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ferent neighborhoods, and observing and comparing the different methods of management.

The Conferences of Teachers, School Committees, and others, for a number of years held during the winter season at Fifteenth and Race streets, Philadelphia, seem to be an important part of our educational work, and have the . encouragement of a large attendance at each meeting. The essays read and the views expressed at these times by thoughtful and concerned teachers and Friends are, doubtless, often as seed sown on good soil, and exert a quiet though potent influence for good. Three were held during the past winter.

There are thirty-seven Schools within the limits of this Yearly Meeting under the care of Monthly or Preparative Meetings. These have been attended during the past year by 3062 pupils, 679 of whom are inembers, and 386 having one parent a member; of these Schools, II are not graded, and have but one teacher each, with an average of 23 pupils. 8 of the graded schools have an average attendance of 50 pupils with two teachers each. The other 18 have three or more teachers.

Visits to the Schools show that whilst the average of the teaching is good, the best results are not always obtained, and that greater efforts should be made to provide competent teachers for all of our Schools, and especially for the younger children.

It is a matter of concern with many that something should be done looking to the establishment among Friends of a training school for those of our members who con

template teaching, in order that they may understand the science and art of education, the nature of mental and moral development, and what constitutes a guarded religious education as contemplated by our discipline. As a recent writer says, "Good buildings, good furniture, and good books go for next to nothing if there is not good instruction and training."

A want is also seen in the lack of an organized associated effort on the part of our teachers to secure the benefit of cooperation, in an endeavor to improve themselves and their schools. It is believed that measures should be taken to supply the want.

Whilst it has not been our custom to notice individual Schools, we feel like making an exception in the case of the one at Millville, Pa., which was re-organized under the care of this Committee about two years ago. It has now an attendance of 81 pupils, 21 of whom are members and 39 having one parent a member. There is no other Friends' School within the limits of Fishing Creek HalfYear's Meeting, and it affords the only opportunity for the children of Friends to secure a good common-school education near their homes. It is under the care of competent teachers, and we are satisfied it is well worthy the support of Friends and of the fostering care of the Yearly Meeting.

In visiting the Schools and in mingling with Friends we are more and more impressed with the advantages that must accrue to our children from their mingling together in their places of learning under the care of intelligent and concerned teachers in sympathy with us, and with this feeling

we should be incited to greater efforts to make our Schools in all respects equal to what may reasonably be expected of them.

We have drawn orders on the Treasurer of the Yearly Meeting to the amount of $2,271.06, in the payment of expenses and aid to Schools.

On behalf of the Committee,

Fifth month 14th, 1888.

WM. WADE GRISCOM, Clerk.

Then adjourned until 10 o'clock to-morrow morning.

Eighteenth of the Month and Sixth of the Week.

The names and addresses of Friends reported as Correspondents for subordinate Meetings, were directed to be entered on the minutes, and published with the extracts.

The Committee on the subject of the Education of the Colored People of the South produced a report, which was read and accepted, without adopting the recommendation thereof. The committee was continued, and encouraged to labor as Divine Wisdom may direct, with authority to draw on the Treasurer for necessary expenses.

For report see page 70.

The following report was read and approved, the committee is continued, and encouraged to pursue its labors as Truth may open the way, with authority to draw on the Treasurer for necessary expenses.

REPORT OF The Committee to Visit AND ENCOURAGE OUR MEMBERS.

To the Yearly Meeting:

The Committee appointed "to visit the branches of our Yearly Meeting, and encourage Friends in the more faithful attention to the requirements of our Discipline and upholding and sustaining the testimonies of our Religious Society,"

Report-That they have several times met and thoughtfully considered the weighty subject committed to them; way seemed to open for the appointment of sub-committees to labor in most of the Quarterly Meetings; these were appointed and have very generally attended to the duties assigned them.

In Southern Quarterly Meeting, three of the Quarterly Meetings, with several of the Particular Meetings, and a number of the families, were visited.

In the Sixth month, a portion of the Committee visited nearly all of the families belonging to Fishing Creek HalfYear's Meeting, and held some appointed meetings; also attended the Half-Year's Meeting and the Youths' Meeting. There was much tenderness of feeling manifested by

these isolated Friends, and a cordial greeting extended to those visiting them.

In the Seventh month nearly all of the families composing Caln Quarter were visited, and afterward meetings at Sadsbury, Bart, and Bradford were attended.

The Quarterly Meetings of Burlington, Salem, Haddonfield, and Bucks were reported as visited by members of the Committee at different times, and in some of the Meetings composing them, extended labor was given.

Our expenses for the year have been $6142, for which orders have been drawn on the treasurer of the Yearly Meeting. On behalf of the Committee.

Fifth month 14th, 1888.

ISAAC EYRE,

JANE D. SATTERTHWAIT.

The Committee to take into consideration the condition of our absent members in their isolated homes, presented the following report, which was read and united with, and the committee continued. It is authorized to communicate with Committees of other Yearly Meetings, in reference to perfecting a complete list of isolated members, and to extend to such members as way may open, aid and encouragement in maintaining their ground as Friends, and in looking forward to gathering themselves together in religious

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