\n\nMany are the Vanities and Luxuries of the present Age, and in labouring\nto support a Way of living conformable to the present World, the\nDeparture from that Wisdom that is pure and peaceable hath been great.\n\nUnder the Sense of a deep Revolt, and an overflowing Stream of\nUnrighteousness, my Life has been often a Life of Mourning, and tender\nDesires are raised in me, that the Nature of this Practice may be laid\nto Heart.\n\nI have read some Books wrote by People who were acquainted with the\nManner of getting Slaves in _Africa_.\n\nI have had verbal Relations of this Nature from several Negroes brought\nfrom _Africa_, who have learn'd to talk _English_.\n\nI have sundry Times heard _Englishmen_ speak on this Subject, who have\nbeen at _Africa_ on this Business; and from all these Accounts it\nappears evident that great Violence is committed, and much Blood shed in\n_Africa_ in getting Slaves.\n\nWhen three or four Hundred Slaves are put in the Hold of a Vessel in a\nhot Climate, their Breathing soon affects the Air. Were that Number of\nfree People to go Passengers with all Things proper for their Voyage,\nthere would Inconvenience arise from their Number; but Slaves are taken\nby Violence, and frequently endeavour to kill the white People, that\nthey may return to their Native Land. Hence they are frequently kept\nunder some Sort of Confinement, by Means of which a Scent ariseth in the\nHold of a Ship, and Distempers often break out amongst them, of which\nmany die. Of this tainted Air in the Hold of Ships freighted with\nSlaves, I have had several Accounts, some in Print, and some verbal, and\nall agree that the Scent is grievous. When these People are sold in\n_America_, and in the Islands, they are made to labour in a Manner more\nservile and constant, than that which they were used to at Home, that\nwith Grief, with different Diet from what has been common with them, and\nwith hard Labour, some Thousands are computed to die every Year, in what\nis called the Seasoning.\n\nThus it appears evident, that great Numbers of these People are brought\nevery Year to an untimely End; many of them being such who never injured\nus.\n\nWhen the Innocent suffer under hard-hearted Men, even unto Death, and\nthe Channels of Equity are so obstructed, that the Cause of the\nSufferers is not judged in Righteousness, _the Land is polluted with\nBlood_, Numb. xxxv. 33.\n\nWhen Blood hath been shed unrighteously, and remains unatoned for, the\nCry thereof is very piercing.\n\nUnder the humbling Dispensations of Divine Providence, this Cry hath\ndeeply affected my Heart, and I feel a Concern to open, as I may be\nenabled, that which lieth heavy on my Mind.\n\nWhen _the Iniquity of the House of_ Israel _and of_ Judah _was\nexceeding great, when the Land was defiled with Blood, and the City full\nof Perverseness_, Ezek. ix. 9. _some were found sighing and crying for\nthe Abominations of the Times_, Ezek. ix. 4. and such who live under a\nright Feeling of our Condition as a Nation, these I trust will be\nsensible that the Lord at this Day doth call to Mourning, though many\nare ignorant of it. So powerful are bad Customs when they become\ngeneral, that People growing bold thro' the Examples one of another,\nhave often been unmoved at the most serious Warnings.\n\nOur blessed Saviour speaking of the People of the old World, said, _They\neat, they drank, they married, and were given in Marriage, until the Day\nthat_ Noah _went into the Ark, and the Flood came and destroy'd them\nall_, Luke xvii. 27.\n\nThe like he spake concerning the People of _Sodom_, who are also\nrepresented by the Prophet as haughty, luxurious, and oppressive; _This\nwas the Sin of_ Sodom, _Pride, Fulness of Bread, and Abundance of\nIdleness was found in her, and in her Daughters; neither did she\nstrengthen the Hands of the Poor and Needy_, Ezek. xvi. 49.\n\nNow in a Revolt so deep as this, when much Blood has been shed\nunrighteously, in carrying on the Slave Trade, and in supporting the\nPractice of keeping Slaves, which at this Day is unatoned for, and\ncrieth from the Earth, and from the Seas against the Oppressor!\n\nWhile this Practice is continued, and under a great Load of Guilt there\nis more Unrighteousness committed, the State of Things is very moving!\n\nThere is a Love which stands in Nature, and a Parent beholding his Child\nin Misery, hath a Feeling of the Affliction; but in Divine Love the\nHeart is enlarged towards Mankind universally, and prepar'd to\nsympathize with Strangers, though in the lowest Station in Life.\n\nOf this the Prophet appears to have had a Feeling, when he said, _Have\nwe not all one Father? Hath not one God created us? Why then do we deal\ntreacherously every Man with his Brother, in prophaning the Covenant of\nour Fathers?_ Mal. ii. 10.\n\nHe who of old heard the Groans of the Children of _Israel_ under the\nhard Task-masters in _Egypt_, I trust hath looked down from his Holy\nHabitation on the Miseries of these deeply oppress'd People. Many Lives\nhave been shorten'd through extreme Oppression while they labour'd to\nsupport Luxury and Worldly Greatness; and tho' many People in outward\nProsperity may think little of those Things, yet the gracious Creator\nhath Regard to the Cries of the Innocent, however unnoticed by Men.\n\nThe Lord in the Riches of his Goodness is leading some into the Feeling\nof the Condition of this People, who cannot rest without labouring as\ntheir Advocate; of which in some Measure I have had Experience, for, in\nthe Movings of his Love in my Heart, these poor Sufferers have been\nbrought near to me.\n\nThe unoffending Aged and Infirm made to labour too hard, kept on a Diet\nless comfortable than their weak State required, and exposed to great\nDifficulties under hard-hearted Men, to whose Sufferings I have often\nbeen a Witness, and under the Heart-melting Power of Divine Love, their\nMisery hath felt to me like the Misery of my Parents.\n\nInnocent Youth taken by Violence from their Native Land, from their\nFriends and Acquaintance; put on board Ships with Hearts laden with\nSorrow; exposed to great Hardships at Sea; placed under People, where\ntheir Lives have been attended with great Provocation to Anger and\nRevenge.\n\nWith the Condition of these Youth, my Mind hath often been affected, as\nwith the Afflictions of my Children, and in a Feeling of the Misery of\nthese People, and of that great Offence which is minister'd to them, my\nTears have been often poured out before the Lord.\n\nThat Holy Spirit which affected my Heart when I was a Youth, I trust is\noften felt by the Negroes in their Native Land, inclining their Minds to\nthat which is righteous, and had the professed Followers of Christ in\nall their Conduct towards them, manifested a Disposition answerable to\nthe pure Principle in their Hearts, how might the Holy Name have been\nhonoured amongst the _Gentiles_, and how might we have rejoiced in the\nfulfilling of that Prophecy, _I the Lord love Judgment, I hate Robbery\nfor Burnt-offerings, and I will direct their Work in Truth, and make an\neverlasting Covenant with them. Their Seed shall be known amongst the_\nGentiles, _and their Offspring amongst the People: All that see them\nshall acknowledge them, that they are the Seed which the Lord hath\nblessed_, Isaiah lxi. 8, 9.\n\nBut in the present State of Things, how contrary is this Practice to\nthat meek Spirit, in which our Saviour laid down his Life for us, that\nall the Ends of the Earth might know Salvation in his Name!\n\nHow are the Sufferings of our blessed Redeemer set at nought, and his\nName blasphemed amongst the _Gentiles_, through the unrighteous\nProceedings of his profess'd Followers!\n\nMy Mind hath often been affected, even from the Days of my Youth, under\na Sense of that marvellous Work, for which God, in infinite Goodness,\nsent his Son into the World.\n\nThe opening of that Spring of living Waters, which the true Believers in\nChrist experience, by which they are redeemed from Pride and\nCovetousness, and brought into a State of Meekness, where their Hearts\nare enlarged in true Love toward their Fellow Creatures universally;\nthis Work to me has been precious, and the Spreading the Knowledge of\nthe Truth amongst the _Gentiles_ been very desirable. And the professed\nFollowers of Christ joining in Customs evidently unrighteous, which\nmanifestly tend to stir up Wrath, and increase Wars and Desolations,\nhath often covered my Mind with Sorrow.\n\nIf we bring this Matter home, and as _Job_ proposed to his Friends, _Put\nour Soul in their Soul's stead_, Job xvi. 4.\n\nIf we consider ourselves and our Children as exposed to the Hardships\nwhich these People lie under in supporting an imaginary Greatness.\n\nDid we in such Case behold an Increase of Luxury and Superfluity amongst\nour Oppressors, and therewith felt an Increase of the Weight of our\nBurdens, and expected our Posterity to groan under Oppression after us.\n\nUnder all this Misery, had we none to plead our Cause, nor any Hope of\nRelief from Man, how would our Cries ascend to the God of the Spirits of\nall Flesh, who judgeth the World in Righteousness, and in his own Time\nis a Refuge for the Oppressed!\n\nIf they who thus afflicted us, continued to lay Claim to Religion, and\nwere assisted in their Business by others, esteemed pious People, who\nthrough a Friendship with them strengthened their Hands in Tyranny.\n\nIn such a State, when we were Hunger-bitten, and could not have\nsufficient Nourishment but saw them in fulness pleasing their Taste with\nThings fetched from far:\n\nWhen we were wearied with Labour, denied the Liberty to rest, and saw\nthem spending their Time at Ease: When Garments answerable to our\nNecessities were denied us, while we saw them cloathed in that which was\ncostly and delicate:\n\nUnder such Affliction, how would these painful Feelings rise up as\nWitnesses against their pretended Devotion! And if the Name of their\nReligion was mention'd in our Hearing, how would it sound in our Ears\nlike a Word which signified Self-exaltation, and Hardness of Heart!\n\nWhen a Trade is carried on, productive of much Misery, and they who\nsuffer by it are some Thousands Miles off, the Danger is the greater, of\nnot laying their Sufferings to Heart.\n\nIn procuring Slaves on the Coast of _Africa_, many Children are stolen\nprivately; Wars also are encouraged amongst the Negroes, but all is at a\ngreat Distance.\n\nMany Groans arise from dying Men, which we hear not.\n\nMany Cries are uttered by Widows and Fatherless Children, which reach\nnot our Ears.\n\nMany Cheeks are wet with Tears, and Faces sad with unutterable Grief,\nwhich we see not.\n\nCruel Tyranny is encouraged. The Hands of Robbers are strengthened, and\nThousands reduced to the most abject Slavery, who never injured us.\n\nWere we for the Term of one Year only to be an Eye-witness to what\npasseth in getting these Slaves:\n\nWas the Blood which is there shed to be sprinkled on our Garments:\n\nWere the poor Captives bound with Thongs, heavy laden with Elephants\nTeeth, to pass before our Eyes on their Way to the Sea:\n\nWere their bitter Lamentations Day after Day to ring in our Ears, and\ntheir mournful Cries in the Night to hinder us from Sleeping:\n\nWere we to hear the Sound of the Tumult when the Slaves on board the\nShips attempt to kill the _English_, and behold the Issue of those\nbloody Conflicts:\n\nWhat pious Man could be a Witness to these Things, and see a Trade\ncarried on in this Manner, without being deeply affected with Sorrow?\n\nThrough abiding in the Love of Christ we feel a Tenderness in our Hearts\ntoward our Fellow Creatures, entangled in oppressive Customs; and a\nConcern so to walk, that our Conduct may not be a Means of strength'ning\nthem in Error.\n\nIt was the Command of the Lord through _Moses, Thou shalt not suffer Sin\nupon thy Brother: Thou shalt in anywise rebuke thy Brother, and shalt\nnot suffer Sin upon him_, Lev. xix. 17.\n\nAgain; _Keep far from a false Matter; and the Innocent and Righteous\nslay thou not_, Exod. xxiii. 7.\n\nThe Prophet _Isaiah_ mentions Oppression as that which the true Church\nin Time of outward Quiet should not only be clear of, but should be _far\nfrom it_; _Thou shalt be far from Oppression_, Isaiah liv. 14. Now these\nWords, _far from_, appear to have an extensive Meaning, and to convey\nInstruction in regard to that of which _Solomon_ speaks, _Though Hand\njoin in Hand, the Wicked shall not go unpunished_, Prov. xvi. 5.\n\nIt was a Complaint against one of old, _When thou sawest a Thief, thou\nconsentedst with him_, Psal. l. 18.\n\nThe Prophet _Jeremiah_ represents the Degrees of Preparation toward\nIdolatrous Sacrifice, in the Similitude of a Work carried on by\nChildren, Men, and Women: _The Children gather Wood, the Fathers kindle\nthe Fire, and the Women knead the Dough to bake Cakes for the Queen of\nHeaven_, Jer. vii. 18.\n\nIt was a complaint of the Lord against _Israel_, through his Prophet\n_Ezekiel_, that _they strengthen'd the Hands of the Wicked, and made the\nHearts of the Righteous sad_, Ezek. xiii. 12.\n\nSome Works of Iniquity carried on by the People were represented by the\nProphet _Hosea_, in the Similitude of Ploughing, Reaping, and eating the\nFruit; _You have ploughed Wickedness, reaped Iniquity, eaten the Fruit\nof Lying, because thou didst trust in thy own Way, to the Multitude of\nthy mighty Men_, Hosea x. 13.\n\nI have felt great Distress of Mind since I came on this Island, on\nAccount of the Members of our Society being mixed with the World in\nvarious Sorts of Business and Traffick, carried on in impure Channels.\nGreat is the Trade to _Africa_ for Slaves; and in loading these Ships\nabundance of People are employ'd in the Manufactories.\n\nFriends in early Time refused, on a religious Principle, to make or\ntrade in Superfluities, of which we have many large Testimonies on\nRecord, but for want of Faithfulness some gave way, even some whose\nExamples were of Note in Society, and from thence others took more\nLiberty: Members of our Society worked in Superfluities, and bought and\nsold them, and thus Dimness of Sight came over many. At length, Friends\ngot into the Use of some Superfluities in Dress, and in the Furniture of\ntheir Houses, and this hath spread from less to more, till Superfluity\nof some Kind is common amongst us.\n\nIn this declining State many look at the Example one of another, and too\nmuch neglect the pure Feeling of Truth. Of late Years a deep Exercise\nhath attended my Mind, that Friends may dig deep, may carefully cast\nforth the loose Matter, and get down to the Rock, the sure Foundation,\nand there hearken to that Divine Voice which gives a clear and certain\nSound.\n\nAnd I have felt in that which doth not deceive, that if Friends who have\nknown the Truth, keep in that Tenderness of Heart, where all Views of\noutward Gain are given up, and their Trust is only on the Lord, he will\ngraciously lead some to be Patterns of deep Self-denial, in Things\nrelating to Trade, and handicraft Labour; and that some who have Plenty\nof the Treasures of this World, will example in a plain frugal Life,\nand pay Wages to such whom they may hire, more liberally than is now\ncustomary in some Places.\n\nThe Prophet, speaking of the true Church, said, _Thy People also shall\nbe all righteous._\n\nOf the Depth of this Divine Work several have spoken.\n\n_John Gratton_, in his Journal, p. 45, said, \"The Lord is my Portion, I\nshall not want. He hath wrought all my Works in me. I am nothing but\nwhat I am in him.\"\n\n_Gilbert Latey_, through the powerful Operations of the Spirit of Christ\nin his Soul, was brought to that Depth of Self-denial, that he could not\njoin with that proud Spirit in other People, which inclined them to want\nVanities and Superfluities. This Friend was often amongst the chief\nRulers of the Nation in Times of Persecution, and it appears by the\nTestimony of Friends, that his Dwelling was so evidently in the pure\nLife of Truth, that in his Visits to those great Men, he found a Place\nin their Minds; and that King _James_ the Second, in the Times of his\nTroubles, made particular Mention in a very respectful Manner of what\n_Gilbert_ once said to him.\n\nThe said _Gilbert_ found a Concern to write an Epistle, in which are\nthese Expressions; \"Fear the Lord, ye Men of all Sorts, Trades, and\nCallings, and leave off all the Evil that is in them, for the Lord is\ngrieved with all the Evils used in your Employments which you are\nexercised in.\n\n\"It is even a Grief to see how you are Servants to Sin, and Instruments\nof Satan.\" See his Works, Page 42, _etc._ _George Fox_, in an Epistle,\nwrites thus: \"Friends, stand in the Eternal Power of God, Witness\nagainst the Pomps and Vanities of this World.\n\n\"Such Tradesmen who stand as Witnesses in the Power of God, cannot\nfulfil the People's Minds in these Vanities, and therefore they are\noffended at them.\n\n\"Let all trust in the Lord, and wait patiently on him; for when Trust\nfirst broke forth in _London_, many Tradesmen could not take so much\nMoney in their Shops for some Time, as would buy them Bread and Water,\nbecause they withstood the World's Ways, Fashions, and Customs; yet by\ntheir patient waiting on the Lord in their good Life and Conversation,\nthey answer'd the Truth in People's Hearts, and thus their Business\nincreased.\" Book of Doctrinals, Page 824.\n\nNow Christ our Holy Leader graciously continueth to open the\nUnderstandings of his People, and as Circumstances alter from Age to\nAge, some who are deeply baptized into a Feeling of the State of Things,\nare led by his Holy Spirit into Exercises in some respect different from\nthose which attended the Faithful in foregoing Ages, and through the\nConstrainings of pure Love, are engaged to open the Feelings they have\nto others.\n\nIn faithfully following Christ, the Heart is weaned from the Desires of\nRiches, and we are led into a Life so plain and simple, that a little\ndoth suffice, and thus the Way openeth to deny ourselves, under all the\ntempting Allurements of that Gain, which we know is the Gain of\nUnrighteousness.\n\nThe Apostle speaking on this Subject, asketh this Question; _What\nFellowship hath Righteousness with Unrighteousness?_ 2 Cor. vi. 14. And\nagain saith, _Have no Fellowship with the unfruitful Works of Darkness,\nbut rather reprove them_, Ephes. v. 11. Again, _Be not Partaker of other\nMen's Sins, keep thyself pure_, 1 Tim. v. 22.\n\nWhere People through the Power of Christ are thoroughly settled in a\nright Use of Things, freed from all unnecessary Care and Expence, the\nMind in this true Resignation is at Liberty from the Bands of a narrow\nSelf-Interest, to attend from Time to Time on the Movings of his Spirit\nupon us, though he leads into that through which our Faith is closely\ntried.\n\nThe Language of Christ is pure, and to the Pure in Heart this pure\nLanguage is intelligible; but in the Love of Money, the Mind being\nintent on Gain, is too full of human Contrivance to attend to it.\n\nIt appeareth evident, that some Channels of Trade are defiled with\nUnrighteousness, that the Minds of many are intent on getting Treasures\nto support a Life, in which there are many unnecessary Expences.\n\nAnd I feel a living Concern attend my Mind, that under these\nDifficulties we may humbly follow our Heavenly Shepherd, who graciously\nregardeth his Flock, and is willing and able to supply us both inwardly\nand outwardly with clean Provender, that hath been winnowed with the\nShovel and the Fan, where we may _sow to ourselves in Righteousness,\nreap in Mercy_, Hosea x. 12. and not be defiled with the Works of\nIniquity.\n\nWhere Customs contrary to pure Wisdom are transmitted to Posterity, it\nappears to be an Injury committed against them; and I often feel tender\nCompassion toward a young Generation, and Desires that their\nDifficulties may not be increased through Unfaithfulness in us of the\npresent Age.\n\n\nCHAPTER II\n\n    _On a_ SAILOR'S LIFE\n\nIn the Trade to _Africa_ for Slaves, and in the Management of Ships\ngoing on these Voyages, many of our Lads and young Men have a\nconsiderable Part of their Education.\n\nNow what pious Father beholding his Son placed in one of these Ships, to\nlearn the Practice of a Mariner, could forbear mourning over him?\n\nWhere Youth are exampled in Means of getting Money so full of Violence,\nand used to exercise such Cruelties on their Fellow Creatures, the\nDisadvantage to them in their Education is very great.\n\nBut I feel it in my Mind to write concerning the Seafaring Life in\ngeneral.\n\nIn the Trade carried on from the _West-Indies_, and from some Part of\nthe Continent, the Produce of the Labour of Slaves is a considerable\nPart.\n\nAnd Sailors who are frequently at Ports where Slaves abound, and\nconverse often with People who oppress without the Appearance of\nRemorse, and often with Sailors employ'd in the Slave Trade, how\npowerfully do these evil Examples spread amongst the Seafaring Youth!\n\nI have had many Opportunities to feel and understand the general State\nof the Seafaring Life amongst us, and my Mind hath often been sad on\nAccount of so many Lads and young Men been trained up amidst so great\nCorruption.\n\nUnder the humbling Power of Christ I have seen, that if the Leadings of\nhis Holy Spirit were faithfully attended to by his professed Followers\nin general, the Heathen Nations would be exampled in Righteousness. A\nless Number of People would be employed on the Seas. The Channels of\nTrade would be more free from Defilement. Fewer People would be\nemployed in Vanities and Superfluities.\n\nThe Inhabitants of Cities would be less in Number.\n\nThose who have much Lands would become Fathers to the Poor.\n\nMore People would be employed in the sweet Employment of Husbandry, and\nin the Path of pure Wisdom, Labour would be an agreeable, healthful\nEmployment.\n\nIn the Opening of these Things in my Mind, I feel a living Concern that\nwe who have felt Divine Love in our Hearts may faithfully abide in it,\nand like good Soldiers endure Hardness for Christ's Sake.\n\nHe, our blessed Saviour, exhorting his Followers to love one another,\nadds, _As I have loved you_. John xiii. 34.\n\nHe loved _Lazarus_, yet in his Sickness did not heal him, but left him\nto endure the Pains of Death, that in restoring him to Life, the People\nmight be confirmed in the true Faith.\n\nHe loved his Disciples, but sent them forth on a Message attended with\ngreat Difficulty, amongst Hard-hearted People, some of whom would think\nthat in killing them they did God Service.\n\nSo deep is Divine Love, that in stedfastly abiding in it, we are\nprepar'd to deny ourselves of all that Gain which is contrary to pure\nWisdom, and to follow Christ, even under Contempt, and through\nSufferings.\n\nWhile Friends were kept truly humble, and walked according to the Purity\nof our Principles, the Divine Witness in many Hearts was reached; but\nwhen a Worldly Spirit got Entrance, therewith came in Luxuries and\nSuperfluities, and spread by little and little, even among the foremost\nRank in Society, and from thence others took Liberty in that Way more\nabundantly.\n\nIn the Continuation of these Things from Parents to Children, there were\nmany Wants to supply, even Wants unknown to Friends while they\nfaithfully followed Christ. And in striving to supply these Wants many\nhave exacted on the Poor, many have enter'd on Employments, in which\nthey often labour in upholding Pride and Vanity. Many have looked on one\nanother, been strengthen'd in these Things, one by the Example of\nanother, and as to the pure Divine Seeing, Dimness hath come over many,\nand the Channels of true Brotherly Love been obstructed.\n\nPeople may have no intention to oppress, yet by entering on expensive\nWays of Life, their Minds may be so entangled therein, and so engag'd to\nsupport expensive Customs, as to be estranged from the pure sympathizing\nSpirit.\n\nAs I have travell'd in _England_, I have had a tender Feeling of the\nCondition of poor People, some of whom though honest and industrious,\nhave nothing to spare toward paying for the Schooling of their Children.\n\nThere is a Proportion between Labour and the Necessaries of Life, and in\ntrue Brotherly Love the Mind is open to feel after the Necessities of\nthe Poor.\n\nAmongst the Poor there are some that are weak through Age, and others of\na weakly Nature, who pass through Straits in very private Life, without\nasking Relief from the Publick.\n\nSuch who are strong and healthy may do that Business, which to the\nWeakly may be oppressive; and in performing that in a Day which is\nesteem'd a Day's Labour, by weakly Persons in the Field and in the\nShops, and by weakly Women who spin and knit in the Manufactories, they\noften pass through Weariness; and many Sighs I believe are uttered in\nsecret, unheard by some who might ease their Burdens.\n\nLabour in the right Medium is healthy, but in too much of it there is a\npainful Weariness; and the Hardships of the Poor are sometimes increased\nthrough Want of a more agreeable Nourishment, more plentiful Fewel for\nthe Fire, and warmer Cloathing in the Winter than their Wages will\nanswer.\n\nWhen I have beheld Plenty in some Houses to a Degree of Luxury, the\nCondition of poor Children brought up without Learning, and the\nCondition of the Weakly and Aged, who strive to live by their Labour,\nhave often revived in my Mind, as Cases of which some who live in\nFulness need to be put in Remembrance.\n\nThere are few, if any, could behold their Fellow Creatures lie long in\nDistress and forbear to help them, when they could do it without any\nInconvenience; but Customs requiring much Labour to support them, do\noften lie heavy on the Poor, while they who live in these Customs are so\nentangled in a Multitude of unnecessary Concerns that they think but\nlittle of the Hardships which the poor People go through.\n\n\nCHAPTER III\n\n    _On_ SILENT WORSHIP\n\nWorship in Silence hath often been refreshing to my Mind, and a Care\nattends me that a young Generation may feel the Nature of this Worship.\n\nGreat Expence ariseth in Relation to that which is call'd Divine\nWorship.\n\nA considerable Part of this Expence is applied toward outward Greatness,\nand many poor People in raising of Tithe, labour in supporting Customs\ncontrary to the Simplicity that there is in Christ, toward whom my Mind\nhath often been moved with Pity.\n\nIn pure silent Worship, we dwell under the Holy Anointing, and feel\nChrist to be our Shepherd.\n\nHere the best of Teachers ministers to the several Conditions of his\nFlock, and the Soul receives immediately from the Divine Fountain, that\nwith which it is nourished.\n\nAs I have travelled at Times where those of other Societies have\nattended our Meetings, and have perceiv'd how little some of them knew\nof the Nature of silent Worship; I have felt tender Desires in my Heart\nthat we who often sit silent in our Meetings, may live answerable to the\nNature of an inward Fellowship with God, that no Stumbling-block through\nus, may be laid in their Way.\n\nSuch is the Load of unnecessary Expence which lieth on that which is\ncalled Divine Service in many Places, and so much are the Minds of many\nPeople employ'd in outward Forms and Ceremonies, that the opening of an\ninward silent Worship in this Nation to me hath appeared to be a\nprecious Opening.\n\nWithin the last four Hundred Years, many pious People have been deeply\nexercised in Soul on Account of the Superstition which prevailed amongst\nthe professed Followers of Christ, and in support of their Testimony\nagainst oppressive Idolatry, some in several Ages have finished their\nCourse in the Flames.\n\nIt appears by the History of the Reformation, that through the\nFaithfulness of the Martyrs, the Understandings of many have been\nopened, and the Minds of People, from Age to Age, been more and more\nprepared for a real spiritual Worship.\n\nMy Mind is often affected with a Sense of the Condition of those People\nwho in different Ages have been meek and patient, following Christ\nthrough great Afflictions: And while I behold the several Steps, of\nReformation, and that Clearness, to which through Divine Goodness, it\nhath been brought by our Ancestors; I feel tender Desires that we who\nsometimes meet in Silence, may never by our Conduct lay Stumbling-blocks\nin the Way of others, and hinder the Progress of the Reformation in the\nWorld.\n\nIt was a Complaint against some who were called the Lord's People, that\nthey brought polluted Bread to his Altar, and said the Table of the Lord\nwas contemptible.\n\nIn real silent Worship the Soul feeds on that which is Divine; but we\ncannot partake of the Table of the Lord, and that Table which is\nprepared by the God of this World.\n\nIf Christ is our Shepherd, and feedeth us, and we are faithful in\nfollowing him, our Lives will have an inviting Language, and the Table\nof the Lord will not be polluted.\n\n\n\n\nSOME EXPRESSIONS OF JOHN WOOLMAN IN HIS LAST ILNESS.\n\n    _LONDON_:\n    Printed by MARY HINDE.\n\n\n\n\nSOME EXPRESSIONS, &c.\n\nBeing in the Course of his religious Visit at _York_, and having\nattended most of the Sittings of the Quarterly-Meeting there, held in\nthe Ninth Month, 1772, he was taken ill of the _Small Pox_, in which\nDisorder he continued about two Weeks, at Times under great Affliction\nof Body, and then departed in full Assurance of a happy Eternity, as the\nfollowing Expressions, amongst others, taken from his own Mouth, do\nplainly evidence.\n\nOne Day being asked how he felt himself, he meekly answered, \"I don't\nknow that I have slept this Night: I feel the Disorder making its\nProgress, but my Mind is mercifully preserved in Stillness and Peace.\"\nSome Time after he said, \"He was sensible the Pains of Death must be\nhard to bear, but if he escaped them now, he must some Time pass through\nthem, and did not know he could be better prepared, but had no Will in\nit.\" Said, \"He had settled his outward Affairs to his Mind; had taken\nLeave of his Wife and Family, as never to return, leaving them to the\nDivine Protection:\" Adding, \"And though I feel them near to me at this\nTime, yet I freely give them up, having an Hope they will be provided\nfor.\" And a little after said, \"This Trial is made easier than I could\nhave thought, by my Will being wholly taken away; for if I was anxious\nas to the Event, it would be harder, but I am not, and my Mind enjoys a\nperfect Calm.\"\n\nIn the Night a young Woman having given him something to drink, he said,\n\"My Child, thou seemest very kind to me, a poor Creature, the Lord will\nreward thee for it.\" A while after he cried out with great Earnestness\nof Spirit, \"Oh! my Father, my Father, how comfortable art thou to my\nSoul in this trying Season.\" Being asked if he could take a little\nNourishment, after some Pause he replied, \"My Child, I cannot tell what\nto say to it: I seem nearly arrived where my Soul shall have Rest from\nall its Troubles.\" After giving in something to be put into his Journal,\nhe said, \"I believe the Lord will now excuse me from Exercises of this\nKind, and I see no Work but one, which is to be the last wrought by me\nin this World; the Messenger will come that will release me from all\nthese Troubles, but it must be in the Lord's Time, which I am waiting\nfor.\" He said, \"He had laboured to do whatever was required, according\nto the Ability received, in the Remembrance of which he had Peace: And\nthough the Disorder was strong at Times, and would come over his Mind\nlike a Whirlwind, yet it had hitherto been kept steady, and center'd in\neverlasting Love.\" Adding, \"And if that's mercifully continued, I ask\nnor desire no more.\"\n\nAt another Time he said, \"He had long had a View of visiting this\nNation; and some Time before he came, he had a Dream, in which he saw\nhimself in the Northern Parts of it; and that the Spring of the Gospel\nwas opened in him, much as in the Beginning of Friends, such as _George\nFox_ and _William Dewsbury_; and he saw the different States of People\nas clear as ever he had seen Flowers in a Garden; but in his going on he\nwas suddenly stopt, though he could not see for what End, but looked\ntowards Home, and in that fell into a Flood of Tears, which waked him.\"\nAt another Time he said, \"My Draught seem'd strongest to the North, and\nI mentioned in my own Monthly-Meeting, that attending the\nQuarterly-Meeting at _York_, and being there, looked like Home to me.\"\n\nHaving repeatedly consented to take a Medicine with a View to settle his\nStomach, but without Effect, the Friend then waiting on him, said,\nthrough Distress, \"What shall I do now?\" He answered with great\nComposure, \"Rejoice evermore, and in every Thing give Thanks.\" But added\na little after, \"This is sometimes hard to come at.\"\n\nOne Morning early he brake forth in Supplication on this wise; \"Oh Lord!\nit was thy Power that enabled me to forsake Sin in my Youth, and I have\nfelt thy Bruises since for Disobedience, but as I bowed under them thou\nhealedst me; and though I have gone through many Trials and sore\nAfflictions, thou hast been with me, continuing a Father and a Friend. I\nfeel thy Power now, and beg that in the approaching trying Moments, thou\nwilt keep my Heart steadfast unto thee.\" Upon his giving the same Friend\nDirections concerning some little Matters, she said, \"I will take Care,\nbut hope thou mayst live to order them thyself;\" he replied, \"My Hope is\nin Christ; and though I may now seem a little better, a Change in the\nDisorder may soon happen, and my little Strength be dissolved, and if it\nso happen, I shall be gather'd to my everlasting Rest.\" On her saying,\n\"She did not doubt that, but could not help mourning to see so many\nfaithful Servants removed at so low a Time,\" he said, \"All Goodness\ncometh from the Lord, whose Power is the same, and he can work as he\nsees best.\" The same Day, after giving her Directions about wrapping his\nCorpse, and perceiving her to weep, he said, \"I had rather thou wouldst\nguard against Weeping or Sorrowing for me, my Sister; I sorrow not,\nthough I have had some painful Conflicts; but now they seem over, and\nMatters all settled, and I look at the Face of my dear Redeemer, for\nsweet is his Voice, and his Countenance comely.\"\n\nBeing very weak, and in general difficult to be understood, he uttered a\nfew Words in Commemoration of the Lord's Goodness to him; and added,\n\"How tenderly have I been waited upon in this Time of Affliction, in\nwhich I may say in _Job's_ Words, _Tedious Days and wearisome Nights are\nappointed unto me_; and how many are spending their Time and Money in\nVanity and Superfluities, while Thousands and Tens of Thousands want the\nNecessaries of Life, who might be relieved by them, and their Distresses\nat such a Time as this, in some degree softened by the administring of\nsuitable Things.\"\n\nAn Apothecary who attended him of his own Accord (he being unwilling to\nhave any sent for) appeared very anxious to assist him, with whom\nconversing, he queried about the Probability of such a Load of Matter\nbeing thrown off his weak Body, and the Apothecary making some Remarks,\nimplying he thought it might, he spoke with an audible Voice on this\nwise: \"My Dependance is in the Lord Jesus Christ, who I trust will\nforgive my Sins, which is all I hope for; and if it be his Will to raise\nup this Body again, I am content, and if to die I am resigned: And if\nthou canst not be easy without trying to assist Nature, in order to\nlengthen out my Life, I submit.\" After this, his Throat was so much\naffected, that it was very difficult for him to speak so as to be\nunderstood, and he frequently wrote when he wanted any Thing. About the\nsecond Hour on Fourth-day Morning, being the 7th of the Tenth Month,\n1772, he asked for Pen and Ink, and at several Times, with much\nDifficulty, wrote thus: \"I believe my being here is in the Wisdom of\nChrist; I know not as to Life or Death.\" About a Quarter before Six the\nsame Morning, he seemed to fall into an easy Sleep, which continued\nabout half an Hour, when seeming to awake, he breathed a few Times with\nmore Difficulty, and so expired without Sigh, Groan, or Struggle.\n\n       *       *       *       *       *\n\n_Note_, He often said, \"It was hid from him, whether he might recover,\nor not, and he was not desirous to know it; but from his own Feeling of\nthe Disorder, and his feeble Constitution, thought he should not.\"\n\n\nFINIS\n\n\nTHE TEMPLE PRESS, PRINTERS, LETCHWORTH\n\n\n\n\n\n<pre id=\"pg-footer\">","title":"The journal, with other writings of John Woolman","tradition":"scripture-revelation","translated_text":null,"word_count":84464}