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

Chapter 5: Looking Further (1760–1763)

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labor shall be necessary for men’s support in this world as would, being rightly divided, be a suitable employment of their time; and that we cannot go into superfluities, or grasp after wealth in a way contrary to His wisdom, without having connection with some degree of oppression, and with that spirit which leads to self-exaltation and strife, and which frequently brings calamities on countries by parties contending about their claims. Thinking often on these things, the use of hats and garments dyed with a dye hurtful to them, and wearing more clothes in summer than are useful, grew more uneasy to me, believing them to be customs which have not their foundation in pure wisdom. The apprehension of being singular 1 from my beloved friends was a complication, and thus I continued in the use of some things contrary to my judgment. Though my mind was thus settled in relation to hurtful dyes, I felt easy* to wear my garments previously made, and continued to do so about nine months. Then I thought of getting a hat the natural color of the fur, but the apprehension of being looked upon as one affecting singularity* felt uneasy to me. Here I had occasion to consider that things, though small in themselves, being clearly enjoined by divine authority, become great things to us; and I trusted that the Lord would support me in the trials that might attend singularity,* so long as singularity* was only for His sake. On this account I was under close exercise* of mind in the time of our General Spring Meeting, 1762, greatly desiring to be rightly directed; when, being deeply bowed in spirit before the Lord, I was made willing to submit to what I apprehended

1 Singular – An effort to draw attention to oneself or to appear distinct, fashionable, or novel.