John Woolman’s Argument Against Slavery 2 Essay, Research Paper

In Some Considerations on the Keeping of Negroes, John Woolman clearly expresses his opposition to slavery. The writer stresses the theme of equality and the universal human experience. He writes of a brotherhood that binds all creatures, regardless of color. Woolman expresses a “do unto others” philosophy throughout his work, and makes an argument that slavery is a contradiction of religion. He supports this argument with frequent biblical references. These biblical references, which fill both Woolman’s Some Considerations on the Keeping of Negroes, make clear this apparent contradiction.

Woolman realizes the controversial nature of his arguments. After all, the keeping of slaves was an accepted and common practice, even among his Quaker Friends. In order to combat this, he is careful not to admonish too harshly, as evident in his introduction to Some Considerations on the Keeping of Negroes. In a subtle yet effective manner, Woolman invites reflection. In the last paragraph of his introduction, on page 631 in The Heath Anthology, Woolman admits that he writes “with reluctance” on the issue, offering “hints” written intentionally “in as general terms as my

[Woolman's] concern would allow.” He makes a deliberate choice “to avoid being very

particular,” and lays blame upon no one.

Instead, Woolman addresses his readers, presumably the white slave-owning population, collectively. Throughout the piece, he refers to his audience using words such as “we” or “us.” One such example of Woolman’s tendency to not “point fingers,” if you will, lies on page 633. Here, Woolman writes, ” if we continue in the world of Christ and our conduct towards them be seasoned with his love, we may hope to see the good effect of it ” This passage makes heavy use of collective language, suggesting unity and togetherness. The use of this language and his refusal to admonish or lay blame lends credence to Woolman’s argument.

John Woolman also fills his argument with a theme of unity among all creatures. He speaks of a “general brotherhood” and on page 632 he references a passage from Genesis 3:20 to further this idea, “When we remember that all nations are of one blood; that in this world we are but sojourners; that we are subject to the like afflictions and infirmities of body, the like disorders and frailties in mind, the like temptations, the same death and the same judgment.” He writes of these shared human experiences to illustrate this “general brotherhood” among creatures, and that all humans are “sons of one father,” and equals in the eyes of God. On page 633 this theme continues, with Woolman writing, “We shall then consider mankind as brethren.”

To explain his position on slavery, John Woolman cites the Golden Rule. Variations on this adage appear throughout the text. On page 631, the reader finds the first such occurrence. Woolman suggests, ” not to do that to another which (in like circumstances) we would not have done unto us ” The writer, on page 634, quotes a passage from the book of Leviticus, “If a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye shall not vex him; but the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be as one born amongst you, and thou shalt love him as thyself.”

On page 634, he cites a passage by Quaker writer Alexander Arscott. In his Considerations, Part III, Arscott writes, “I take it that all men by nature are equally entitled to the equality of this rule and under the indispensable obligations of it.” This usage adds support to Woolman’s argument.

John Woolman uses the “do unto others” philosophy to highlight the seemingly contradictory relationship between biblical teachings and slavery. By owning slaves, this principle is not being followed. He first mentions the possible contradiction in his in his introduction, gently suggesting “serious consideration” of the issue. On page 633, Woolman is more succinct. “Again, to conclude a people froward, perverse, and worse by nature than others (who ungratefully receive favours and apply them to bad ends), this will excite a behavior toward them unbecoming the excellence of true religion.”

He asks a rhetorical question on page 634, which also makes clear that slavery is not consistent with Christian faith. “How should I approve of this conduct were I in his circumstances and he in mine?” “Continuing the oppression” of slaves, Woolman

elaborates, is “not be doing as we would be done by.” Plainly stated, this is an obvious contradiction to Christian teachings.

John Woolman makes a strong case for the abolition of slavery on Some Considerations on the Keeping of Negroes. Beginning subtly, and being admittedly vague in his description, Woolman outlines his beliefs, using biblical passages to further illustrate his points. Woolman conveys a sense of unity among all creatures, black or white, by listing universal human experiences. He also makes strong use of the Golden Rule. This “do unto others” principle occurs many times in Woolman’s work, and it is through that he explains the contradiction between slavery and Christianity.