A Portraiture of Quakerism, Volume 3: Taken from a View of the Education and Discipline, Social Manners, Civil and Political Economy, Religious Principles and Character, of the Society of FriendsClarkson, Thomas
Religion
A Portraiture of Quakerism, Volume 3: Taken from a View of the Education and Discipline, Social Manners, Civil and Political Economy, Religious Principles and Character, of the Society of Friends
Clarkson, Thomas
Society of Friends
With respect to that part of education which may consist of knowledge
as it is literary or philosophical, I conceive it might be attended with
advantage to carry it to a greater extent than has hitherto been
practised in the society, but particularly the latter. Nothing is so
delightful to youth as experimental philosophy, by which they see the
causes of things unfolded to their view. No science takes their
attention more, or inclines them, in the farther pursuit of it, to be
satisfied with home. And yet I doubt whether this branch of learning be
not almost wholly neglected in the Quaker schools. The education which
is received in the society, as it consists of the two kinds of knowledge
described, is not, in my apprehension, carried far enough, so as to suit
the peculiar situation of the children of the rich. These are they, who
are most in danger. These are they, who, having the prospect of wealth
before them, have the prospect of being able to procure destructive
pleasures. These are they, who, having the prospect of independence, do
not fear the opinion of the world or the loss of reputation in it, like
those, who have their livelihood to obtain by their own industry. Now it
should be the particular object of the education of these, as indeed it
should be of all rich persons, so to instruct them, that, while they are
obliged to live in the world, they may be enabled to live out of it, or
deny it; so that, when seated amidst its corrupt opinions, amusements,
and fashions, they should estimate them as below their notice, and as
utterly unworthy of their countenance and support.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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