THE ESSAYS OF JOHN WOOLMAN

SOME

CONSIDERATIONS

ON THE

KEEPING OF NEGROES.

Recommended to the Professors of Christianity of every
Description.

1746

PART I.

The Manuscript of this Essay was written in 1746, after John Woolman's return from his first Southern journey, and was not printed until eight years after, in 1754. It was then examined by the Publication Committee of the Meeting for Sufferings, (now the Representative Meeting) and the Yearly Meeting of Philadelphia ordered it printed in that year.

The originals of this, and of Part II, are from John Woolman's manuscript in the folio, A. Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

INTRODUCTION.

Customs generally approved, and Opinions received by youth from their Superiors, become like the natural Produce of a Soil, especially when they are suited to favourite Inclinations: But as the Judgments of God are without partiality, by which the State of the Soul must be tried, it would be the highest Wisdom to forego Customs and popular Opinions, and try the Treasures of the Soul by the infallible Standard TRUth.

"Considerations," etc. Part II.
Titlepage of First Edition, 1762.

Printed by Benjamin Franklin.

Natural Affection needs a careful Examination: Operating upon us in a soft Manner, it kindles Desires of Love and Tenderness, and there is Danger of taking it for something higher. To me it appears an Instinct like that which inferior Creatures have: each of them, we see, by the Ties of Nature, love Self best; that which is a Part of Self, they love by the same Tie or Instinct. In them, it in some Measure does the Offices of Reason; by which, among other Things, they watch fully keep, and orderly feed their helpless Offspring. Thus Natural Affection appears to be a Branch of Self-love, good in the Animal Race, in us likewise, with proper Limitations; but otherwise is productive of Evil, by exciting Desires to promote some by Means prejudicial to others.

Our Blessed Lord seems to give a Check to this irregular Fondness in nature, and, at the same Time, a Precedent for us: Who is my mother, and who are my brethren? Thereby intimating, that the earthly Ties of Relationship, are comparatively, inconsiderable to such who thro' a steady Course of Obedience, have come to the happy Experience of the Spirit of God bearing witness with their Spirits that they are his Children: And he stretched forth his hands towards his disciples, and said, Behold my mother, and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in Heaven, (arrives at the more noble part of true relationship) the same is my Brother, and Sister and Mother. Matt. xii. 48.

This doctrine agrees well with a State truly compleat, where LOVE necessarily operates according to the agreeableness of Things, on principles unalterable and in themselves perfect.

If endeavouring to have my Children eminent amongst Men after my Death, be that which no reasons grounded on these Principles can be brought to support; then, to be temperate in my Pursuit after Gain, and to keep always within the Bounds of those Principles, is an indispensable Duty; and to depart from it, a dark unfruitful Toil.

In our present Condition, to Love our Children is needful; but except this Love proceeds from the true heavenly Principle which sees beyond earthly Treasures, it will rather be injurious than of any real Advantage to them: Where the Fountain is corrupt, the Streams must necessarily be impure.

That important Injunction of our Saviour, Matt. vi. 33, with the Promise annexed, contains a short but comprehensive View of our Duty and Happiness: If then the Business of Mankind in this Life, is, to first seek another; if this cannot be done, but by attending to the Means; if a Summary of the Means is, [not to do that to another which, in like Circumstances, we would not have done unto us;] then these are Points of Moment, and worthy of our most serious Consideration.

[What I write on this Subject is with Reluctance, and] the Hints given are in as general Terms as my Concern would allow [I know it is a Point about which, in all its Branches. Men that appear to aim well are not generally agreed; and for that reason, I choose to avoid being very particular:] 3 If I may happily have let drop any Thing that may excite such as are concerned in the Practice to a close thinking on the Subject treated of, the Candid amongst them may easily do the Subject such further Justice, as, on an impartial Enquiry, it may appear to deserve; and such an Enquiry I would earnestly recommend.

SOME CONSIDERATIONS, &c.

Forasmuch as ye did it to the least of these my brethren, ye did it unto me.-Matt. xxv. 40.

As Many Times there are different Motives to the same Actions; and one does that from a generous Heart, which another does for selfish Ends; The like may be said in this Case.

There are various Circumstances amongst them that keep Negroes, and different Ways by which they fall under their Care; and, I doubt not, there are many well-disposed Persons amongst them, who desire rather to manage wisely and justly in this difficult Matter, than to make gain of it.

But the general Disadvantage which these poor Africans, lie under in an enlightened Christian Country, having often filled

In reprinting this Essay, to accompany Part II, in 1762, certain alterations were suggested by John Woolman. For these words was substituted, "to love the Lord our God with all our hearts, and our neighbours as ourselves:" the altera tions, however, were not printed.

This line omitted by John Woolman, but retained by Publication Committee. As with (1), retained by the Committee, although omitted by the author,