Joseph Swonk

The purity and innocence of John Woolman's Journal is inspiring. His honesty in confessing his sins and how life's experiences helped him evolve into a kind and sensitive person are truly memorable. He set the pattern in this work for better considerations of the American Indian and the Negro slaves. He also was a pacifist, objecting to the French and Indian Wars. HIs humility and compassion and the clear way he describes his evolution to the humane person he became are clearly expressed and deeply inspiring. His work was applauded by such writers as Coleridge and Emerson. And Ben Franklin admired the work, he was the first to publish it. Posted by Joseph Swonk, Associate Professor of Literature, retired.