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

Chapter 8: Finishing Well (1772)

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vessel. I afterward went through the same exercise* in several Friends’ houses in America, as well as in England, and I have cause to acknowledge with humble reverence the lovingkindness of my heavenly Father, who has preserved me in such a tender frame of mind, that none, I believe, have ever been offended at what I have said on that subject. After this sickness I spoke not in public meetings for worship for nearly one year, but my mind was very often in company with the oppressed slaves as I sat in meetings; and though under this dispensation I was shut up from speaking, yet the spring of the gospel ministry was many times livingly opened* in me, and the divine gift operated by abundance of weeping, in feeling the oppression of this people. It being so long since I passed through this dispensation, and the matter remaining fresh and lively in my mind, I believe it safest for me to commit it to writing. Thirtieth of Eighth Month.—This morning I wrote a letter in substance as follows: Beloved Friend,—My mind is often affected as I pass along under a sense of the state of many poor people who sit under that sort of ministry which requires much outward labor to support it; and the lovingkindness of our heavenly Father in opening a pure gospel ministry in this nation has often raised thankfulness in my heart to Him. I often remember the conflicts of the faithful under persecution, and now look at the free exercise of the pure gift uninterrupted by outward laws as a trust committed to us, which requires our deepest gratitude and most careful attention. I feel a tender concern* that the work of reformation so prosperously carried on in this land within a few ages