Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-10-20
Friends, EIr.l.Day schools.

MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA CONFERENCE, AT
BENNETT SQUARE. ig.s.F-
There was quite large gathering Of Friends
at Kennett Square, on Saturday, the occasion
being the meeting Of the Conference Of the
First-Day schools within the limits Of Philsdel
phia Yearly meeting. The new meeting-house,
which has been occupied but a, few times, YVES
used by the assenblAge and proved to be,qnlte
too email, being crowded 70 it's utmost capacity,
while many persons remained outside
The business commenced at 100 CLOCK, Joseph
I uman, OF Philadelphia and Anne Galley, OF
delaware County, acting As Clerks. 'Ihe reports
from the various Unions, and from scnools NOT
organized in any Union were first presented and
read, occupying the session until lz,oD, miieii
the meeting adjourned for lunoh These reports
indicate that the schools are in satisfactory
condition. and that the movement toward theii
organization is we'll maintained. u Ordinary
schools. mission school, sewing schools, ahd
mothers meeting are in existence, several
of which are newly organized The number OF
members 10 stated to be about 800. e'-,;-''-7
During the presentation of the reports, re-
marks were made by numb.r OF persons. on
the condition, character, and prospects OF the
work.
benjamin Kent, of Goshen, thought the in,
struction to the children should be simple aud
directed to the truths of practical religion.
Clement M, Biddle of Philadelphia, sald ne
did not feel any anxiety for the teachers to be
.,profess ors," and feel too strong an assurance
OF their own competence to Instruct. Let them
be willing to learn He thought the main good
OF the First Day Schools wonld be found III the
Society outside, in the interestlwhIeh they aFak-
ened.
Joseph Truman mentioned an instance, sup
porting this view, of teacher who entered the
work with great hesitancy, and with strong
sense of her deficiency, who is now one oil the
best workers, y
lhos. Il. Seal, Of Unionvile, said that when
persons feel a sincere interest in each other, ,wheh
they experience a love for humanity they are
beginning to be qualified as instructors.
Joseph Truman expressed the rear mat many
movements were made too SLOW, by undue hesr
itaicy, and an exaggerated fear OF going before
the Light" He didn't want to go too fast, bni
regretted going too slow. aud instancen DaVlq
Ferris q valued Quaker preacher who though
under the conviction OF his duty to speak, hesN
itated for twenty years before he began.
BENJAMIN Kent urged all. Of Whatever age. e
Join in the work, and said the call to the young
was precisely the same as to tue olu.
Henry Kent said this was new doctrine among
Friends 1t had been taught from the gallelleH
that those who sat there had special GIT ahe
special preparation for their leadership III @ el
feet, a new birth. He feared tlat there was IL
these meeting too much of figures too muci
cumbering tho work with statistics, instead o
general principles. The children must pc tIane'
in the right DIRECTION. The times abounded II
political and social characterization, and we mus
prepare abetter generation to take our piaSes NE
a j
Springfield meeting was about to be abandoned
there being only two or three attending IL, Whe
one Friend felt impelled to attempt the estaI
lishment Of First Day school, The enort wa
made and proved quite successful; 20 on ~ ~
tended it, and the number present at the regula
meetings had now increased.
Clement NJ Biddle SAID the Society was wee
ded to custom. It's laws might be- broken,; pu
custom never. He argued that all preacm !
good practice, and influence by their exampi.
lie thought that young people might venture
preach more, without waiting for an extraoru
nary and special qualification.
MordeDgi Il. Rartram considerea thah the % o.
aental groundwork of preaching was goo
life, and one OF the best forms OF sermon
the relation how good Il is SO TO hVe' a,
Upon the adjournment at 12.3o, most OF u u
large company repaired, by invitation, 70 u
dinng-room OF s. o. Shortlidge's large scnoo
where an excellent dinner had been provide
for all visitors, by the Friends, at hennett. a,
Upon re-assembling at 2 80, an epistle 70 u
similar Conference, organized within the inll
of Baltimore Yearly Meeting, was read anu q
proved.
The report of the delegates sent by this %
ference to the General, (or National \ oonie n's
ence, which met few weeks ago, at hiennnVs -
Indiana, was presented and appeared ssuSle
tory. The next General Conference is 20 DC nc
at Mt Pleasant, O., inSeptembeft 1879 ,.o
An essay, read at Richmond, which came ~
baltimore Oonference, was read. Its theme "
the Importance Of unity OF purpose among 'ess
ers,
The Executive Committees report was tn.
read. II proposed that the Conference hereaIl "
meet semi i-annually, on the third Seventh "
IN the 4th and 10th month, april and ociope
the Executive Committee to meet quarlerY' Al
After somewhat llengthened discusslon
Recommendation was approved, some memo'
desiring TO meet only once year. The next 9
sion wilt Therefore be heldin Philadeiphla,
April next 81
o. lspIt sts e. ..L!gp 't-I 2A-