_His Marriage_--_The Death of his Father_--_His Journies into the
upper Part of_ New-Jersey, _and afterwards into_
Pennsylvania--_Considerations on keeping Slaves, and his Visits to
the Families of Friends at several Times and Places_--_An Epistle
from the General Meeting_--_His Journey to_
Long-Island--_Considerations on Trading, and on the Use of
spirituous Liquors and costly Apparel_--_And his Letter to a Friend_
About this Time, believing it good for me to settle, and thinking
seriously about a Companion, my Heart was turned to the Lord with
Desires that he would give me Wisdom to proceed therein agreeable to his
Will; and he was pleased to give me a well-inclined Damsel, SARAH ELLIS;
to whom I was married the eighteenth Day of the eighth Month, in the
Year 1749.
In the fall of the Year 1750 died my Father, SAMUEL WOOLMAN, with a
Fever, aged about sixty Years.
In his Life-time he manifested much Care for us his Children, that in
our Youth we might learn to fear the Lord; often endeavouring to imprint
in our Minds the true Principles of Virtue, and particularly to cherish
in us a Spirit of Tenderness, not only towards poor People, but also
towards all Creatures of which we had the Command.
After my Return from _Carolina_, in the Year 1746, I made some
Observations on keeping Slaves, which some Time before his Decease I
shewed him; and he perused the Manuscript, proposed a few Alterations,
and appeared well satisfied that I found a Concern on that Account: And
in his last Sickness, as I was watching with him one Night, he being so
far spent that there was no Expectation of his Recovery, but having the
perfect Use of his Understanding, he asked me concerning the Manuscript,
whether I expected soon to proceed to take the Advice of Friends in
publishing it? And, after some Conversation thereon, said, I have all
along been deeply affected with the Oppression of the poor Negroes; and
now, at last, my Concern for them is as great as ever.
By his Direction I had wrote his Will in a Time of Health, and that
Night he desired me to read it to him, which I did; and he said it was
agreeable to his Mind. He then made mention of his End, which he
believed was near; and signified, that, though he was sensible of many
Imperfections in the Course of his Life, yet his Experience of the Power
of Truth, and of the Love and Goodness of God from Time to Time, even
till now, was such, that he had no Doubt but that, in leaving this Life,
he should enter into one more happy.
The next Day his Sister _Elizabeth_ came to see him, and told him of the
Decease of their Sister _Ann_, who died a few Days before: He then said,
I reckon Sister _Ann_ was free to leave this World: _Elizabeth_ said,
she was. He then said, I also am free to leave it; and, being in great
Weakness of Body, said, I hope I shall shortly go to Rest. He continued
in a weighty Frame of Mind, and was sensible till near the last.
On the second Day of the ninth Month, in the Year 1751, feeling Drawings
in my Mind to visit Friends at the _Great-Meadows_, in the upper Part of
_West-Jersey_, with the Unity of our Monthly-meeting, I went there; and
had some searching laborious Exercise amongst Friends in those Parts,
and found inward Peace therein.
In the ninth Month of the Year 1753, in Company with my well-esteemed
Friend JOHN SYKES, and with the Unity of Friends, we travelled about two
Weeks, visiting Friends in _Bucks-County_. We laboured in the Love of
the Gospel, according to the Measure received; and, through the Mercies
of him, who is Strength to the Poor who trust in him, we found
Satisfaction in our Visit: And, in the next Winter, Way opening to visit
Friends Families within the Compass of our Monthly-meeting, partly by
the Labours of two Friends from _Pennsylvania_, I joined in some Part of
the Work; having had a Desire some Time that it might go forward amongst
us.
About this Time, a Person at some Distance lying sick, his Brother came
to me to write his Will: I knew he had Slaves; and, asking his Brother,
was told he intended to leave them as Slaves to his Children. As Writing
is a profitable Employ, and as offending sober People was disagreeable
to my Inclination, I was straitened in my Mind; but, as I looked to the
Lord, he inclined my Heart to his Testimony: And I told the Man, that I
believed the Practice of continuing Slavery to this People was not
right; and had a Scruple in my Mind against doing Writings of that Kind;
that, though many in our Society kept them as Slaves, still I was not
easy to be concerned in it; and desired to be excused from going to
write the Will. I spake to him in the Fear of the Lord; and he made no
Reply to what I said, but went away: He, also, had some Concerns in the
Practice; and I thought he was displeased with me. In this Case I had a
fresh Confirmation, that acting contrary to present outward Interest,
from a Motive of divine Love, and in Regard to Truth and Righteousness,
opens the Way to a Treasure better than Silver, and to a Friendship
exceeding the Friendship of Men.
The Manuscript before-mentioned having lain by me several Years, the
Publication of it rested weightily upon me; and this Year I offered it
to the Revisal of Friends, who, having examined and made some small
Alterations in it, directed a Number of Copies thereof to be published,
and dispersed amongst Friends.
In the Year 1754, I found my Mind drawn to join in a Visit to Friends
Families belonging to _Chesterfield_ Monthly-meeting; and having the
Approbation of our own, I went to their Monthly-meeting in order to
confer with Friends, and see if Way opened for it: I had Conference with
some of their Members, the Proposal having been opened before in their
Meeting, and one Friend agreed to join with me as a Companion for a
Beginning; but, when Meeting was ended, I felt great Distress of Mind,
and doubted what Way to take, or whether to go Home and wait for greater
Clearness: I kept my Distress secret; and, going with a Friend to his
House, my Desires were to the great Shepherd for his heavenly
Instruction; and in the Morning I felt easy to proceed on the Visit,
being very low in my Mind: And as mine Eye was turned to the Lord,
waiting in Families in deep Reverence before him, he was pleased
graciously to afford Help; so that we had many comfortable
Opportunities, and it appeared as a fresh Visitation to some young
People. I spent several Weeks this Winter in the Service, Part of which
Time was employed near Home. And again, in the following Winter, I was
several Weeks in the same Service; some Part of the Time at
_Shrewsbury_, in Company with my beloved Friend, _John Sykes_; and have
Cause humbly to acknowledge, that, through the Goodness of the Lord, our
Hearts were, at Times, enlarged in his Love; and Strength was given to
go through the Trials which, in the Course of our Visit, attended us.
From a Disagreement between the Powers of _England_ and _France_, it was
now a Time of Trouble on this Continent; and an Epistle to Friends went
forth from our General Spring-meeting, which I thought good to give a
Place in this Journal.
An EPISTLE from our General Spring-meeting of Ministers and Elders
for _Pennsylvania_ and _New-Jersey_, held at _Philadelphia_, from
the 29th of the third Month, to the first of the fourth Month,
inclusive, 1755.
To Friends on the Continent of _America_.
Dear Friends,--In an humble Sense of divine Goodness, and the
gracious Continuation of God's Love to his People, we tenderly
salute you; and are at this Time therein engaged in Mind, that all
of us who profess the Truth, as held forth and published by our
worthy Predecessors in this latter Age of the World, may keep near
to that Life which is the Light of Men, and be strengthened to hold
fast the Profession of our Faith without wavering, that our Trust
may not be in Man but in the Lord alone, who ruleth in the Army of
Heaven, and in the Kingdoms of Men, before whom the Earth is _as
the Dust of the Balance, and her Inhabitants as Grasshoppers_. Isa.
xl. 22.
We (being convinced that the gracious Design of the Almighty in
sending his Son into the World, was to repair the Breach made by
Disobedience, to finish Sin and Transgression, that his Kingdom
might come, and his Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven) have
found it to be our Duty to cease from those national Contests
productive of Misery and Bloodshed, and submit our Cause to him,
the Most High, whose tender Love to his Children exceeds the most
warm Affections of natural Parents, and who hath promised to his
Seed throughout the Earth, as to one Individual, "I will never
leave thee, nor forsake thee." _Heb._ xiii. 5. And as we, through
the gracious Dealings of the Lord our God, have had Experience of
that Work which is carried on, "not by _earthly_ Might, nor by
Power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts:" _Zech._ iv. 6.
By which Operation, that spiritual Kingdom is set up, which is to
subdue and break in pieces all Kingdoms that oppose it, and shall
stand for ever; in a deep Sense thereof, and of the Safety,
Stability, and Peace, there is in it, we are desirous that all who
profess the Truth, may be inwardly acquainted with it, and thereby
be qualified to conduct ourselves in all Parts of our Life as
becomes our peaceable Profession: And we trust, as there is a
faithful Continuance to depend wholly upon the Almighty Arm, from
one Generation to another, the peaceable Kingdom will gradually be
extended "from Sea to Sea, and from the River to the Ends of the
Earth." _Zech._ ix. 10. to the Completion of those Prophecies
already begun, that "Nation shall not lift up a Sword against
Nation, nor learn War any more." _Isa._ ii. 4. _Micah_ iv. 3.
And, dearly beloved Friends, seeing we have these Promises, and
believe that God is beginning to fulfil them, let us constantly
endeavour to have our Minds sufficiently disintangled from the
surfeiting Cares of this Life, and redeemed from the Love of the
World, that no earthly Possessions nor Enjoyments may bias our
Judgments, or turn us from that Resignation, and entire Trust in
God, to which his Blessing is most surely annexed; then may we say,
"Our Redeemer is mighty, he will plead our Cause for us." _Jer._ 1.
34. And if, for the farther promoting his most gracious Purposes in
the Earth, he should give us to taste of that bitter Cup which his
faithful Ones have often partaken of; O! that we may be rightly
prepared to receive it.
And now, dear Friends, with Respect to the Commotions and Stirrings
of the Powers of the Earth at this Time near us, we are desirous
that none of us may be moved thereat; "but repose ourselves in the
Munition of that Rock that all these Shakings shall not move, even
in the Knowledge and Feeling of the eternal Power of God, keeping
us subjectly given up to his heavenly Will, and feel it daily to
mortify that which remains in any of us which is of this World; for
the worldly Part, in any, is the changeable Part, and that is up
and down, full and empty, joyful and sorrowful, as Things go well
or ill in this World; for as the Truth is but one, and many are
made Partakers of its Spirit, so the World is but one, and many are
made Partakers of the Spirit of it; and so many as do partake of
it, so many will be straitened and perplexed with it: But they who
are single to the Truth, waiting daily to feel the Life and Virtue
of it in their Hearts, these shall rejoice in the midst of
Adversity," and have to experience, with the Prophet, that
"Although the Fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall Fruit be in
the Vines; the Labour of the Olive shall fail, and the Fields shall
yield no Meat; the Flock shall be cut off from the Fold, and there
shall be no Herd in the Stalls; yet will _they_ rejoice in the
Lord, and joy in the God of _their_ Salvation." _Hab._ iii. 17, 18.
If, contrary to this, we profess the Truth, and, not living under
the Power and Influence of it, are producing Fruits disagreeable to
the Purity thereof, and trust to the Strength of Man to support
ourselves, therein our Confidence will be vain. For he, who removed
the Hedge from his Vineyard, and gave it to be trodden under Foot,
by reason of the wild Grapes it produced, (_Isa._ v. 5.) remains
unchangeable; And if, for the Chastisement of Wickedness, and the
farther promoting his own Glory, he doth arise, even to shake
terribly the Earth, who then may oppose him, and prosper!
We remain, in the Love of the Gospel, your Friends and Brethren.
Signed by fourteen Friends.
Scrupling to do Writings, relative to keeping Slaves, having been a
Means of sundry small Trials to me, in which I have so evidently felt my
own Will set aside, I think it good to mention a few of them.--Tradesmen
and Retailers of Goods, who depend on their Business for a Living, are
naturally inclined to keep the Good-will of their Customers; nor is it a
pleasant Thing for young Men to be under any Necessity to question the
Judgment or Honesty of elderly Men, and more especially of such as have
a fair Reputation. Deep-rooted Customs, though wrong, are not easily
altered; but it is the Duty of every one to be firm in that which they
certainly know is right for them. A charitable benevolent Man, well
acquainted with a Negro, may, I believe, under some Circumstances, keep
him in his Family as a Servant, from no other Motives than the Negro's
Good; but Man, as Man, knows not what shall be after him, nor hath
Assurance that his Children will attain to that Perfection in Wisdom and
Goodness necessary rightly to exercise such Power: It is clear to me,
that I ought not to be the Scribe where Wills are drawn, in which some
Children are made absolute Masters over others during Life.
About this Time, an ancient Man, of good Esteem in the Neighbourhood,
came to my House to get his Will written; he had young Negroes; and I
asked him privately, how he purposed to dispose of them? He told me: I
then said, I cannot write thy Will without breaking my own Peace; and
respectfully gave him my Reasons for it: He signified that he had a
Choice that I should have written it; but as I could not, consistent
with my Conscience, he did not desire it: And so he got it written by
some other Person. And, a few Years after, there being great Alterations
in his Family, he came again to get me to write his Will: His Negroes
were yet young; and his Son, to whom he intended to give them, was,
since he first spoke to me, from a Libertine, become a sober young Man;
and he supposed, that I would have been free, on that Account, to write
it. We had much friendly Talk on the Subject, and then deferred it: A
few Days after, he came again, and directed their Freedom; and then I
wrote his Will.
Near the Time the last-mentioned Friend first spoke to me, a Neighbour
received a bad Bruise in his Body, and sent for me to bleed him; which
being done, he desired me to write his Will: I took Notes; and, amongst
other Things, he told me to which of his Children he gave his young
Negro: I considered the Pain and Distress he was in, and knew not how it
would end; so I wrote his Will, save only that Part concerning his
Slave, and carrying it to his Bed side, read it to him; and then told
him, in a friendly Way, that I could not write any Instruments by which
my Fellow-creatures were made Slaves, without bringing Trouble on my own
Mind: I let him know that I charged nothing for what I had done; and
desired to be excused from doing the other Part in the Way he proposed:
We then had a serious Conference on the Subject; at length he agreeing
to set her free, I finished his Will.
Having found Drawings in my Mind to visit Friends on _Long-Island_,
after obtaining a Certificate from our Monthly-meeting, I set off on the
twelfth Day of the fifth Month, in the Year 1756. When I reached the
Island, I lodged the first Night at the House of my dear Friend, RICHARD
HALLET; the next Day, being the first of the Week, I was at the Meeting
in _New-town_; in which we experienced the renewed Manifestations of the
Love of Jesus Christ, to the Comfort of the honest-hearted. I went that
Night to _Flushing_; and the next Day, in Company with my beloved
Friend, MATTHEW FRANKLIN, we crossed the Ferry at _White-stone_; were at
three Meetings on the Main, and then returned to the Island; where I
spent the Remainder of the Week in visiting Meetings. The Lord, I
believe, hath a People in those Parts, who are honestly inclined to
serve him; but many, I fear, are too much clogged with the Things of
this Life, and do not come forward bearing the Cross in such
Faithfulness as he calls for.
My Mind was deeply engaged in this Visit, both in publick and private;
and, at several Places, observing that they had Slaves, I found myself
under a Necessity in a friendly Way, to labour with them on that
Subject; expressing, as Way opened, the Inconsistency of that Practice
with the Purity of the _Christian_ Religion, and the ill Effects of it
manifested amongst us.
The Latter-end of the Week, their Yearly-meeting began; at which were
our Friends JOHN SCARBOROUGH, JANE HOSKINS, and SUSANNA BROWN, from
_Pennsylvania_: The publick Meetings were large, and measurably favoured
with divine Goodness.
The Exercise of my Mind, at this Meeting, was chiefly on Account of
those who were considered as the foremost Rank in the Society; and, in a
Meeting of Ministers and Elders, Way opened, that I expressed in some
Measure what lay upon me; and, at a Time when Friends were met for
transacting the Affairs of the Church, having set a while silent, I felt
a Weight on my Mind, and stood up; and, through the gracious Regard of
our heavenly Father, Strength was given fully to clear myself of a
Burthen, which, for some Days, had been increasing upon me.
Through the humbling Dispensations of divine Providence, Men are
sometimes fitted for his Service. The Messages of the Prophet Jeremiah,
were so disagreeable to the People, and so reverse to the Spirit they
lived in, that he became the Object of their Reproach; and, in the
Weakness of Nature, thought of desisting from his prophetic Office; but,
saith he, "His Word was in my Heart as a burning Fire shut up in my
Bones; and I was weary with forbearing, and could not stay." I saw at
this Time, that if I was honest in declaring that which Truth opened in
me, I could not please all Men; and laboured to be content in the Way
of my Duty, however disagreeable to my own Inclination. After this I
went homeward, taking _Woodbridge_, and _Plainfield_ in my Way; in both
which Meetings, the pure Influence of divine Love was manifested; in an
humbling Sense whereof I went Home, having been out about twenty-four
Days, and rode about three hundred and sixteen Miles.
While I was out on this Journey, my Heart was much affected with a Sense
of the State of the Churches in our southern Provinces; and, believing
the Lord was calling me to some farther Labour amongst them, I was bowed
in Reverence before him, with fervent Desires that I might find Strength
to resign myself up to his heavenly Will.
Until this Year, 1756, I continued to retail Goods, besides following my
Trade as a Taylor; about which Time, I grew uneasy on Account of my
Business growing too cumbersome: I had begun with selling Trimmings for
Garments, and from thence proceeded to sell Cloths and Linens; and, at
length, having got a considerable Shop of Goods, my Trade increased
every Year, and the Road to large Business appeared open; but I felt a
Stop in my Mind.
Through the Mercies of the Almighty, I had, in a good degree, learned to
be content with a plain Way of Living: I had but a small Family; and, on
serious Consideration, I believed Truth did not require me to engage in
much cumbering Affairs: It had been my general Practice to buy and sell
Things really useful: Things that served chiefly to please the vain Mind
in People, I was not easy to trade in; seldom did it; and, whenever I
did, I found it weaken me as a _Christian_.
The Increase of Business became my Burthen; for, though my natural
Inclination was toward Merchandize, yet I believed Truth required me to
live more free from outward Cumbers: and there was now a Strife in my
Mind between the two; and in this Exercise my Prayers were put up to the
Lord, who graciously heard me, and gave me a Heart resigned to his holy
Will: Then I lessened my outward Business; and, as I had Opportunity,
told my Customers of my Intention, that they might consider what Shop to
turn to: And, in a while, wholly laid down Merchandize, following my
Trade, as a Taylor, myself only, having no Apprentice. I also had a
Nursery of Appletrees; in which I employed some of my Time in hoeing,
grafting, trimming, and inoculating. In Merchandize it is the Custom,
where I lived, to sell chiefly on Credit, and poor People often get in
Debt; and when Payment is expected, not having wherewith to pay, their
Creditors often sue for it at Law. Having often observed Occurrences of
this Kind, I found it good for me to advise poor People to take such
Goods as were most useful and not costly.
In the Time of Trading, I had an Opportunity of seeing, that the too
liberal Use of spirituous Liquors, and the Custom of wearing too costly
Apparel, led some People into great Inconveniences; and these two Things
appear to be often connected; for, by not attending to that Use of
Things which is consistent with universal Righteousness, there is an
Increase of Labour which extends beyond what our heavenly Father intends
for us: And by great Labour, and often by much Sweating, there is, even
among such as are not Drunkards, a craving of some Liquors to revive the
Spirits; that, partly by the luxurious Drinking of some, and partly by
the Drinking of others (led to it through immoderate Labour), very great
Quantities of Rum are every Year expended in our Colonies; the greater
Part of which we should have no Need of, did we steadily attend to pure
Wisdom.
Where Men take Pleasure in feeling their Minds elevated with
Strong-drink, and so indulge their Appetite as to disorder their
Understandings, neglect their Duty as Members in a Family or Civil
Society, and cast off all Regard to Religion, their Case is much to be
pitied; and where such, whose Lives are for the most Part regular, and
whose Examples have a strong Influence on the Minds of others, adhere to
some Customs which powerfully draw to the Use of more Strong-liquor than
pure Wisdom allows; this also, as it hinders the spreading of the
Spirit of Meekness, and strengthens the Hands of the more excessive
Drinkers, is a Case to be lamented.
As every Degree of Luxury hath some Connection with Evil, those who
profess to be Disciples of Christ, and are looked upon as Leaders of the
People, should have that Mind in them which was also in Christ, and so
stand separate from every wrong Way, as a Means of Help to the Weaker.
As I have sometimes been much spent in the Heat, and taken Spirits to
revive me, I have found, by Experience, that in such Circumstances the
Mind is not so calm, nor so fitly disposed for divine Meditation, as
when all such Extremes are avoided; and I have felt an increasing Care
to attend to that holy Spirit which sets Bounds to our Desires, and
leads those, who faithfully follow it, to apply all the Gifts of divine
Providence to the Purposes for which they were intended. Did such, as
have the Care of great Estates, attend with Singleness of Heart to this
heavenly Instructor, which so opens and enlarges the Mind, that Men love
their Neighbours as themselves, they would have Wisdom given them to
manage, without finding Occasion to employ some People in the Luxuries
of Life, or to make it necessary for others to labour too hard; but, for
want of steadily regarding this Principle of divine Love, a selfish
Spirit takes Place in the Minds of People, which is attended with
Darkness and manifold Confusion in the World.
Though trading in Things useful is an honest Employ; yet, through the
great Number of Superfluities which are bought and sold, and through the
Corruption of the Times, they, who apply to merchandize for a Living,
have great Need to be well experienced in that Precept which the Prophet
JEREMIAH laid down for his Scribe: "Seekest thou great Things for
thyself? seek them not."
In the Winter, this Year, I was engaged with Friends in visiting
Families; and, through the Goodness of the Lord, we had oftentimes
Experience of his Heart-tendering Presence amongst us.
A Copy of a Letter written to a Friend.
In this thy late Affliction I have found a deep Fellow-feeling with
thee; and had a secret Hope throughout, that it might please the Father
of Mercies to raise thee up, and sanctify thy Troubles to thee; that
thou, being more fully acquainted with that Way which the World esteems
foolish, mayst feel the Clothing of divine Fortitude, and be
strengthened to resist that Spirit which leads from the Simplicity of
the everlasting Truth.
We may see ourselves crippled and halting, and, from a strong Bias to
Things pleasant and easy, find an Impossibility to advance forward; but
Things impossible with Men are possible with God; and, our Wills being
made subject to his, all Temptations are surmountable.
This Work of subjecting the Will is compared to the Mineral in the
Furnace; "He refines them as Silver is refined.--He shall sit as a
Refiner and Purifier of Silver." By these Comparisons we are instructed
in the Necessity of the Operation of the Hand of God upon us, to prepare
our Hearts truly to adore him, and manifest that Adoration, by inwardly
turning away from that Spirit, in all its Workings, which is not of him.
To forward this Work, the all-wise God is sometimes pleased, through
outward Distress, to bring us near the Gates of Death; that, Life being
painful and afflicting, and the Prospect of Eternity open before us, all
earthly Bonds may be loosened, and the Mind prepared for that deep and
sacred Instruction, which otherwise would not be received. If Parents
love their Children and delight in their Happiness, then he, who is
perfect Goodness, in sending abroad mortal Contagions, doth assuredly
direct their Use: Are the Righteous removed by it? Their Change is
happy: Are the Wicked taken away in their Wickedness? The Almighty is
clear: Do we pass through with Anguish and great Bitterness, and yet
recover, he intends that we should be purged from Dross, and our Ears
opened to Discipline.
And now that, on thy Part, after thy sore Affliction and Doubts of
Recovery, thou art again restored, forget not him who hath helped thee;
but in humble Gratitude hold fast his Instructions, thereby to shun
those By-paths which lead from the firm Foundation. I am sensible of
that Variety of Company, to which one in thy Business must be exposed: I
have painfully felt the Force of Conversation proceeding from Men deeply
rooted in an earthly Mind, and can sympathize with others in such
Conflicts, in that much Weakness still attends me.
I find that to be a Fool as to worldly Wisdom, and commit my Cause to
God, not fearing to offend Men, who take Offence at the Simplicity of
Truth, is the only Way to remain unmoved at the Sentiments of others.
The Fear of Man brings a Snare; by halting in our Duty, and giving back
in the Time of Trial, our Hands grow weaker, our Spirits get mingled
with the People, our Ears grow dull as to hearing the Language of the
true Shepherd; that when we look at the Way of the Righteous, it seems
as though it was not for us to follow them.
There is a Love clothes my Mind, while I write, which is superior to all
Expressions; and I find my Heart open to encourage a holy Emulation, to
advance forward in _Christian_ Firmness. Deep Humility is a strong
Bulwark; and, as we enter into it, we find Safety: The Foolishness of
God is wiser than Man, and the Weakness of God is stronger than Man.
Being unclothed of our own Wisdom, and knowing the Abasement of the
Creature, therein we find that Power to arise, which gives Health and
Vigour to us.