The Journal of John Woolman facts for kids

The Journal of John Woolman is a special book written by John Woolman about his own life. It's called an autobiography. The book was published in 1774, after he had passed away. A Quaker printer named Joseph Crukshank in Philadelphia helped share it with the world.

This journal is one of the oldest books in North America that has been printed continuously. It has never gone out of print since it was first published! In his journal, Woolman shares his thoughts on important topics. He wrote about being against slavery and against owning too many things (anti-materialism). He also talked about how power can sometimes lead to bad choices. The book also shares his strong belief in God's kindness and power for everyone on Earth.

People still read The Journal today because it talks about living a simple life. It also shares a hopeful message about God's goodness. John Woolman was one of the first American writers who was not a Puritan. Most writers in Colonial America were Puritans back then. Woolman's writing helped change this, making way for different voices.

Fighting Against Slavery

Why Slavery Was Wrong

John Woolman's journal talks a lot about his decision to fight against slavery. He wrote that he felt how terrible slavery was during the Seven Years' War in North America. While in Province of Maryland, he felt a deep sadness. He saw how people in the Southern areas relied on slaves. Many of these slaves were treated very badly.

Woolman first struggled with slavery when he had to write a bill of sale for a slave. This was for a Quaker friend who was selling a person. He did the job because it was part of his work. But after this, Woolman took a clear stand. He said that he believed keeping slaves was wrong for a Christian. His journal shows his inner struggle. He worked to understand his true feelings about buying and selling people. This led him to publish other writings, like Some Considerations on the Keeping of Negroes.

Slavery is a big topic in Woolman's journal. He wrote more about it after the bill of sale event. He talked about visiting people who did not care for their slaves well. This made him feel very uncomfortable. He also mentioned people who treated their slaves kindly. This made him feel more at ease. But then, Woolman thought deeper. He realized that even if slaves were treated well, they were still taken from their homes. His constant thoughts on slavery make him one of the first people to fight for its end.

Power and Fairness

Woolman believed that one problem with slavery was that people had too much power. He wrote: "men having power too often misapplied it." He compared how Americans made slaves of Africans to how the Turks made slaves of Christians. This idea of freedom was already very important in America. Many people came to America looking for some kind of freedom. Woolman's ideas about how power can corrupt continued to be important. This was especially true as the American Revolution was just starting. Joseph Crukshank published the journal around this time.

God's Kindness and Mercy

Quakers and Puritans

In his journal, Woolman wrote about his connection with God. He shared his views on God's love. He said that as young as age 7, he began to feel "divine love." His ideas about God's love were different from what Puritans believed. Puritans often thought of God as less forgiving. For example, Jonathan Edwards, a Puritan, wrote Sinners in the Hands of An Angry God. This book suggested God did not care for people on Earth as much as Woolman believed. Woolman's journal spoke of a God who gives wisdom and creates feelings of sweetness and strong mercy.

Being Accepting of Others

Woolman's belief in God's love and mercy made him and other Quakers more accepting of others. He wrote: "I found no narrowness respecting sects and opinions." He believed that good, honest people in every group who truly loved God were accepted by Him. This was a very different idea from other major religions in America at that time. Puritans were often very strict, even with people in their own group. This strictness was one reason for events like the Salem Witch Trials.

Quakers' different ideas about God also made Puritans dislike them. Puritans saw Quaker beliefs as a type of religious error. Woolman did not write about this dislike in his journal. Instead, he focused on what he knew and believed. He felt that being accepting and merciful to others came from God. He wrote that God "hath placed a principle in the human mind which incites to exercise goodness towards every living creature."

These ideas about being accepting and kind to others make Woolman's writings easy to connect with. He seems very real and honest because he was so accepting of everyone. Many Christians today still connect with his ideas about mercy. This is one reason why his journal has been printed continuously since it first came out.

Living Simply

John Woolman did many jobs in his life. He was a merchant, a tailor, and a Quaker preacher. Along the way, he decided that his money and possessions were hurting him. He felt they were getting in the way of his connection with God. He wrote that "the increase became my burden." He turned away from his goods and focused on other things. He no longer even wanted more wealth.

This part of Woolman's writing goes beyond just Quaker ideas. It has parts of what it means to be American. Later writers like Henry David Thoreau and Walt Whitman also showed similar ideas. In some ways, Woolman followed the ideas of transcendentalism. This was a belief that people could find truth through nature and their own inner feelings.

Woolman seemed to believe it was important to live simply and not focus on buying and selling. After he decided to give up his wealth, he felt more inspired. He believed he became closer to God.