John Woolman's Journal Part 10

_Esau_ is mentioned as a Child red all over, like a hairy Garment: In _Esau_ is represented the natural Will of Man. In preparing the Water of Separation, a red Heifer, without Blemish, on which there had been no Yoke, was to be slain, and her Blood sprinkled by the Priest seven Times toward the Tabernacle of the Congregation; then her Skin, her Flesh, and all pertaining to her, were to be burnt without the Camp; and of her Ashes the Water was prepared. Thus the crucifying the old Man, or natural Will, is represented; and hence comes a Separation from that carnal Mind, which is Death.

"He who toucheth the dead Body of a Man, and purifieth not himself with the Water of Separation, he defileth the Tabernacle of the Lord; he is unclean." _Numb._ xix. 13.

If any, through the Love of Gain, go forth into Business, wherein they dwell as amongst the Tombs, and touch the Bodies of those who are dead; if these, through the infinite Love of G.o.d feel the Power of the Cross of Christ to crucify them to the World, and therein learn humbly to follow the divine Leader;--here is the Judgment of this World;--here the Prince of this World is cast out.

The Water of Separation is felt; and, though we have been amongst the Slain, and, through the Desire of Gain, have touched the dead Body of a Man, yet, in the purifying Love of Christ, we are washed in the Water of Separation; are brought off from that Business, from that Gain, and from that Fellowship, which was not agreeable to his holy Will: And I have felt a renewed Confirmation, in the Time of this Voyage, that the Lord, in his infinite Love, is calling to his visited Children, so to give up all outward Possessions and Means of getting Treasures, that his holy Spirit may have free Course in their Hearts, and direct them in all their Proceedings.

To feel the Substance pointed at in this Figure, Man must know Death, as to his own Will.

"No Man can see G.o.d, and live." This was spoken by the Almighty to _Moses_ the Prophet, and opened by our blessed Redeemer.

As Death comes on our own Wills, and a new Life is formed in us, the Heart is purified and prepared to understand clearly. "Blessed are the Pure in Heart; for they shall see G.o.d." In Purity of Heart the Mind is divinely opened to behold the Nature of universal Righteousness, or the Righteousness of the Kingdom of G.o.d. "No Man hath seen the Father, save he that is of G.o.d; he hath seen the Father."

The natural Mind is active about the Things of this Life; and, in this natural Activity, Business is proposed, and a Will in us to go forward in it. As long as this natural Will remains unsubjected, so long there remains an Obstruction against the Clearness of divine Light operating in us; but when we love G.o.d with all our Heart, and with all our Strength, then in this Love, we love our Neighbours as ourselves; and a Tenderness of Heart is felt toward all People for whom Christ died, even such who, as to outward Circ.u.mstances, may be to us as the _Jews_ were to the _Samaritans_. Who is my Neighbour? See this Question answered by our Saviour, _Luke_ x. 30.

In this Love we can say, that Jesus is the Lord; and the Reformation in our Souls is manifested in a full Reformation of our Lives, wherein all Things are new, and all Things are of G.o.d; _2 Cor._ v. 18. in this the Desire of Gain is subjected.

When Employment is honestly followed in the Light of Truth, and People become diligent in Business, "fervent in Spirit, serving the Lord;"

_Rom._ xii. 11. here the Name is opened: "This is the Name by which he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." _Jerem._ xxiii. 6. O! how precious is this Name! it is like Ointment poured out. The chaste Virgins are in Love with the Redeemer; and, for the promoting his peaceable Kingdom in the World, are content to endure Hardness, like good Soldiers; and are so separated in Spirit from the Desire of Riches, that in their Employments they become extensively careful to give none Offence, neither to _Jews_ nor _Heathen_, nor the Church of Christ.

On the thirty-first Day of the Month, and first of the Week, we had a Meeting in the Cabbin, with near all the Ship's Company; the Whole being near thirty. In this Meeting, the Lord, in Mercy, favoured us with the Extendings of his Love.

The second Day of the sixth Month. Last Evening the Seamen found Bottom at about seventy Fathoms.

This Morning, fair Wind, and pleasant. As I sat on Deck, my Heart was overcome with the Love of Christ, and melted into Contrition before him; and, in this State, the Prospect of that Work, to which I have felt my Mind drawn when in my native Land, being in some Degree opened before me, I felt like a little Child: and my Cries were put up to my heavenly Father for Preservation, that, in a humble Dependence on him, my Soul might be strengthened in his Love, and kept inwardly waiting for his Counsel.

This Afternoon we saw that Part of _England_ called the _Lizard_.

Some Dunghill-fowls yet remained of those the Pa.s.sengers took for their Sea-store; I believe about fourteen perished in the Storms at Sea, by the Waves breaking over the Quarter-deck; and a considerable Number with Sickness, at different Times. I observed the c.o.c.ks crew, coming down the _Delaware_, and while we were near the Land; but afterward I think I did not hear one of them crow till we came near the Land in _England_, when they again crowed a few Times.

In observing their dull Appearance at Sea, and the pining Sickness of some of them, I often remembered the Fountain of Goodness, who gave Being to all Creatures, and whose Love extends to that of caring for the Sparrows; and believe, where the Love of G.o.d is verily perfected, and the true Spirit of Government watchfully attended to, a Tenderness toward all Creatures made subject to us will be experienced, and a Care felt in us, that we do not lessen that Sweetness of Life, in the animal Creation, which the great Creator intends for them in our Government.

The fourth Day of the Month. About Noon a Pilot came off from _Dover_; where my beloved Friend, SAMUEL EMLEN, went on Sh.o.r.e, and thence to _London_; but I felt easy in staying in the Ship.

The seventh Day of the Month, and first of the Week. Clear Morning; we lay at Anchor for the Tide, and had a Parting-meeting with the Ship's Company; in which my Heart was enlarged in a fervent Concern for them, that they may come to experience Salvation through Christ. We had a Head-Wind up the _Thames_; lay sometimes at Anchor; saw many Ships pa.s.sing, and some at Anchor near; and had large Opportunity of feeling the Spirit in which the poor bewildered Sailors too generally live.--That lamentable Degeneracy, which so much prevails on the People employed on the Seas, so affected my Heart, that I cannot easily convey the Feeling I have had to another.

CHAPTER XI

_His attending the Yearly-meeting in_ London; _and, after it, proceeding towards_ Yorkshire, _visiting several Quarterly and other Meetings in the Counties of_ Hertford, Warwick, Oxford, Nottingham, York, _and_ Westmoreland; _and thence again into_ Yorkshire, _and to the City of_ York; _with some instructive Thoughts and Observations, and Letters on divers Subjects_--_His hearing of the Decease of_ WILLIAM HUNT; _and some Account of him_--_His Sickness at_ York; _and End of his Pilgrimage there_

On the eighth Day of the sixth Month, 1772, we landed at _London_; and I went straightway to the Yearly-meeting of Ministers and Elders, which had been gathered (I suppose) about half an Hour.

In this Meeting my Mind was humbly contrite: In the Afternoon the Meeting of Business opened; which, by Adjournments, held near a Week. In these Meetings I often felt a living Concern for the Establishment of Friends in the pure Life of Truth; and my Heart was enlarged in the Meeting of Ministers, Meeting of Business, and in several Meetings of publick Worship; and I felt my Mind united in true Love to the faithful Labourers now gathered at this Yearly-meeting.

On the fifteenth Day of the Month, I left _London_, and went to a Quarterly-meeting at _Hertford_.

The first Day of the seventh Month. I have been at Quarterly-meetings at _Sherrington_, _Northampton_, _Banbury_, and _Shipston_; and had sundry Meetings between: My Mind hath been bowed under a Sense of divine Goodness manifested amongst us; my Heart hath been often enlarged in true Love, both amongst Ministers and Elders, and in publick Meetings; that through the Lord's Goodness, I believe it hath been a fresh Visitation to many, in particular to the Youth.

The seventeenth Day of the Month. Was this Day at _Birmingham_: Have been at Meetings at _Coventry_, _Warwick_, in _Oxfordshire_, and sundry other Places; have felt the humbling Hand of the Lord upon me; and through his tender Mercies find Peace in the Labours I have gone through.

The twenty-sixth Day of the Month. I have continued travelling northward, visiting Meetings: Was this Day at _Nottingham_; which, in the Forenoon especially, was, through divine Love, a Heart-tendering Season: Next Day had a Meeting in a Friend's House with Friends Children and some Friends; this, through the strengthening Arm of the Lord, was a Time to be thankfully remembered.

The second Day of the eighth Month, and first of the Week. Was this Day at _Sheffield_, a large inland Town: Have been at sundry Meetings last Week; and feel inward Thankfulness for that divine Support, which hath been graciously extended to me.

The ninth Day of the Month, and first of the Week, was at _Rushworth_: Have lately pa.s.sed through some painful Labour; but have been comforted, under a Sense of that divine Visitation, which I feel extended toward many young People.

The sixteenth Day of the Month, and first of the Week, I was at _Settle_: It hath of late been a Time of inward Poverty; under which my Mind hath been preserved in a watchful tender State, feeling for the Mind of the holy Leader, and I find Peace in the Labours I have pa.s.sed through.

I have felt great Distress of Mind, since I came on this Island, on Account of the Members of our Society being mixed with the World in various Sorts of Business and Traffick, carried on in impure Channels.

Great is the Trade to _Africa_ for Slaves! and, in loading these Ships, abundance of People are employed in the Factories; amongst whom are many of our Society. Friends, in early Times, refused, on a religious Principle, to make, or trade in, Superfluities; of which we have many large Testimonies on Record; but, for Want of Faithfulness, some gave way; even some, whose Examples were of Note in our Society; and from thence others took more Liberty. Members of our Society worked in Superfluities, and bought and sold them; and thus Dimness of Sight came over many: At length, Friends got into the Use of some Superfluities in Dress, and in the Furniture of their Houses; and this hath spread from less to more, till Superfluity of some Kinds is common amongst us.

In this declining State, many look at the Example one of another, and too much neglect the pure Feeling of Truth. Of late Years, a deep Exercise hath attended my Mind, that Friends may dig deep, may carefully cast forth the loose Matter, and get down to the Rock, the sure Foundation, and there hearken to that divine Voice which gives a clear and certain Sound; and I have felt in that which doth not deceive, that if Friends, who have known the Truth, keep in that Tenderness of Heart, where all Views of outward Gain are given up, and their Trust is only on the Lord, he will graciously lead some to be Patterns of deep Self-denial in Things relating to Trade and Handicraft-labour; and that some, who have plenty of the Treasures of this World, will example in a plain frugal Life, and pay Wages, to such as they may hire, more liberally than is now customary in some Places.

The twenty-third Day of the Month. Was this Day at _Preston-Patrick_, and had a comfortable Meeting. I have, several Times, been entertained at the Houses of Friends, who had sundry Things about them which had the Appearance of outward Greatness; and, as I have kept inward, Way hath opened for Conversation with such in private, in which Divine Goodness hath favoured us together with heart-tendering Times.

I rested a few Days, in Body and Mind, with our Friend JANE CROSFIELD; who was once in _America_: Was, on the sixth Day of the Week, at _Kendal_ in _Westmoreland_; and at _Greyrig_ Meeting the thirtieth Day of the Month, and first of the Week.

I have known Poverty of late, and been graciously supported to keep in the Patience; and am thankful, under a Sense of the Goodness of the Lord toward those that are of a contrite Spirit.

The sixth Day of the ninth Month, and first of the Week. Was this Day at _Counterside_, a large Meeting-house, and very full; and, through the Opening of pure Love, it was a strengthening Time to me, and (I believe) to many more.

The thirteenth Day of the Month. Was this Day at _Richmond_, a small Meeting; but, the Town's People coming in, the House was crowded: It was a Time of heavy Labour; and (I believe) was a profitable Meeting.

At this Place I heard that my Kinsman WILLIAM HUNT, from _North-Carolina_, who was on a religious Visit to Friends in _England_, departed this Life on the ninth Day of the ninth Month, Instant, of the Small-pox, at _Newcastle_.--He appeared in the Ministry when a Youth; and his Labours therein were of good Savour. He travelled much in that Work in _America_. I once heard him say, in publick Testimony, that his Concern was (in that Visit) to be devoted to the Service of Christ so fully, that he might not spend one Minute in pleasing himself: Which Words, joined with his Example, were a Means of stirring up the pure Mind in me.

On this Visit to _England_ I have felt some Instructions sealed on my Mind, which I am concerned to leave in Writing, for the Use of such as are called to the Station of a Minister of Christ.

Christ being the Prince of Peace, and we being no more than Ministers, I find it necessary for us, not only to feel a Concern in our first going forth, but to experience the renewing thereof, in the Appointment of Meetings.

I felt a Concern, in _America_, to prepare for this Voyage; and, being, through the Mercy of G.o.d, brought safe here, my Heart was like a Vessel that wanted Vent; and for several Weeks, at first, when my Mouth was opened in Meetings, it often felt like the raising of a Gate in a Water-course, where a Weight of Water lay upon it; and in these Labours there appeared a fresh Visitation to many, especially the Youth; but sometimes, after this, I felt empty and poor, and yet felt a Necessity to appoint Meetings.

In this State I was exercised to abide in the pure Life of Truth, and in all my Labours to watch diligently against the Motions of Self in my own Mind.

I have frequently felt a Necessity to stand up, when the Spring of the Ministry was low; and to speak from the Necessity, in that which subjecteth the Will of the Creature; and herein I was united with the suffering Seed, and found inward Sweetness with these mortifying Labours.

As I have been preserved in a watchful Attention to the divine Leader, under these Dispensations, Enlargement at Times hath followed, and the Power of Truth hath risen higher, in some Meetings, than I ever knew it before through me.

Thus I have been more and more instructed, as to the Necessity of depending, not upon a Concern which I felt in _America_, to come on a Visit to _England_, but upon the fresh Instructions of Christ, the Prince of Peace, from Day to Day.

Now, of late, I felt a Stop in the Appointment of Meetings, not wholly, but in Part; and I do not feel Liberty to appoint them so quick one after another as I have heretofore.

The Work of the Ministry being a Work of divine Love, I feel that the Openings thereof are to be waited for, in all our Appointments.

O! how deep is divine Wisdom! Christ puts forth his Ministers, and goeth before them: And O! how great is the Danger of departing from the pure Feeling of that which leadeth safely!

Christ knoweth the State of the People; and, in the pure Feeling of the Gospel-Ministry, their States are opened to his Servants.