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

Chapter 3: The Ministry of Visitation in Meetings (1757–1759)

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feeling of since my mind was drawn toward these parts, and with which I had acquainted my brother before we agreed to join as companions. As the people in this and the Southern Provinces live much on the labor of slaves, many of whom are used hardly, 1 my concern* was that I might attend with singleness of heart to the voice of the true Shepherd, and be so supported as to remain unmoved at the faces of men. As it is common for Friends on such a visit to have entertainment* free of cost, a difficulty arose in my mind with respect to saving my money by kindness received from what appeared to me to be the gain of oppression. Receiving a gift, considered as a gift, brings the receiver under obligations to the benefactor, and has a natural tendency to draw the obliged into a party with the giver. To prevent difficulties of this kind, and to preserve the minds of judges from any bias, was that divine prohibition: “Thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous” (Exod 23:8, KJV). As the disciples were sent forth without any provision for their journey, and our Lord said the workman is worthy of his meat, their labor in the gospel was considered as a reward for their entertainment,* and therefore not received as a gift; yet, in regard to my present journey, I could not see my way clear in that respect. The difference appeared thus: the entertainment* the disciples met with was from them whose hearts God had opened to receive them, from a love to them and the truth they published; but we, considered as members of the same religious Society,* look upon it as a piece of civility to receive each other in such visits; and such receptions,

1 Hardly – To be worked “hardly” is to be overworked.