John Woolman sauntered down the aisle between rows of merchandise in his store in Mt. Holly, New Jersey. He noted the fine linens, dainty lace, velvet ribbons, shimmering satins, and colorful taffeta goods wealthy women sought for their gowns. Stockings, bonnets, and shoes occupied shelf space, as well. His apprentice sat near the window sewing trousers cut from gray worsted wool.

He shook his head. I sell so much that serves chiefly to please vain people. I do not feel easy to trade in those items.

That night, John said to his wife, Sarah, “The way is open, I know, for a large business, but I do not wish to be cumbered with such. The Bible says, ‘Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth.’ I can see, Sarah, that luxury and extravagance are replacing the simplicity of daily living. I pity the man weighed down with worldly possessions.”

The increase in business continued to burden John. Later he wrote in his journal, For though my natural inclination was toward merchandise, yet I believed truth required me to live more free from outward cumbers. In this exercise, my prayers were put up to the Lord, who graciously heard me, and gave me a heart resigned to his holy will.

“Sarah, I have decided to give up merchandising and continue only my tailoring trade. We have learned to be content with a plain way of living.”

He wrote in his journal, Though trading in things useful is an honest employ, they who apply to merchandise for a living have great need to be well experienced in that precept which the Prophet Jeremiah laid down for his scribe: “Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not.”

In 1756 John directed his customers to other shops as he turned away from merchandising. From that time forward, he tended his apple orchard and traveled widely in itinerant Quaker ministry.

Story based on The Journal of John Woolman and A Plea for the Poor, the John Greenleaf Whittier Text Edition.