Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-10-16
FOURTH EDITION.
First-Day ScnOoI Conference.

MEETING AT THE WEST STREET HOUSE, THIS MORN
IHG-LARGE ATTENDANCE BUSINESS DISPOSED
OF.
The semi annual Conference of Friends First
Day Schools within the limits Of Philadelphia
Yearly Meeting met in the West street
meetipg-house at 10 o'clock, this morn
ing. There WAS large attendance,
including many persons from Philadelphia,
New Jersey and elsewhere, Notwithstanding the
rainy morning. Joseph M. Truman and Anne
Galley, the Clerks of the Conference, conducted
the business. Reports from the several Quar-
terly Unions composing the Conference were re-
ceived and read, and numerous Friends COM
mented upon them, as the topics suggested in
each appeared to suggest.
Among those who spoke during the session
were Benjamin Kent, of Chester county Allen
Flitcraft, OF Philadelphia William Lloyd, of
Bucks county Samuel Swain, of Bristol, Pa,
VIM. ii. England, of this city; Louisa j..
Roberts, and Clement Nj. Bdde, OF Philadel-
phia. The last named held that the mission Of
the First-day was, not to teach Friends how to
live out Of the world, but how to live in the
world, and of the world, but avoiding the evil
that s i'll it. A number of those in the meet
ing said they agreed with this Louisa j..
Roberts spoke feelingly OF the loss, in Whining
ton meeting, Of two Of its oldest and most re-
spected members. She referred to Iiba Ferris
as model to us ALL in the brightness, energy,
and cheerfulness OF his character. Jos. Nj.
Truman spoke in similar strain, alludlng, not
only. to Ziba Ferris and Samuel Wollaston, but
to the deaths of other valued members-includ-
ing Clarkson Taylor, Joseph Bancroft, and Jesse
Hallowell. DR.. Edwin Russell, of Media, also
spoke to similar effect.
Upon the report of Philadelphia Union, there
were numerous remarks. Asahei Troth, How
ard Roberts, Wm. Lloyd, and JOS M. Truman
all folt that the old and young should join in
the First-dsy school. At Race st. meeting, the
Bible class has Joined the general school.
This was commended. All the schools of the
Union and in hourishing condition. and many
new pupils have been added. Salem Union
made an inter esting report which called out re-
marks by Louisa J. Roberts, Allen Flitcraft, and
others. Concord Union report spoke OF the
duty Of parents to be what they wish their chill
dren to be. Joel Sharpness spoke Of the dis
couragement of the Middletown school, which
could not obtain teachers Several speakers
expressed their sympathy with the case. Had
donfeld, N. j., report spoke Of the good results
of Bible reading in families, and OF sitting to-
gether. at meetings.
Burlington, N. j., Union reported 0 schools,
one new one having been organized. The Union
has been in existence five years, and its benefits
are apparent, the meetings continually increas-
ing in size. Bucks, Pa, Union reported II
schools, in healthy condition and showing "vi-
tality, healtn and harmony" There is an in
creasing interest shown among the young peo-
ple Byberry School, (Philadelphia,) re-
ported slight increase Of membership. Ply
mouth, (Montg. Co., Pa school reported gem
orally good meetings, and a new library needed.
Upper Dublin school, in the same county, report
ed 8 teachers, and an average attendance of 20,
and that the religious meetings have been great
ly increased since the school has been establish
ed There is no Quarterly Union in the coun
ty for the school to join, Fishing Creek school,
Q4ycoming Co., Pa.,) reported 16 teachers, 70
children, and rs adults, with an average attend
ance of S5 The attendance Of relig-
ious meetings has increased. The
clerk, on reading the report, remarked that this
was one of the largest schools in the Confer
ence. Penns Manor school, Bucks Co., Pa,
reported teachers and an average attendance
Of A. The Union of Western Quarter made no
report Pennsgrove, (Chester COZ reported
that only Bible class was now maintained, which
met at the close of the religious meeting.
Upon calling the roll of delegates, 62 appeared
to be present. The Conference, at 1245 ad-
inurned to q O'clock.