Quaker Heritage Press >
Online Texts >
The Old Discipline >
Schools
SCHOOLS
The education of our youth in piety and virtue, and giving
them useful learning under the tuition of religious prudent
persons, having for many years engaged the solid attention of
this meeting, and advices thereon having been from time to time
issued to the several subordinate meetings; it is renewedly
desired, that quarterly, monthly and preparative meetings may be
excited to proper exertions for the institution and support of
schools; there being but little doubt, that as Friends are
united, and cherish a disposition of liberality for the
assistance of each other in this important work, they will be
enabled to make such provision for the accommodation and
residence of a teacher, with a family, as would be an
encouragement to well qualified persons to engage in this arduous
employment: for want of which it has been observed, that children
have been committed to the care of transient persons, of doubtful
character, and sometimes of very corrupt minds, by whose bad
example and influence, they have been betrayed into principles
and habits which have had an injurious effect on them in more
advanced life. It is therefore indispensably incumbent on us to
guard them against this danger, and procure such tutors of our
own religious persuasion, as are not only capable of instructing
them in useful learning, to fit them for the business of this
life, but to train them in the knowledge of their duty to God and
one towards another. It is therefore proposed; First. That a lot
of ground be provided in each monthly or preparative meeting,
sufficient for a garden, orchard, grass for a cow, &c. and a
suitable house erected thereon.
Second. That funds be raised by contribution, bequests, &c.
in each meeting; the interest of which to be applied either in
aid of the tutors salary or lessening the expense of Friends in
straitened circumstances, in the education of their children.
Third. That a committee be appointed in each monthly or
preparative meeting, to have the care of schools and the funds
for their support, and that no tutor be employed but with their
consent.
Although the raising a sufficiency to answer those purposes
may in some places appear difficult, yet as improvements of this
kind are generally gradual and have often arisen from small
beginnings into very valuable establishments, it is desired that
Friends may be encouraged thereto, and keeping an eye to the
divine blessing on their benevolent endeavours, make such essay
for carrying into effect these recommendations as they may be
enabled. -- 1746, 1750, 1778 to 1787.