Power of Truth ~ John Woolman

"My mind, through the power of Truth, was in a good degree weaned from the desire of outward greatness, and I was learning to be content with real conveniences that were not costly; so that a way of life free from much entanglements appeared best for me, though the income was small... I saw that a humble man with the blessing of the Lord, might live on a little; and that where the heart was set on greatness success in business did not satisfy the craving; but that commonly with an increase of wealth, the desire for wealth increased."

 ~ John Woolman

I was reminded of this quote by a visit to the thought provoking blog ~  Transition Quaker

More at  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Woolman

Artwork from Emily K Armstrong   http://emilykarmstrong.wordpress.com/category/uncategorized/

Tenderness Toward All Creatures ~ John Woolman

"Where the love of God is verily perfected and the true spirit of government watchfully attended to, a tenderness toward all creatures made subject to us will be experienced, and a care felt in us that we do not lessen that sweetness of life in the animal creation which the great Creator intends for them."

"Be careful that the love of gain draw us not into any business which may weaken our love of our Heavenly Father, or bring unnecessary trouble to any of His creatures."

John Woolman

Free e-book kindle edition copy of John Woolman's Journal at http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/37311

Artwork ~ "The Peaceable Kingdom" by Quaker artist Fritz Eichenberg, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fritz_Eichenberg
The illustration suggested by Friend Michelle Everett Wilbert http://closetotheroot.blogspot.co.uk/

On John Woolman ~ Sterling Olmstead

"What I see Woolman offering to the spiritual seeker is a detailed report of his own search, which shows a coherent and balanced pattern in which inner and outer are connected in life and practice. He shows us how to carry the motions of love we feel into the workings of the world. He does not withdraw from that world, nor does he become so fixated on results that he tramples over others, and he does what he does by addressing the witness in others. This is a pattern which is valuable for our own journey, and which can bring us close to the experience of seekers in other traditions."

Sterling Olmstead

More at  http://www.quaker.org/pamphlets/phd/php312_jr.html

Universal Love ~ John Woolman

"Our gracious Creator cares and provides for all his creatures. His tender mercies are over all his works and so far as true love influences our minds, so far we become interested in his workmanship and feel a desire to make use of every opportunity to lessen the distresses of the afflicted and to increase the happiness of the creation.  Here we have the prospect of one common interest from which our own is inseparable, that to turn all we possess into the channel of universal love becomes the business of our lives."

 ~ John Woolman

More at https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=John_Woolman

Artwork from Jenny Tylden-Wright

Simplicity of Truth ~ John Woolman

"I find that to be a fool as to worldly wisdom, and to commit my cause to God, not fearing to offend men, who take offence at the simplicity of truth, is the only way to remain unmoved at the sentiments of others".

~ John Woolman

More at   http://gatheringinlight.com/2010/07/04/john-woolman-is-dead/

Artwork from Eric Fitch Dalglish https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Fitch_Daglish