Woolman

Living Testimony

Part A – Biographical Sketch

Part B – Woolman’s Inward/Outward Life

Part C – Woolman’s Legacy

Born October 1720 in West New Jersey, a Quaker colony in the Americas

From Lord Berkeley

From the native peoples

A thoughtful and meditative child, with a “wild period” in his youth

Capacity for self-criticism and sensitive to contradictions between stated values and some practices among Friends

Early experience with troubled conscience and regret

Began series of choices to harmonize work and values

Let go of profitable retail operation to allow more time for reflection and travel

Refused to write any more documents or wills involving sale or transfer of slaves

war tax and armed resistance

billeting soldiers

The Death of General Wolfe, Benjamin West 1770

“conduct is

more convincing

than language”

Concern for “oppressors”

as well as “oppressed”

is about relationships

among people

and with Creation

• dyed clothing

• sugar

• using land wisely

• care of beasts

Many slaves on this

continent are oppressed, and

their cries have reached the

ears of the Most High. Such

are the purity and certainty of

his judgments, that he

cannot be partial in our favor.

Anti-slavery work: laboring with Friends• with his yearly meeting• in Southern Colonies• London Yearly Meeting

voyage over

London Yearly Meeting epistle

death in York

The Inward/Outward Life: how John Woolman stayed grounded

•abolitionist• mystic•gentle radical•social reformer

Prayer and action

To love and reverence God

is to love and reverence God

“in all his manifestations

in the visible world”

but puts a claim on the faithful to work for justice, however unpopular

one can speak plainly without being self-righteous

Inward Practices

Corporate Worship• find a way forward without ego or pride• connect with the condition of others• be challenged and supported

Meditative Reading• Scripture “and other good books”• Read Bible as mirror• Prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah

Journal Keeping – an “inner laboratory”

Outward Practices

Witness through Personal Choice• livelihood• dress• travel

Witness through conversation• ministry• travel among Friends• an invitation to greater sympathy with others

Seeking harmony and integration of inward and outward

Prayer as “inward activism” and witness as “outward prayer” Dan Snyder 2008

Integration of all the testimonies – springing from one source i.e. simplicity and peace

Woolman’s Legacy

The impact of our economic choices on peace and justice

The rights of people, animals and the environment – harmony and sustainability

War tax resistance

Xenophobia

Starting with self, then nearest community, then wider community

Grounding work in personal experience; seeking to understand the condition of others

Not enough to talk about issues, but to take action, however small the steps

Positive action more effective than negative

Speaking with respect, even when offering criticism; offering an invitation to grow

Recognizing the imperfections of humanity –don’t expect miracles, but don’t be satisfied with the status quo

Even oppressors need redemption

Doing the fair thing, even at personal cost

The journal of John Woolmanhas never been out of print since it was first published over 200 years ago.

Its influence extends beyond the world of Friends.