5. 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
6. 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
7. war tax and armed resistance
billeting soldiers
The Death of General Wolfe, Benjamin West 1770
13. 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
14. voyage over
London Yearly Meeting epistle
death in York
15. The Inward/Outward Life:
how John Woolman stayed grounded
•abolitionist
• mystic
•gentle radical
•social reformer
16. Prayer and action
To love and reverence God
is to love and reverence God
“in all his manifestations
in the visible world”
17. but puts a claim on the faithful to
work for justice, however unpopular
19. 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”
20. Outward Practices
Witness through Personal Choice
• livelihood
• dress
• travel
Witness through conversation
• ministry
• travel among Friends
• an invitation to greater sympathy with others
21. 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
23. 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
24. 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
25. 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
26. The journal of John Woolman
has never been out of print
since it was first published
over 200 years ago.
Its influence extends beyond
the world of Friends.