John Woolman (Article)

John Woolman (Article)

We are glad to find in the communication which has for its title the name of this good and truly great man, a notice of the omission of any reference to his disuse, on principle, of the products of slave labour, in a book which to some extent has become a school book amongst Friends. We think a just portraiture of John Woolman's character cannot be given, without including this peculiar aspect of it Such, unquestionably, was the opinion of Friends when a testimony concerning him was issued by Burlington Monthly Meeting, and approved by Philadelphia Yearly Meeting; from which we extract the following:--

"He was particularly desirous that Friends should not be instrumental to lay burthens on this oppressed people, ("the poor enslaved Africans" and their descendants,) but remember the days of suffering from which they had been providentially delivered, that if times of trouble should return, no injustice dealt to those in slavery might rise in judgement against us, but, being clear, we might on such occasions address the Almighty, with a degree of confidence, for his interposition and relief; being particularly careful, as to himself, not to countenance slavery even by the use of those conveniences of life which were furnished by their labour."

The Non-Slaveholder 2:6, pp. 140-141

6.1.1847