of the gospel ministry often flowed through him with great sweetness and purity, as a refreshing stream to the weary travellers towards the city of God. Skilful in dividing the word, he was furnished by Him in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, to communicate freely to the several states of the people where his lot was cast. His conduct at other times was seasoned with like watchful circumspection, and attention to the guidance of Divine wisdom, which rendered his whole conversation uniformly edifying.

He was fully persuaded that, as the life of Christ comes to reign in the earth, all abuse and unnecessary oppression, both of the human and brute creation, will come to an end; but under the sense of a deep revolt, and an overflowing stream of unrighteousness, his life has been often a life of mourning.

He was deeply concerned on account of that inhuman and iniquitous practice of making slaves of the people of Africa, or holding them in that state; and, on that account, we understand he hath not only written some books, but travelled much on the continent of America, in order to make the negromasters (especially those in profession with us) sensible of the evil of such a practice; and though in this journey to England, he was far removed from the outward sight of their sufferings, yet his deep exercise of mind, and frequent concern to open the miserable state of this deeply injured people, remained; as appears by a short treatise he wrote in this journey. His testimony in the last meeting he attended was on this subject, wherein he remarked, that as we, as a society, when under outward sufferings, had often found it our concern to lay them before those in authority, and thereby, in the Lord's time, had obtained relief, so he recommended this oppressed part of the creation to our notice; that we may, as way may open, represent their sufferings in an individual, if not in a society capacity to those in authority.

Deeply sensible that the desire to gratify people's inclinations in luxury and superfluities, is the principal ground of oppression, and the occasion of many unnecessary wants, he believed it to be his duty to be a pattern of great self-denial, with respect to the things of this life, and earnestly to labour with friends in the meekness of wisdom, to impress on their minds the great importance of our testimony in these things, recommending to the guidance of the blessed truth in this and all other concerns, and cautioning such as are experienced therein, against contenting themselves with acting to the standard of others, but to be careful to make the standard of truth, manifested to them, the measure of their obedience. For, said he "That purity of life which proceeds from faithfulness in following the spirit of truth, that state where our minds are devoted to serve God, and all our wants are bounded by his wisdom; this habitation has often been opened before me as a place of retirement for the children of the light, where they may stand separated from that which disordereth and confuseth the affairs of society, and where we have a testimony of our innocence in the hearts of those who behold us."

We conclude with fervent desires, that we as a people may thus by our example, promote the Lord's work in the earth; and, our hearts being prepared, may unite in prayer to the great Lord of the harvest, that as in his infinite wisdom he hath greatly stripped the church, by removing of late divers faithful ministers and elders, he may be pleased to send forth many more faithful labourers into his harvest.

A TESTIMONY of the Monthly Meeting of Friends, held in Burlington, the first day of the eighth month, in the year of our Lord, 1774, concerning our esteemed friend, John Woolman, deceased.

He was born in Northampton, in the county of Burlington, and province of West-New-Jersey, in the eighth month, 1720, of religious parents, who instructed him very early in the principles of the christian religion, as professed by the people called Quakers; which he esteemed a blessing to him, even in his younger years, tending to preserve him from the infection of wicked children. But through the workings of the enemy, and the levity incident to youth, he frequently deviated from those parental precepts; by which he laid a renewed foundation for repentance, that was finally succeeded by a "godly sorrow not to be repented of;" and so he became acquainted with that sanctifying power which qualifies for true gospel ministry, into which he was called about the twenty-second year of his age; and by a faithful use of the talents committed to him, he experienced an increase, until he arrived at the state of a father, capable of dividing the word aright to the different states he ministered unto; dispensing milk to babes, and meat to those of riper years. Thus he found the efficacy of that power to arise, which in

1

his own expressions, "prepares the creature to stand like a trumpet, through which the Lord speaks to his people." He was a loving husband, a tender father, and was very humane to every part of the creation under his care.

His concern for the poor and those in affliction was evident by his visits to them, whom he frequently relieved by his assistance and charity. He was for many years deeply exercised on account of the poor enslaved Africans, whose cause, as he mentioned, lay almost continually upon him; and he laboured to obtain liberty for those captives both in public and in private, and was favoured to see his endeavours crowned with considerable success. He was particularly desirous that friends should not be instrumental to lay burdens on this oppressed people, but should 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 judgment 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 conveniencies of life which were furnished by their labour.

He was desirous to have his own mind and the minds of others, redeemed from the pleasures and immoderate profits of this world, and to fix them on those joys which fade not away; his principal care being after a life of purity, endeavouring to avoid not only the grosser pollutions, but those also which appearing in a more refined dress, are not sufficiently guarded against by some well-disposed people. In the latter part of his life he was remarkable for the plainness and simplicity of his dress, and as much as possible avoided the use of plate, costly furniture, and feasting; thereby endeavouring to become an example of temperance and self-denial,

which he believed himself called unto; and he was favoured with peace therein, although it carried the appearance of great austerity in the view of some. He was very moderate in his charges in the way of business, and in his desires after gain ; and though a man of industry, avoided and strove much to lead others out of extreme labour and anxiety after perishable things; being desirous that the strength of our bodies might not be spent in procuring things unprofitable, and that we might use moderation and kindness to the brute animals under our care, to prize the use of them as a great favour, and by no means to abuse them; that the gifts of Providence should be thankfully received, and applied to the uses they were designed for.

He several times opened a school at Mount Holly, for the instruction of poor friends' children and others; being concerned for their help and improvement therein. His love and care for the rising youth among us was truly great, recommending to parents, and those who have the charge of them, to choose conscientious and pious tutors; saying "it is a lovely sight to behold innocent children:" and that, "to labour for their help against that which would mar the beauty of their minds, is a debt we owe them."

His ministry was sound, very deep and penetrating, sometimes pointing out the dangerous situation which indulgence and custom lead into; frequently exhorting others, especially the youth, not to be discouraged at the difficulties which occur, but to press after purity. He often expressed an earnest engagement that pure wisdom should be attended to, which would lead into lowliness of mind, and resignation to the Divine will, in which state small possessions here would be sufficient.

In transacting the affairs of the discipline, his judgment was sound and clear, and he was very useful in treating with