Testimony of the Friends' Monthly Meeting

JOHN WOOLMAN, DECEASED

JOHN WOOLMAN, DECEASED

He was born in Northampton, in the County of Burlington, and Province of West-New-Jersey, in the eighth Month, 1720, of religious Parents, who instructed him very early in the Principles of the Christian Religion, as professed by the People called Quakers, which he esteemed a Blessing to him, even in his young Years, tending to preserve him from the Infection of wicked Children; but, through the Workings of the Enemy, and Levity incident to Youth, he frequently deviated from those parental Precepts, by which he laid a renewed Foundation for Repentance, that was finally succeeded by a godly Sorrow not to be repented of, and so became acquainted with that sanctifying Power which qualifies for true Gospel Ministry, into which he was called about the twenty-second year of his Age; and, by a faithful Use of the Talents committed to him, he experienced an Increase, until he arrived at the State of a Father, capable of dividing the Word aright to the different States he ministered unto; dispensing Milk to Babes, and Meat to those of riper Years. Thus he found the Efficacy of that Power to arise, which, in his own Expressions, "prepares the Creature to stand like a Trumpet through which the Lord speaks to his People."—He was a loving Husband, a tender Father, and very humane to every Part of the Creation under his Care.

He was born in Northampton, in Burlington County, in the Province of West-New-Jersey, in the eighth month of 1720. His religious parents taught him the principles of the Christian religion from an early age. These were the principles professed by the people called Quakers. Even in his youth, he valued this teaching as a blessing because it helped protect him from the corrupting influence of wicked children. But through the workings of the Enemy and the carelessness of youth, he often strayed from his parents’ teachings. Each time, he gave himself fresh reason to repent. At last, his repentance was followed by a godly sorrow he would never regret. He thus came to know the sanctifying power that prepares a person for true Gospel ministry. He was called to that ministry at about twenty-two years of age. By faithfully using the talents entrusted to him, he grew until he became a spiritual father. He could then share the Word rightly with people at different stages of spiritual growth. He gave milk to infants and solid food to those more mature. In this way, he experienced the rising strength of that power which, in his own words, “prepares the Creature to stand like a Trumpet through which the Lord speaks to his People.” He was a loving husband, a tender father, and very kind to every part of creation under his care.

His Concern for the Poor and those in Affliction was evident by his Visits to them; whom he frequently relieved by his Assistance and Charity. He was for many Years deeply exercised on Account of the poor enslaved Africans, whose Cause, as he sometimes mentioned, lay almost continually upon him, and to obtain Liberty to those Captives, he laboured both in public and private; and was favoured to see his Endeavours crowned with considerable Success. He was particularly desirous that Friends should not be instrumental to lay Burthens on this oppressed People, but remember the Days of suffering from which they had been providentially delivered; that, if Times of Trouble should return, no Injustice dealt to those in Slavery might rise in Judgment against us, but, being clear, we might on such Occasions address the Almighty with a degree of Confidence, for his Interposition and Relief; being particularly careful, as to himself, not to countenance Slavery even by the Use of those Conveniences of Life which were furnished by their Labour.

His concern for the poor and those in distress was evident in his visits to them. He often helped them and gave them charity. For many years, he was deeply troubled by the plight of the poor enslaved Africans. As he sometimes said, their cause was almost always on his mind. He worked both publicly and privately to win freedom for these captives, and was blessed to see considerable success. He especially wanted Friends to avoid adding to the burdens of this oppressed people. He wanted them to remember the days of suffering from which God had delivered them. If troubled times returned, no injustice done to those in slavery would then rise in judgment against us. Instead, with clear consciences, we could ask the Almighty with some confidence to intervene and help us. He himself was especially careful not to support slavery, even by using comforts produced by their labor.

He was desirous to have his own, and the Minds of others, redeemed from the Pleasures and immoderate Profits of this World, and to fix them on those Joys which fade not away; his principal Care being after a Life of Purity, endeavouring to avoid not only the grosser Pollutions, but those also which, appearing in a more refined Dress, are not sufficiently guarded against by some well-disposed People. In the latter Part of his Life he was remarkable for the Plainness and Simplicity of his Dress, and, as much as possible, avoided the Use of Plate, costly Furniture, and feasting; thereby endeavouring to become an Example of Temperance and Self-denial, which he believed himself called unto, and was favoured with Peace therein, although it carried the Appearance of great Austerity in the View of some. He was very moderate in his Charges in the Way of Business, and in his Desires after Gain; and, though a Man of Industry, avoided, and strove much to lead others out of extreme Labour and Anxiousness after perishable Things; being desirous that the Strength of our Bodies might not be spent in procuring Things unprofitable, and that we might use Moderation and Kindness to the brute Animals under our Care, to prize the Use of them as a great Favour, and by no Means abuse them; that the Gifts of Providence should be thankfully received and applied to the Uses they were designed for.

He wanted his own mind and the minds of others to be freed from worldly pleasures and excessive profit. He wanted them to focus instead on joys that never fade. His chief concern was to live a pure life. He tried to avoid not only obvious forms of corruption, but also those that appeared in more refined forms. Some well-meaning people did not guard against these refined forms enough. In the later part of his life, he was known for dressing plainly and simply. As much as possible, he avoided using silver plate and costly furniture, and he avoided feasting. In this way, he tried to be an example of moderation and self-denial. He believed he was called to live this way and was blessed with peace in doing so, though some saw it as very austere. He charged modest prices in his business and had modest desires for gain. Though he was hardworking, he avoided excessive labor and anxiety over things that do not last. He also worked hard to lead others away from them. He did not want people to spend their strength obtaining things of no real use. He also wanted people to treat the animals in their care with moderation and kindness. He wanted them to value the use of animals as a great favor and never abuse them. He wanted the gifts of Providence to be received with gratitude and used for their intended purposes.

He several Times opened a School at Mount-Holly, for the Instruction of poor Friends Children and others, being concerned for their Help and Improvement therein: His Love and Care for the rising Youth among us were truly great, recommending to Parents and those who have the Charge of them, to chuse conscientious and pious Tutors, saying, "It is a lovely Sight to behold innocent Children," and that "to labour for their Help against that which would mar the Beauty of their Minds, is a Debt we owe them."

Several times, he opened a school in Mount-Holly for poor Friends' children and others. He wanted to help them learn and improve. His love and care for the young people among us were truly great. He urged parents and those responsible for children to choose conscientious and devout teachers. He said, "It is a lovely sight to see innocent children." He also said that "working to help them resist whatever would spoil the beauty of their minds is a debt we owe them."

His Ministry was sound, very deep and penetrating, sometimes pointing out the dangerous Situation which Indulgence and Custom lead into; frequently exhorting others, especially the Youth, not to be discouraged at the Difficulties which occur, but press after Purity. He often expressed an earnest Engagement that pure Wisdom should be attended to, which would lead into Lowliness of Mind and Resignation to the divine Will, in which State small Possessions here would be sufficient.

His ministry was sound, deeply thoughtful, and penetrating. He sometimes pointed out the dangerous situations that indulgence and habit can lead people into. He often urged others, especially young people, not to be discouraged by difficulties, but to pursue purity. He often expressed a deep concern that people should pay attention to pure wisdom. This wisdom would lead them to humility and acceptance of the divine will. In that state, a few possessions in this world would be enough.

In transacting the Affairs of Discipline, his Judgment was sound and clear, and he was very useful in treating with those who had done amiss; he visited such in a private Way in that Plainness which Truth dictates, shewing great Tenderness and Christian Forbearance. He was a constant Attender of our Yearly-meeting, in which he was a good Example, and particularly useful; assisting in the Business thereof with great Weight and Attention. He several Times visited most of the Meetings of Friends in this and the neighbouring Provinces, with the Concurrence of the Monthly-meeting to which he belonged, and, we have Reason to believe, had good Service therein, generally or always expressing, at his Return, how it had fared with him, and the Evidence of Peace in his Mind for thus performing his Duty. He was often concerned with other Friends in the important Service of visiting Families, which he was enabled to go through to Satisfaction.

In matters of discipline, his judgment was sound and clear. He was very helpful in dealing with those who had done wrong. He visited them privately and spoke plainly, as truth requires, showing great tenderness and Christian patience. He regularly attended our Yearly Meeting, where he set a good example and was especially helpful. He assisted with its business with great seriousness and attention. Several times, he visited most of the Meetings of Friends in this province and neighboring provinces. He did so with the approval of the Monthly Meeting to which he belonged. We have reason to believe he did good work during these visits. On his return, he generally or always spoke of how he had fared. He also spoke of the peace of mind that showed him he had fulfilled his duty. He often joined other Friends in the important work of visiting families, which he was able to complete satisfactorily.

In the Minutes of the Meeting of Ministers and Elders for this Quarter, at the Foot of a List of the Members of that Meeting, made about five Years before his Death, we find in his Hand-writing the following Observations and Reflections. "As looking over the Minutes, made by Persons who have put off this Body, hath sometimes revived in me a Thought how Ages pass away; so this List may probably revive a like Thought in some, when I and the rest of the Persons above-named are centered in another State of Being.—The Lord, who was the Guide of my Youth, hath in tender Mercies helped me hitherto; he hath healed me of Wounds, he hath helped me out of grievous Entanglements; he remains to be the Strength of my Life; to whom I desire to devote myself in Time and in Eternity."—Signed, John Woolman.

In the minutes of this Quarter’s Meeting of Ministers and Elders, there is a list of its members made about five years before John Woolman’s death. At the bottom of the list, we find these observations and reflections in his handwriting. "When I have read minutes written by people who have left this body, I have sometimes thought about how ages pass away. Likewise, this list may bring a similar thought to some when I and the others named above are in another state of being. The Lord, who guided me in my youth, has tenderly and mercifully helped me until now. He has healed my wounds and helped me out of grievous entanglements. He remains the strength of my life. I desire to devote myself to him in time and in eternity." Signed, John Woolman.

In the twelfth Month, 1771, he acquainted this Meeting that he found his Mind drawn towards a religious Visit to Friends in some Parts of England, particularly in Yorkshire. In the first Month, 1772, he obtained our Certificate, which was approved and endorsed by our Quarterly-meeting, and by the Half-year's-meeting of Ministers and Elders at Philadelphia. He embarked on his Voyage in the fifth, and arrived in London in the sixth, Month following, at the Time of their annual Meeting in that City. During his short Visit to Friends in that Kingdom, we are informed that his Services were acceptable and edifying. In his last Illness he uttered many lively and comfortable Expressions, being "perfectly resigned, having no Will either to live or die," as appears by the Testimony of Friends at York in Great-Britain, in the Suburbs whereof, at the House of our Friend, Thomas Priestman, he died of the Small-pox, on the seventh Day of the tenth Month, 1772, and was buried in Friends Burying-ground in that City, on the ninth of the same, after a large and solid Meeting held on the Occasion at their great Meeting-house, aged near fifty-two Years; a Minister upwards of thirty Years, during which Time he belonged to Mount-Holly Particular-meeting, which he diligently attended when at Home and in Health of Body, and his Labours of Love, and pious Care for the Prosperity of Friends in the blessed Truth, we hope may not be forgotten, but that his good Works may be remembered to Edification.

In December 1771, he told this Meeting that he felt drawn to make a religious visit to Friends in parts of England, especially Yorkshire. In January 1772, he obtained our certificate. It was approved and endorsed by our Quarterly Meeting and by the Half-Year’s Meeting of Ministers and Elders at Philadelphia. He sailed in May and arrived in London in June, during their annual Meeting there. We are told that his services during his short visit to Friends in that kingdom were welcome and uplifting. During his last illness, he spoke many vivid and comforting words. He was "perfectly resigned, having no Will either to live or die," according to the testimony of Friends at York in Great-Britain. He died of smallpox on October 7, 1772, at the home of our Friend Thomas Priestman, in the suburbs of York. He was buried in the Friends’ burial ground in that city on October 9. Before the burial, a large and solemn Meeting was held for him at their great Meeting House. He was nearly fifty-two years old and had been a minister for more than thirty years. Throughout that time, he belonged to Mount-Holly Particular Meeting, which he attended diligently when he was home and in good health. We hope that his labors of love and his devout care for the prosperity of Friends in the blessed Truth will not be forgotten. We hope his good works will be remembered for the spiritual benefit of others.

Signed in, and by Order of, the said Meeting, by

Signed by order of the meeting by

Samuel Allinson, Clerk.

Samuel Allinson, Clerk.

Read and approved at our Quarterly-meeting, held at Burlington the 29th of the eighth Month, 1774.

Read and approved at our Quarterly Meeting in Burlington on August 29, 1774.

Signed, by Order of said Meeting,

Signed by order of the meeting,

Daniel Smith, Clerk.

Daniel Smith, Clerk.