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

Chapter 8: Finishing Well (1772)

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and high winds and being shut up in a close, unhealthy air. Several nights of late I have felt my breathing difficult; and a little after the rising of the second watch, which is about midnight, I have got up and stood near an hour with my face near the hatchway, to get the fresh air at the small vacancy under the hatch door, which is commonly shut down, partly to keep out rain and sometimes to keep the breaking waves from dashing into the steerage. I may with thankfulness to the Father of mercies acknowledge that in my present weak state, my mind has been supported to bear this affliction with patience; and I have looked at the present dispensation as a kindness from the great Father of all human beings, who, in this my floating pilgrimage, is in some degree bringing me to feel what many thousands of my fellow creatures often suffer in a greater degree. My appetite failing, the trial has been the heavier; and I have felt tender breathings in my soul after God, the Fountain of comfort, whose inward help has supplied at times the lack of outward convenience; and strong desires have attended me that His family, who are acquainted with the movings of His Holy Spirit, may be so redeemed from the love of money and from that spirit in which men seek honor one of another, that in all business, by sea or land, they may constantly keep in view the coming of His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven ( Matt 6:10 ), and, by faithfully following this safe guide, may show forth examples tending to lead out of that under which the creation groans ( Rom 8:22–23 ). This day we had a meeting in the cabin, in which I was favored in some degree to experience the fulfilling of that saying of the prophet, “For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress” (Isa 25:4); for which my heart is bowed in thankfulness before Him.