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John Woolman's Journal

Highlights:

► The tone of Woolman's writing is notably quiet and subdued, reflective and thoughtful. It seems to go along with his philosophy, which features an "inner light" or what he calls here "inward life." The meetings of the Quakers were noted for their silence, "without much conversation," as Woolman says. Note, that talking seems to be a kind of "wantonness" with him. He talked back to his parents once and was ashamed; when he was sixteen, he came under the influence of people of "profane language"; one time he embarrassed himself at meeting when he "said more than was required of me," and he said it was six weeks before he felt forgiven by God. As he explains it, the problem was that he hadn't waited for the "pure Spirit which inwardly moved upon the heart and taught [me] to wait in silence sometimes many weeks together, until I felt that rise which prepares the creature to stand like a trumpet through which the Lord speaks to his flock."  Talking too much or wrongly was a "vanity" to him; it showed egotism, self importance. Instead, he should be an instrument (trumpet) to be used by God who would do the talking very loudly (trumpet-like).

► Conversely, silence contributed to humility, and that was a strong virtue. Note how many times "humility" is used favorably and how often "vanity" is used unfavorably.

► Woolman was very conscious of social matters. Note that he writes at length about slavery and war. He is deeply opposed to both and is strongly influenced by his conscience in these matters.

► Even in business, he wanted to do only that which would not interfere with his private religiousness, so he stopped retailing, which he had been doing quite satisfactorily. He became a tailor working alone and living frugally and he kept a nursery of apple trees. He wanted to simplify his life; retailing was " too cumbersome," which meant that it took too much of his time and attention.

► Along these same lines of "social awareness," note that Woolman engaged in what he calls "passive obedience to authority" when, after much soul-searching, he agreed to house a soldier at his house but refused to take money for it. In this way, he felt he took a stand and refused to aid the war while still being civil to his fellow human being, the soldier.

Questions:

1. With respect to the importance of conscience, and in his toleration of other's religions, Woolman is like what other religious writer we've studied?

2. Along this same line, as regards the relationship between church and state what do you think Woolman's attitude was?

3. Who else has said essentially the same thing about being an instrument of God?

4. What does Woolman's boyhood memory about the mother robin reveal about him?

5. Woolman records a "change wrought in me."  What is it?

6. What do you think Woolman's view is toward original sin?

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