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

Chapter 5 Looking Further (1760–1763)

Chapter Summary We start this chapter with classic Woolman wisdom: “It is good for you to dwell deep, that you might feel and understand the spirits of people.” John Woolman offers this statement in the midst of brief reflection on one of the problems of prophetic mission, the kind of relationship one must foster when confronting another with hard words. As his Journal develops, Woolman spends more time in reflection, looking further in thought. In addition to his reflections on friendships, Woolman, ever conscious of the web of social, physical, economic, and personal forces that play against each other, shares his considerations of the value of the “plain way” of life for people scraping out a living on the coast. He also provides an extended reflection on his decision to wear undyed clothing, a decision which cost him in his image among others. Woolman is keenly aware that our appearance affects our mission. His second

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