Early Quaker education in PennsylvaniaWoody, Thomas
History
Early Quaker education in Pennsylvania
Woody, Thomas
Education -- Pennsylvania -- History; Society of Friends -- Education -- History; Thesis (Ph. D.)
However auspicious may have been the opportunity for attempts to plant
slavery on the soil of Pennsylvania, it was neither destined to meet
unqualified success nor to pass without rigorous opposition. The German
population from the very outset, as we have already stated, was hostile
to the idea of slavery.[1156] Likewise, the Quakers were dominated by
men who believed that slavery had no justification, and throughout their
lives were actuated by this belief. Brief mention may be made of three of
these leaders, sufficient at least to indicate their viewpoint and the
remedy which they advocated.
[Sidenote: George Fox]
[Sidenote: Pleads for education of Negro and Indian]
George Fox, their revered founder, was quite naturally referred to in
matters of importance and far reaching consequence. Through the influence
of his ministry, the doctrine of the freedom of all men and of inherent
rights, which they possessed by virtue of being men, came to be accepted
in the church organization, and was published in the discipline and
various letters of that body.[1157] These acts of the church organization
will be dealt with presently. Fox defends his position mainly on the
religious basis; it is quite likely that a religious training and
education is uppermost in his mind throughout his plea for the Negro. He
does not limit himself to their case, but insists, also, on the education
of the Indian natives. The education (religious) which he specifically
mentions, is for the purpose of their salvation, but the attention of
Quakers was not limited to that alone. Religious education did, however,
receive their first consideration. The essence of Fox’s influential
utterances on this subject is contained in the following extract.
And, also, you must instruct and teach your Indians and
Negroes, and all others, how that Christ, by the grace of God,
tasted death for every man and gave himself a ransom for all
men to be testified in due time; and is the propitiation not
only for the sins of Christians, but for the sins of the whole
world; and that He doth enlighten every man that cometh into
the world, with His true light, which is the life in Christ by
Whom the world was made.[1158]
[Sidenote: John Woolman]
[Sidenote: His sermons, tracts, etc.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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