Mission with Prophetic Power: The Journal of John Woolman (SRSC 12)

Chapter 6: The Reform of Church and State (1763–1768)

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meetings which many people attend. I heard of some who had been irreligious people that were now his followers, and were become sober, well-behaved men and women. Some irregularities, I hear, have been among the people at several of his meetings; but from what I have perceived I believe the man and some of his followers are honestly disposed, but that skillful fathers are lacking among them. We then went to Choptank and Third Haven, and from there to Queen Anne’s. The weather for some days past having been hot and dry, and we having traveled pretty steadily and having hard labor in meetings, I grew weak, at which I was for a time discouraged; but looking over our journey and considering how the Lord had supported our minds and bodies, so that we had gone forward much faster than I expected before we came out, I saw that I had been in danger of too strongly desiring to get quickly through the journey, and that the bodily weakness now attending me was a kindness; and then in contrition of spirit, I became very thankful to my gracious Father for this manifestation of His love, and in humble submission to His will my trust in Him was renewed. Thoughts on the Differences Between Northern and Southern Regions; On the Reform of the Church (1766) In this part of our journey, I had many thoughts on the different circumstances of Friends who inhabit Pennsylvania and Jersey from those who dwell in Maryland, Virginia, and Carolina. Pennsylvania and New Jersey were settled by Friends who were convinced of our principles in England in times of suffering; these, coming over, bought lands of the natives, and applied to husbandry in a