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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none made any objection by way of reply to what I said, but the query* was admitted as they had altered it. As some of their members have previously traded in slaves,* as in other merchandise, this query* being admitted will be one step further than they have thus far gone, and I did not see it my duty to press for an alteration, but felt easy* to leave it all to Him who alone is able to turn the hearts of the mighty, and make way for the spreading of truth* on the earth, by means agreeable to his infinite wisdom. In regard to those they already had, I felt my mind engaged to labor with them, and said that, as we believe the Scriptures were given forth by holy men, as they were moved by the Holy Ghost, and many of us know by experience that they are often helpful and comfortable, and believe ourselves bound in duty to teach our children to read them; I believed that if we were divested of all selfish views, the same good Spirit that gave them forth would engage us to teach slaves* to read, that they might have the benefit of them. Some present manifested a concern* to take more care in the education of their slaves.* Twenty-ninth of Fifth Month.—At the house where I lodged was a meeting of ministers and elders. I found an engagement to speak freely and plainly to them concerning their slaves; mentioning how they as the first rank in the Society,* whose conduct in that case was much noticed by others, were under the stronger obligations to look carefully to themselves—expressing how needful it was for them in that situation to be thoroughly divested of all selfish views; that, living in the pure truth,* and acting conscientiously toward those people in their education and otherwise, they might be instrumental in helping forward a work so exceedingly necessary,