Thursday, March 4, 2010 by Jay T.

to John Woolman–about the conclusion of Chapter VII:

I’ve been learning for quite some years (It’s not an easy lesson for me.) to accept and treasure the understanding that my own efforts and strengths are minute next to what God can do in a situation.

The poverty of spirit and inward weakness, with which I was much tried the fore part of this journey, has of late appeared to me a dispensation of kindness.  ………..I was led into a deep search, whether in all things my mind was resigned to the will of God; often querying with myself what should be the cause of such inward poverty, and greatly desiring that no secret reserve in my heart might hinder my access to the Divine fountain. In these humbling times I was made watchful, and excited to attend to the secret movings of the heavenly principle in my mind, which prepared the way to some duties that in more easy and prosperous times as to the outward, I believe I should have been in danger of omitting.

          Journal of John Woolman

It’s a reassurance that you’ve found that same experience worth making the underlying theme of this chapter.

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Sunday, February 28, 2010 by Jay T.

 Dear John

In your accounts of 1760, I’m reading:

Being two days in going to Nantucket, and having been there once before, I observed many shoals in their bay, which make sailing more dangerous, especially in stormy nights; also, that a great shoal, which encloses their harbor, prevents the entrance of sloops except when the tide is up. Waiting without for the rising of the tide is sometimes hazardous in storms, and by waiting within they sometimes miss a fair wind. I took notice that there was on that small island a great number of inhabitants, and the soil not very fertile, the timber being so gone that for vessels, fences, and firewood, they depend chiefly on buying from the Main, for the cost whereof, with most of their other expenses, they depend principally upon the whale fishery. I considered that as towns grew larger, and lands near navigable waters were more cleared, it would require more labor to get timber and wood. I understood that the whales, being much hunted and sometimes wounded and not killed, grow more shy and difficult to come at.

I considered that the formation of the earth, the seas, the islands, bays, and rivers, the motions of the winds, and great waters, which cause bars and shoals in particular places, were all the works of Him who is perfect wisdom and goodness; and as people attend to his heavenly instruction, and put their trust in him, he provides for them in all parts where he gives them a being;

and as in this visit to these people I felt a strong desire for their firm establishment on the sure foundation, besides what was said more publicly, I was concerned to speak with the women Friends in their Monthly Meeting of business, many being present, and in the fresh spring of pure love to open before them the advantage, both inwardly and outwardly, of attending singly to the pure guidance of the Holy Spirit, and therein to educate their children in true humility and the disuse of all superfluities. I reminded them of the difficulties their husbands and sons were frequently exposed to at sea, and that the more plain and simple their way of living was the less need there would be of running great hazards to support them. I also encouraged the young women to continue their neat, decent way of attending themselves on the affairs of the house; showing, as the way opened, that where people were truly humble, used themselves to business, and were content with a plain way of life, they had ever had more true peace and calmness of mind than they who, aspiring to greatness and outward show, have grasped hard for an income to support themselves therein. And as I observed they had so few or no slaves, I had to encourage them to be content without them, making mention of the numerous troubles and vexations which frequently attended the minds of the people who depend on slaves to do their labor.

Journal of John Woolman

I’m trying to figure out what you’re getting at.   I first notice the themes of how hard life on an island is and how much the Nantucketers must stretch God’s resources to provide for themselves.  Then I read your reminder to women to keep low and avoid vanities so as not to lead to the greediness that engenders risk on the sea and the keeping of slaves.

With my early 21st century filters, am I reading too much concern for the creation into your writing?  Is your concern more for the souls of the Nantucket women, for the slaves they might keep or for the supplies of timber and firewood?  Or is it for all of these–the web of relationships between the greed of people, the health of our souls and the demands we can put on others and the creation?

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Sunday, January 10, 2010 by Jay T.

Last spring, two groups in my meeting began some conversations with each other and with John Woolman.  After reading a chapter and responding to it in our journals, Friends would meet periodically to discuss what we’d read, how we’d reacted and how we can change our lives to be more congruous with Quaker testimonies.  There’s some more info about it in an earlier post.

The other two Friends in my small group moved away last summer.  The second group is starting to meet again and I’m joining it.  We’re reading Chapter IV.

If John Woolman reads this, I hope he’ll respond.  If you’d like to answer for him, or respond out of your own experience, please do.

John:

Thanks for providing us a sense of the strong concern you felt for Negroes in your time.  I am even more grateful for the timeless wisdom I see in this passage:

It appeared to me that through the prevailing of the spirit of this world the minds of many were brought to an inward desolation, and instead of the spirit of meekness, gentleness, and heavenly wisdom, which are the necessary companions of the true sheep of Christ, a spirit of fierceness and the love of dominion too generally prevailed. From small beginnings in error great buildings by degrees are raised, and from one age to another are more and more strengthened by the general concurrence of the people; and as men obtain reputation by their profession of the truth, their virtues are mentioned as arguments in favor of general error; and those of less note, to justify themselves, say, such and such good men did the like.

I know in my own life how, “from small beginnings in error great buildings by degrees are raised.”  I do many mistaken things out of custom.  Even easier to see are the confounded errors of the big organizations many of us work for or support.  Why do schools give letter grades?  Why do we pretend that repeatedly testing children will insure that they learn?  What good is it to put a monthly query in the meeting’s newsletter, but never mention it outside of that?

Despite the depth of your caring about the issue of slave trade, when the yearly meeting in Virginia temporized in adopting a query against it, you were able to first draw the compromise to their attention, and later say:

As some of their members have heretofore traded in negroes, as in other merchandise, this query being admitted will be one step further than they have hitherto gone, and I did not see it my duty to press for an alteration, but felt easy to leave it all to Him who alone is able to turn the hearts of the mighty, and make way for the spreading of truth on the earth, by means agreeable to his infinite wisdom.

May your persistent, patient example be helpful to all of us who work for change, within churches or the government.

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Friday, May 8, 2009 by Jay T.

This morning I came to see what seminal work the Friends were doing in 1755–1758.  You relate it well in Chapter Five of the Journal.  I notice that you and the editorial committee have brought together many of the entries you made on the scruples of Friends about war–particularly about paying taxes to support it.  Some of these events are taken from events that happened before the close of the previous chapter.

This grouping that has been done has been juxtaposed in my mind with the biography I’m currently reading about John Adams, the Massachusetts representative to the Continental Congress that convened in Philadelphia less than a decade later.  From Adams actions I came to see how they were learning to put the understandings on natural law of John Locke and other thinkers from the century before yours into plans and resolutions about government and its role in the lives of men. Read the rest of this entry »

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Thursday, April 2, 2009 by Jay T.

We passed on to Manoquacy, Fairfax, Hopewell, and Shanando, and had meetings, some of which were comfortable and edifying.

Just some?  I wonder about the others.

“…comfortable and edifying…”  That’s an interesting phrase.  My meeting is doing some threshing and visioning lately.  We’re trying to find out what manner of gathering we want and are led to be.

There’s often a choice laid in front of us between comfort and challenge.  Do we come to a fellowship to be with those we identify with to be comfortable?  Or do we seek a measure of “spiritual dissonance,” so we can be challenged to grow?  What measure of challenge and dissonance?

….we……made a general visit to the meetings of Friends on the western shore of Maryland…….. 

Read the rest of this entry »

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Wednesday, April 1, 2009 by Jay T.

John, the first time I read through the second chapter of your Journal (1743–1748), I didn’t have much reply.  My own state of heart was pretty barren.  On this second time through, I’m finding some reflections in my own life.

I had a great regard for him, and felt a strong inclination, after matters were settled, to speak to him concerning his conduct in that case; but being a youth, and he far advanced in age and experience, my way appeared difficult; after some days’ deliberation, and inward seeking to the Lord for assistance, I was made subject, so that I expressed what lay upon me in a way which became my youth and his years; and though it was a hard task to me it was well taken, and I believe was useful to us both.

That’s an experience I have had, though less and less as I age.  I’ve heard it referred to as “youngering.”  Sometimes, those who have less status or fewer years have a clear role in reminding their elders of the Guide and principles that they profess to live by. Read the rest of this entry »

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Monday, March 23, 2009 by Jay T.

John

Referring to Abraham Farrington’s ministry, you phrased your description, “In both these meetings my ancient companion was engaged to preach largely in the love of the gospel.”

That’s not a phrasing I would have used, but it does open some windows to me on how vocal ministry is an act of love.  I’m considering this morning how much our speaking flows from the love Friends hold each other in.  Usually I consider ministry as an act of obedience to God, or of passing on the Light as received.  It is that, but your phrasing has pointed me to the relationship between minister and flock.

I’ve long recognized the importance of a healthy school community in the teaching I do.  When the relationships between students, staff and parents are caring and interwoven, the learning and teaching is enriched greatly.  You’re bringing me to remember how much the ministry in a Friends meeting or a church can be a product of the love and community that is present there.

Thanks.

Posted in Conversations with Remarkable Friends, Keeping low, Journal | 1 Comment »

Friday, March 20, 2009 by Jay T.

John

You wrote:

I was now led to look seriously at the means by which I was drawn from the pure truth, and learned that if I would live such a life as the faithful servants of God lived, I must not go into company as heretofore in my own will, but all the cravings of sense must be governed by a Divine principle. 

That helps me in my addictions and back slidings.  It’s kind of like where I’d like my rule making with the news to end up.  When I’m touching a newspaper currently, I don’t have the faculty to discern the governing of a Divine principle. Read the rest of this entry »

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Wednesday, March 18, 2009 by Jay T.

John

Your experience with vanities sounds like mine with my addictions.  When my own discrimination and decision making is part of the moral calculus of what I should engage in, I’m lost to the addiction.  I can even be recognizing, beyond my thinking brain, that I’m just justifying my actions.  I keep on justifying them.  In response, I’ve taken to rule making, at least for now.

The current addiction I’m shedding–or at least coming to terms with (Yes, that’s probably a justification.)–is to news.  After I read the paper my prayers are distracted by worry and the world’s judgments.  Since I pray first thing in the morning, I can easily keep to a rule of no news before that.  Our current delivery is about 6:20 am.  That gives me the paper for breakfast, after prayer time.

On Sundays, the rule I use is not before worship.  When worship was at 11:00 am, that was harder than currently.  Now I just have to hold out until my 9:00 departure for the 9:45 meeting.

I’ve found that if I even touch the newspaper, I start to temporize and experiment.  “Would reading the funnies count?”  “What about the sports section?”  “Here’s a human interest story; I’ll limit myself to just it.”

I usually end up reading more.

If I really want to find a life of continuous prayer, what will I have to do?

I see rule making as a means to clear my heart to remain open so that I can listen and follow guidance from God.  The guidance of Christ that sustains or provides judgment is the true remedy for this addiction–and others.  I make rules just to provide a guidance from outside the immediate moment that will head off the temporizing of my addiction laden personal discriminations.

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Tuesday, March 17, 2009 by Jay T.

John

Please tell me about vanity and foolish jesting, so I might recognize them in my own life.   I do some jesting and feel called to a life work of celebration, yet I’m not sure these are in vain.  What makes them foolish?  Is it the content–or my intent?

Illness seems to create points in your life where openings from the Lord can occur.   Have you any spiritual practices during illness that engender this?  When I’m sick, sometimes I drop my morning prayer time.  I have a sense that’s a mistake.  Your stories tell me that’s a period when my life can open even more to God.

Thanks for writing the Journal, John.  In just the first few pages, it’s helping me.

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