John Woolman

John Woolman was born the October 19th 1720 and deceased the October 7th 1772. It was a Prédicateur itinerant Quaker, travelling in the North-American colonies, preaching against the Conscription, the military Impôts, and the Esclavage.

Biography

Youth

John Woolman was born in a family from peasants Quakers in the New Jersey.

In its newspaper he tells an event which marked a turning in its life. Still child, it killed by play a mother robin. Touched by the remorses, he thinks of small which will not be able to survive without her. He makes fall the nest and as kills them, thinking as it is the best thing to be made. This experiment marked it and consequently he liked and protected any living being.

At the 23 years age, its employer asks him to write a sale contract concerning a Esclave. He affirms whereas the Esclavage is contrary with the Christian religion . Many Amis (it is the name which the Quakers give each other) condemned slavery, but it was not the case of all and some remained indifferent.

Ministry

John Woolman decided to leave to far for preaching. In 1746 it covered more than 200 kilometers in three months, until in North Carolina. He preached on many topics, of which the Esclavage.

Working in the interpersonal plan, without seeking confrontation, he manages to convince of many Quakers owners of slaves. He makes any possible sound not to use the products of the Esclavage, choosing his clothes or insistent to pay the slaves for their work when he is received by an owner. He passes from a Assemblée of Friends to the other, and little by little of the formal decisions are taken which condemn slavery.

It is only in 1790, after the death of Woolman, that the religious Société of the Friends is addressed to the Congrès of the United States to require the Abolition of slavery.

In addition to the question of slavery, Woolman also put others in practice testimonys of the Company of the Friends. It chooses a simple lifestyle and protests against the war. It goes as far as refusing to pay the taxes supporting the warlike effort.

Its Journal is regarded as an important document on the spiritual level (it appears in the Harvard Classics).

End-of-life

Woolman goes to England in 1772, he travels in the most economic class and spends more time with the crew than with the other passengers. He takes part in the Annual meeting of London, which he convinces to take position against slavery. Then it goes to York where it dies of the Variole the October 7th 1772.

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