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.)
There are quite a number of men, in the brief period studied, who stand
out clearly and express themselves definitely in favor of education,
though they do not consider it the first requisite for a minister of
the gospel.[76] From this number it will be feasible to select only a
few for the chief consideration, relegating the remainder to a place of
comparative unimportance and incidental notice. The work of George Fox,
though he was poorly educated, had a remarkable effect on the educational
work of the society. But it is not necessary to review that in the
present chapter as it has been presented in the first.[77]
By far the most familiar of all characters in Quaker history is that of
William Penn. And to his influence must be attributed largely the hearty
interest in education shown, not only in Philadelphia, but also in the
surrounding communities. He was well educated, but it is not desired
to make a case for or against him on the basis of his education; let
us judge by his written or spoken expression and actual procedure in
practice. No attempt is made to prove or disprove his contentions as
to what was right or wrong, necessary or unnecessary in education. The
questions asked in his case and the others that follow is: What did they
approve or disapprove of in education?
[Sidenote: Penn recommends practical virtues]
Not only in works that might be called strictly educational did Penn give
educational advice, valuable alike to youth and to parents, the directors
of youth. His advice to his children on the value of diligence and its
necessity for success, and the propriety of frugality, even in the homes
of the rich, embodies many of the most essential principles in education
at any time. It is especially applicable to the education of the man of
business, emphasizing the importance of the practical duties in life.
Some pointed statements are especially worthy of repetition.
[Sidenote: Diligence]
[Sidenote: Frugality]
Diligence ... is a discreet and understanding application
of onesself to business; ... it loses not, it conquers
difficulties.... Be busy to a purpose; for a busy man and a
man of business are two different things. Lay your matters and
diligence succeeds them, else pains are lost.... Consider well
your end, suit your means to it, and diligently employ them,
and you will arrive where you would be....[78] Frugality is a
virtue too, and not of little use in life, the better way to
be rich, for it hath less toil and temptation.... I would have
you liberal, but not prodigal; and diligent but not drudging; I
would have you frugal but not sordid.[79]
This bit of philosophy is educational in its bearing in very much the
same way as that of Benjamin Franklin.
In the letters to his wife and children, referring to the care for their
education, he is more specifically concerned with actual school education.
[Sidenote: School education recommended; the useful emphasized]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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