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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Woolman’s time hotly debated the role(s) of government and the opportunities or temptations within service to government. We still debate these issues today. What principles can you identify, either from your reading of Woolman or elsewhere, regarding the relationship between faith and government?

After hearing a report read, Woolman describes an exercise* reviving in his mind “which had attended me for several years.” After inward cries,

he stands up and speaks about two issues: people serving in government inconsistent with the faith, and the owning of slaves. These issues directly touch the wealthiest and most influential members of the Quaker community. It is not easy to hold convictions or “exercises”* for such a long time in the context of certain conflict among your peers. How do you hold these kinds of leadings, convictions, or exercises* in the midst of your own communities of faith?

Notice how Woolman takes steps toward government action: He prays; he writes a draft of something to be read; he talks to others;

he waits for their response; he leaves it in the Lord’s (and others’) hands. He follows a similar process with regard to slavery: praying with tears, writing documents, visiting individuals, speaking at meetings, remaining silent, waiting. How do you “take action” with regard to the reform of church or society? Do you learn anything from reading about how Woolman does it?