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

Chapter 4: The Ministry of Visitation to Individuals (1757–1759)

85

in our minds is a delight of all others the most pure, and that the honest-hearted not only delight in this, but in the effect of it upon them. He regards the helpless and distressed, and reveals His love to His children under affliction, who delight in beholding His benevolence, and in feeling divine charity moving in them. Of this I may speak a little, for, though since I left you I have often an engaging love and affection toward you and my daughter and friends about home, and going out at this time, when sickness is so great among you, is a trial upon me; yet I often remember there are many widows and fatherless, many who have poor tutors, many who have evil examples before them, and many whose minds are in captivity; for whose sake my heart is at times moved with compassion, so that I feel my mind resigned to leave you for a season, to exercise that gift which the Lord has bestowed on me, which though small compared with some, yet in this I rejoice that I feel love unfeigned toward my fellow creatures. I recommend you to the Almighty, who, I trust, cares for you, and under a sense of His heavenly love remain, Your loving husband, J. W. We crossed from the east end of Long Island to New London, about thirty miles, in a large open boat; while we were out, the wind rising high, the waves several times beat over us, so that to me it appeared dangerous, but my mind was at that time turned to Him who made and governs the deep, and my life was resigned to Him; as He was mercifully pleased to preserve us, I had fresh occasion to consider every day as a day lent to me, and felt a renewed engagement to devote my time, and all