Report of quarterly meeting
A committee of the quarterly meeting in 1778 produced a report embodying certain conclusions arrived at, both as to causes of existing evils and the proposed solutions. Only a digest of this report can be given here.[729]
1. We believe it a subject of much importance.
2. Corruptions have been introduced by mingling in outside schools.
3. It is necessary to have schools under masters and mistresses who take care of religious education.
4. We believe it our duty to spread the work through the yearly meeting.
Committee appointed on education
The effect of the yearly and quarterly meetings’ suggestions was the appointment of Samuel Briggs, William Lawrence, Jacob Jones, John Robeson, Samuel Richards, and Daniel Maule to attend to the affairs of education, “as may be opened in the wisdom of truth.”[730] This last may, to our modern way of thinking, suggest rather a blind guidance, but not so to the old time Friends. The report to the quarterly meeting in 1779 does not suggest that any progress has been made, as was desired, save in respect to the masters employed in the schools.
... to attend the ensuing quarterly meeting at Philadelphia, and report, that the ... answers are to be transmitted as nearly our state. That some care has been taken to advise such negroes who have been restored to freedom. That the proposals respecting schools have been under consideration and some essays made by employing masters who are Friends. That small progress has been made as yet in laboring for the pious education of the youth.[731]