About 1778 the monthly meeting became more active in regard to its interest in schools, appointing committees to investigate conditions and report the state to its sessions.[668] In 1779 and 1781, there appeared two reports on the condition of the Negroes and their education which are presented in another chapter.[669] In 1782 there likewise appeared a report of the committee on schools in general.[670] This committee, appointed in accord with the suggestions of the yearly meeting, agreed substantially that the best way to the establishment of schools systematically, was to arrange for a subscription which might be applied to that use at the discretion of the monthly meeting. This was to be used for paying the master’s salary, and to educate poor Friends’ children, where it might appear to be of advantage to do so.[671] These suggestions were directed to be copied and put into the hands of the members in each of the preparative meetings.[672] Three months thereafter, the meeting appointed a treasurer for funds and a committee for the oversight of schools, who were to act in general accord with the suggestions made in the first report.[673] The minute of the meeting of that date runs as follows: A form of subscription was proposed which might be entered into by those who desired, and was approved by the meeting and all urged to forward the signing of it.[674] [Sidenote: Qualified teachers scarce] The work thus started was not entirely satisfactory to the committee, however. They report that “the work goes very slowly” and name, as one cause, the great difficulty of getting suitable teachers.[675] Provision seems to have been made for the schooling of poor children, “such as can conveniently be sent.”[676] This reference may mean that all such were schooled who were within reach of a school, or that they sent all for whom they had a sufficient fund. In 1783 they acknowledged the receipt of the most recent advices of the yearly meeting which again recommended the serious subject of schools to their attention. Again in 1792 we find this minute: The subject of schools being now resumed and the several paragraphs contained in the extracts of 1778, 1779 and 1789 being read relative thereto, Friends, of the several preparative meetings are desired to pay close attention to the several repeated advises of the yearly meeting on this important subject.[677] In 1796 the concern of a boarding school, which we have found was also interesting all of the other monthly meetings, in the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, came also to the attention of Chester. They indicated their willingness to coöperate in the scheme by the appointment of a committee, which appears from a minute made in the meeting in 1793. [Sidenote: Subscriptions promoted for boarding school]