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
The Quakers, again, have opportunities or advantages, which others have
not, in another point of view. In the great public seminary at Ackworth,
which belongs to them, and which is principally for those who are of the
poor and middle classes, every thing is under the inspection and
guidance of committees, which can watch and enforce an observance of any
rules that may be prescribed. Why then, if public seminaries were
instituted for the reception of the children of the rich, or if the rich
were to give encouragement to large private seminaries for the same
purposes, should they not be placed under the visiting discipline of the
society? Why should they not be placed under the care of committees
also? Why should not these committees see that the two great objects of
the education proposed were going on at the same time, or that, while
knowledge was obtaining, discipline had not been relaxed. Why should not
such seminaries produce future Penns, and Barclays, and others, who,
while they were men capable of deep literary researches, should be
exemplary for their virtue?
As knowledge then ought to form a part of the proposed education, on a
much larger scale than has been hitherto encouraged, I shall say a few
words as to the component parts of it, and as to the general advantages
of these, and I shall afterwards speak to the advantages which the
society in particular would derive from such a change.
In the education I propose, I do not mean, in the slightest manner, to
break in upon the moral system of the Quakers, as described in the first
volume. I do not propose to them the polite arts. I do not recommend
them to make children musicians, or that they should learn, under the
dancing-master, to step gracefully. I advise only such knowledge as will
be strictly innocent and useful.
In the first place, I recommend a better classical education. Classical
knowledge gives the foundation both of particular and universal grammar.
While it gives the acquisition of the dead languages, it is the root,
and thereforce facilitates the acquisition of many of the living. As
most of the technical terms in the professions and sciences are borrowed
from these languages, it renders them easily understood. The study of
the structure and combination of words and sentences calls forth the
reflecting powers of youth, and expands their genius. It leads to
penetration and judgement. It induces habits of diligence and patience.
By means of this knowledge we have access to the sacred writings in the
languages in which they were written, and we are therefore not liable to
be imposed upon, for the sense of them, by others. We become acquainted
also, by means of it, with the sentiments and knowledge of the ancients.
We see their thoughts and expressions. We acquire a literary taste.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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