The Journal of John Woolman, Quaker (and Other Selected Writings) (A Christian Classic!) eBook: John Woolman: Amazon.com.au: Kindle Store
NOTE: This edition has a linked "Table of Contents" and has been beautifully formatted (searchable and interlinked) to work on your Amazon e-book reader, iPad e-book reader, iPhone e-book reader, BlackBerry e-book reader, Android e-book reader, iPod e-book reader and your Amazon Desktop Reader.
In this volume:
- The Selected Letters of John Woolman
- The Journal of John Woolman
- Considerations on the Keeping of Negros
John Woolman (October 19, 1720 – October 7, 1772) was a Quaker preacher, traveling throughout the American colonies, advocating against conscription, military taxation, and particularly slavery.
Woolman showed unusual insight for the time, in that he lived and worked among the Indians, recognizing that the Spirit moved among them also. He showed concern for the poor, for animals, and for the environment, his Quakerly witness qualifying as one of the earliest precedents to modern campaigns and sensibilities in those areas.
In Woolman's travels, whenever he received hospitality from a slaveholder, he insisted on paying the slaves for their work in attending him. He would also refuse to be served with silver cups, plates, and utensils, on grounds that slaves were forced to dig such precious minerals and gems for the rich. On one occasion in his early adulthood, he did convey the ownership of a slave in someone's will, but was later so filled with remorse over the act that he went back, found the individual so injured, and made monetary reparations sufficient to sustain that person in freedom for some years.
The Journal of John Woolman is not only considered to be an important spiritual document, but also a classic in English literature. It is reportedly the longest-published book in the history of North America other than the Bible, having been continuously published since before the 1776 revolution.
A great example of life in a simpler time.
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Amazon.com: 4.3 out of 5 stars 6 reviews
Chuck
5.0 out of 5 starsClassic Spiritual Statement26 November 2012 - Published on Amazon.com
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John Woolman is profoundly spiritual and, as a Quaker, wrote his spiritual autobiography in this journal. Woolman originated the consumer boycott for moral reasons, refusing to wear indigo dyed clothes because the dye was produced by slaves. His horror at killing a mother bird and the resulting necessity of slaughtering her nestlings is a classic tale of the consequences of thoughtless cruelty. John Woolman limits his material success as a tailor in order to avoid the traps of materialism and material success. Woolman was the reason, with other "traveling" Quakers, for the Society of Friends and all its members divesting themselves of ownership of slaves, thus freeing the Society for leadership in the abolitionist cause in the 19th century. Woolman is also a founder of the movement for animal welfare when he visits England and is horrified by the treatment of horses (and very young post boys on the carriages). He walks over England rather than rides, for his conscious sake. Unfortunately, he also refuses small pox vaccine (because of the sadly mistaken concept that God did not ordain us to vaccinate against the disease). His death is tragic and he is buried in England. Anyone interested in spiritual journals, Quakers, the history of the Abolitionist movement, or the history of religion in North America should find this essay interesting. His other essays on Slavery and other matters are surely worth reading also. Woolman is a spiritual giant. For contemporaries in America, his anti-materialism and clear thinking are incredible.
6 people found this helpful
Lynn J. Magnuson
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat Activist and Abolitionist on Kindle at Last!15 March 2013 - Published on Amazon.com
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John Woolman was an early Quaker who opposed slavery and spoke often of social justice and human rights. His journal is a classic among Quakers and something of a guide to living as well. I appreciate having this guide and earlier follow of my faith on Kindle. I've had a "hard copy" (paperback print book) around for years but this copy I can take anywhere. Love it.
3 people found this helpful
Wyandotte Family
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat read12 February 2018 - Published on Amazon.com
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Love hearing his heart for God and for the slaves. Neat read. Also loved the history of what was taking place in our country in the the late 1750's
Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsThe Quaker Saint6 September 2013 - Published on Amazon.com
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John Woolman records his journey in the Light as a Quaker seeking truth. This is a great inspiration to me as I too seek knowledge.
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myra best christeck
2.0 out of 5 starsTedious, At Best6 February 2014 - Published on Amazon.com
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I had great hopes that I would enjoy this seminal Quaker work, but I just found it tedious. He spends most of the diary noting where he is going and who he is with. He seems to have two main topics that he returns to over and over--the blessings of frugality and the wrongness of slavery. I can see why it is a seminal work, but it took a great deal of persistence just to get through it.
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