In visiting people of note in the Society who had slaves, and labouring with them in brotherly love on that account, I have seen, and the sight has affected me, that a conformity to some customs, distinguishable from pure wisdom, has entangled many; and the desire of gain to support these customs, greatly opposed the work of truth. And sometimes when the prospect of the 10 work before me has been such that in bowedness of spirit I have been drawn into retired places, and besought the Lord with tears that he would take me wholly under his direction, and shew me the way in which I ought to walk, it hath revived with strength of conviction, that if I would be his faithful servant, I must in all things attend to his wisdom, and be teachable; and so cease from all customs contrary thereto, however used amongst religious people. 20 As He is the perfection of power, of wisdom, and of goodness, so I believe He hath provided that so much labour 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 30 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. Being thus fully convinced, and feeling an increasing desire to live in the 40 spirit of peace; being often sorrowfully affected with the thinking on the unquiet spirit in which wars are generally carried on, and with the miseries of many of my fellow-creatures engaged therein; some suddenly destroyed; some wounded, and after much pain remain. crippled; some deprived of all their out⚫ward substance, and reduced to want; and some carried into captivity; think- 50 ing 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, 1 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 strait upon me; and thus I remained in the use of some things contrary to my judgment. On the thirty-first day of the fifth month, 1761, I was taken ill of a fever; and after having it near a week, I was in great distress of body. And one day there was a cry raised in me, that I might understand the cause why I was afflicted, and improve under it; and my conformity to some customs, which I believed were not right, was brought to my remembrance; and in the continuation of this exercise, I felt all the powers in me yield themselves up into the hands of Him who gave me being; and was made thankful that he had taken hold of me by his chastisement, feeling the necessity of further purifying. There was now no desire in me for health, until the design of my correction was answered; and thus I lay in abasement and brokenness of spirit. And as I felt a sinking down into a calm resignation, so I felt, as in an instant, an inward healing in my nature; and from that time forward I grew better. Though I was thus settled in my mind in relation to hurtful dyes, I felt easy to wear my garments heretofore made; and so continued about nine months. Then I thought of getting a hat the natural colour of the fur; but the apprehension of being looked upon as one affecting singularity, felt uneasy to me. And here I had occasion to consider that things, though small in themselves, being clearly enjoined by divine authority, became great things to us; and I trusted that the Lord would support me in the trials that might attend singularity. While that 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. And at a time when one of my dear brethren was concerned in humble supplication, I, being then 1 different deeply bowed in spirit before the Lord, was made willing, in case I got safe home, to speak for a hat of the natural colour of the fur; and did so. In attending publick meetings, this singularity was a trial upon me, and more especially at this time, white hats being in use amongst some who were fond of following the changeable. modes of dress; and as some Friends, 10 who knew not on what motives I wore it, carried shy of me, I felt my way for a time shut up in the ministry; and in this condition, my mind being turned toward my heavenly Father, with fervent cries that I might be preserved to walk before him in the meekness of wisdom, my heart was often tender in meetings, and I felt an inward consolation, which to me was very precious 20 under those difficulties. I had several dyed garments fit for use, which I believed it best to wear, till I had occasion of new ones: and some friends were apprehensive, that my wearing such a hat savoured of an affected singularity. Such who spake with me in a friendly way, I generally informed in a few words, that I believed my wearing it, was not in my own will. 30 I had at times been sensible that a superficial friendship had been dangerous to me; and many Friends being now uneasy with me, I had an inclination to acquaint some with the manner of my being led into these things; yet, upon a deeper thought, I was for a time most easy to omit it, believing the present. dispensation was profitable; and trusting, that if I kept my place, the Lord 40 in his own time would open the hearts of Friends toward me. Since which, I have had occasion to admire his goodness and loving-kindness, in leading about and instructing, and opening and enlarging my heart in some of our meetings. [UNNECESSARY ADORNMENTS] self in the cabbin of the ship called Mary and Elizabeth, James Sparks, Master, and John Head, of the city of Philadelphia, the owner; and I, feeling a draft in my mind toward the stearage of the same ship, went first of all and opened to Samuel the feeling I had concerning it. My beloved friend wept when I spake to him, and appeared glad that I had thoughts of going in the vessel with him, though my prospect was toward the stearage; and he offering to go with me, we went on board, first into the cabbin, a commodious room, and then into the stearage, where we sat down on a chest, the sailors being busy about us. The owner of the ship also came and sat down with us. Here my mind was turned towards Christ, the Heavenly Counsellor; and feeling at this time my own will subjected, my heart was contrite before him. A motion was made by the owner to go and sit in the cabin, as a place more retired; but I felt easy to leave the ship, and, making no agreement as to a passage in her, told the owner if I took a passage in the ship I believed it would be in the stearage; but did not say much as to my exercise in that case. After I went to my lodgings, and the case was a little known in town, a Friend laid before me the great inconvenience attending that stearage, which for a time appeared very discouraging to me. I soon after went to bed, and my mind was under a deep exercise before the Lord, whose helping hand was manifested to me as I slept that night, and his love strengthened my heart. In the morning I went with two Friends on board the vessel again, and after a short time spent therein, I went with Samuel Emlen to the house of the owner, to whom, in the hearing of Samuel only, opened my exercise in substance as follows, in relation to a scruple I felt Memorandum of my proceedings to 50 with regard to a passage in the cabin.take a passage for England on a religious visit. My beloved friend Saml. Emlen, junior, having taken a passage for him I I told the owner that on the outside of that part of the ship where the cabin. was, I observed sundry sorts of carved work and imagery, and that in the cabin I observed some superfluity of workmanship of several sorts; and that according to the ways of men's reckoning, the sum of money to be paid for a passage in that apartment hath some relation to the expense of furnishing it to please the minds of such as give way to a conformity to this world; and that in this case, as in other cases, the moneys received from the passengers 10 are calculated to answer every expense relating to their passage, and amongst the rest the expense of these superfluities. And that in this case I felt a scruple with regard to paying my money to defray such expenses. .. After this I agreed for a passage in the stearage; and hearing that Joseph White had a mind to see me, I went to his house, and next day home, where I 20 tarried two nights. And then early in the morning I parted with my family, under a sense of the humbling hand of God upon me; and going to Philadelphia, had opportunity with several of my beloved friends, who appeared to be concerned for me on account of the unpleasant situation of that part of the vessel in which I was likely to lodge. In these opportunities my my mind, 30 through the mercies of the Lord, was kept low, in an inward waiting for his help; and Friends having expressed their desire that I might have a more convenient place than the steerage, did not urge it, but appeared disposed to leave me to the Lord. [A VISION] In a time of sickness with the 40 pleurisy, a little upward of two years and a half ago, I was brought so near the gates of death that I forgot my name. Being then desirous to know who I was, I saw a mass of matter of a dull gloomy colour, between the south and the east; and was informed, that this mass was human beings in as great misery as they could be, and live; and that I was mixed in with them, and that 50 henceforth I might not consider myself as a distinct or separate being. In this state I remained several hours. I then heard a soft melodious voice, more pure and harmonious than any I had heard with my ears before, and I believed it was the voice of an angel, who spake to the other angels. The words were, John Woolman is dead. I soon remembered that I once was John Woolman; and being assured that I was alive in the body, I greatly wondered what that heavenly voice could mean. I believed, beyond doubting, that it was the voice of an holy angel; but as yet it was a mystery to me. I was then carried in spirit to the mines, where poor oppressed people were digging rich treasures for those called Christians; and heard them blaspheme the name of Christ, at which I was grieved, for his name to me was precious. Then I was informed, that these heathen were told that those who oppressed them were the followers of Christ; and they said amongst themselves, if Christ directed them to use us in this sort, then Christ is a cruel tyrant. All this time the song of the angel remained a mystery; and in the morning, my dear wife and some others coming to my bedside, I asked them, if they knew who I was. And they telling me I was John Woolman, thought I was light-headed; for I told them not what the angel said, nor was I disposed to talk much to any one; but was very desirous to get so deep that I might understand this mystery. My tongue was often so dry that I could not speak till I had moved it about and gathered some moisture, and as I lay still for a time, at length I felt divine power prepare my mouth that I could speak; and then I said, "I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ that liveth in me; and the life I now live in the flesh, is by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Then the mystery was opened; and I perceived there was joy in Heaven over a sinner who had repented; and that that language, John Woolman is dead, meant no more than the death of my own will. THE STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (1706-1790) ADVICE TO A YOUNG TRADES MAN TO MY FRIEND, A. B.: As you have desired it of me, I write the following hints, which have been of service to me, and may, if observed, be so to you. Remember that time is money. He that can earn ten shillings a day by his labor and goes abroad or sits idle onehalf of that day, though he spends but sixpence during his diversion or idleness, ought not to reckon that the only expense; he has really spent, or rather thrown away, five shillings besides. 10 Remember that credit is money. If a man lets his money lie in my hands 20 after it is due, he gives me the interest, or so much as I can make of it during that time. This amounts to a considerable sum where a man has good and large credit and makes good use of it. Remember that money is of the prolific, generating nature. Money can beget money, and its offspring can beget more, and so on. Five shillings turned is six; turned again it is seven 30 and threepence, and so on till it becomes a hundred pounds. The more there is of it the more it produces every turning, so that the profits rise quicker and quicker. He that kills a breeding sow destroys all her offspring to the thousandth generation. He that murders a crown destroys all that it might have produced, even scores of pounds. Remember that six pounds a year is 40 but a groat a day. For this little sum (which may be daily wasted either in time or expense unperceived) a man of credit may, on his own security, have the constant possession and use of a 1 four pence 1 105 hundred pounds. So much in stock briskly turned by an industrious man produces great advantage. Remember this saying, "The good paymaster is lord of another man's purse." He that is known to pay punctually and exactly to the time he promises may at any time and on any occasion raise all the money his friends can spare. This is sometimes of great use. After industry and frugality, nothing contributes more to the raising of a young man in the world than punctuality and justice in all his dealings; therefore never keep borrowed money an hour beyond the time you promised, lest a disappointment shut up your friend's purse forever. The most trifling actions that affect a man's credit are to be regarded. The sound of your hammer at five in the morning or nine at night heard by a creditor makes him easy six months. longer; but if he sees you at a billiardtable or hears your voice at a tavern, when you should be at work, he sends for his money the next day; demands it, before he can receive it, in a lump. It shows, besides, that you are mindful of what you owe; it makes you appear a careful as well as an honest man, and that still increases your credit. Beware of thinking all your own that you possess and of living accordingly. It is a mistake that many people who have credit fall into. To prevent this, keep an exact account for some time, both of your expenses and your income. If you take the pains at first to mention particulars, it will have this good effect: you will discover how wonderfully small, trifling, expenses mount up to large sums; and will discern what might have been and may for the future be saved without occasioning any great inconvenience. In short, the way to wealth, if you desire it, is as plain as the way to market. It depends chiefly on two words, industry and frugality; that is, waste neither time nor money, but make the best use of both. Without industry and frugality nothing will do, and with them everything. He that gets all he can honestly and saves all he gets (necessary expenses excepted) will certainly become rich, if that Being who governs the world, to whom all should look for a blessing on their honest endeavors, doth not, in his wise. providence, otherwise determine. AN OLD TRADESMAN. THE WAY TO WEALTH COURTEOUS READER: horse lately where a great number of people were collected at a vendue 2 of merchant goods. The hour of sale not being come, they were conversing on the badness of the times, and one of the company call'd to a plain clean old man, with white locks, "Pray, Father Abraham, what think you of the times? Won't these heavy taxes quite ruin the 10 country? How shall we be ever able to pay them? What would you advise us to?" Father Abraham stood up, and reply'd, "If you'd have my advice, I'll give it you in short, for A word to the wise is enough, and many words won't fill a bushel, as Poor Richard says." They all join'd in desiring him to speak his mind, and gathering round him, he proceeded as follows: 20 I have heard that nothing gives an author so great pleasure, as to find his works respectfully quoted by other learned authors. This pleasure I have seldom enjoyed; for tho' I have been, if I may say it without vanity, an eminent author of almanacks annually now a full quarter of a century, my brother authors in the same way, for what reason I know not, have ever been 30 very sparing in their applauses, and no other author has taken the least notice of me; so that did not my writings produce me some solid pudding, the great deficiency of praise would have quite discouraged me. I concluded at length that the people were the best judges of my merit, for they buy my works; and besides, in my rambles, where I am not personally 40 known, I have frequently heard one or other of my adages repeated, with, as Poor Richard says, at the end on't. This gave me some satisfaction, as it showed not only that my instructions were regarded, but discovered likewise some respect for my authority; and I own, that to encourage the practice of remembering and repeating those wise sentences, I have sometimes quoted my- 50 self with great gravity. Judge, then how much I must have been gratified by an incident I am going to relate to you. I stopt my "Friends," says he, "and neighbours, the taxes are indeed very heavy, and if those laid on by the government were the only ones we had to pay, we might more easily discharge them; but we have many others, and much more grievous to some of us. We are taxed twice as much by our idleness, three times as much by our pride, and four times as much by our folly; and from these taxes the commissioners cannot ease or deliver us by allowing an abatement. However, let us hearken to good advice, and something may be done for us; God helps them that help themselves, as Poor Richard says, in his Almanack of 1733. "It would be thought a hard government that should tax its people onetenth part of their time, to be employed in its service. But idleness taxes many of us much more, if we reckon all that is spent in absolute sloth, or doing of nothing, with that which is spent in idle employments or amusements that amount to nothing. Sloth, by bringing on diseases, absolutely shortens life. Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labour wears; while the used key is always bright, as Poor Richard says. But dost thou love life, then do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is made of, as Poor Richard says. How much more than is necessary do we 2 sale |