The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-06-11
THE FRIENDS.
Fun Report Of saturday's Prooeedinea

among whom was John q. Whittier.
The committee entrusted with the care of the
New England Yearly Meeting Boarding. School
at Providence, presented the Gath annual re-
port, which was accepted
The report shows the institution TO be in
prosperous condition, and that it has been
quietly but efficiently continuing its good work
of qualifying the young to occupy positions of
usefulness, both in the world and in the church.
The pupils number 30 boys, and IS girls. For
the past four years the school has been under
the charge of Augustine Jones and an efficient
corps of assistants.
The following donations have been received
the past year. From Hannah j. Bailey of
Winthrop, Me, 81 ,150 for purchase of engrav
ings and works Of ars; from James III. Chase of
Rhode Island, $500 for like purpose; from Ro-
land Hazard, 500 for purchase of books for
library.
There have been several improvements in
the building. The exterior of the old portion
has been thoroughly renovated, and new boil.
ers, etc, pat into the laundry at cost Of $500,
friend of the institution donating $1,Gc0 to-
wards paying the expense of the same The
school has been remarkably free from serious
sickness, though sickness was very prevalent
in the neighborhood. The Elizabeth Frye
fund. $4,000, has been satisfactorily invested
and is yielding handsome income. The lis'ssof
officers remains the same with the exception of
few minor changes. The total receipts are
S4S, 44460; total expenditures SAT ,74i.2S, leav-
ing balance of S7Co.S2.
The continued care of the institution was in
trust to the same committee. with the excep-
ton of Abby S. Battep, deceased, rnd David s.
Wood, who has removed beyond the limits of
this Yearly Meeting,
Mary Ii. Rodgers, a minister from Kansas
Yearly Meeting, now in attendance aJ this
meeting. produced satisfactory credentials from
the society at her home.
The report of the educational committee was
read and accepted. The same committee was
continued for the ensuing year. The report
stated that the educational association OF
Friends has arranged for a national education
al conference of Friends at Earlham College
Richmond, Indiana, the last tbree days of this
month. Reference was made to the destruc
ton by fire of Oak Grove seminary at vassa
boro.
Previous to the reading of these reports the
matter of having them read in joint session
was considered. but decided that the usual
course should be pursued.
Obadiah Chase and VIM. Foster Mitchell ex-
pressed their qualification at the evidence of
material pre- sperity Of the Providence school,
and their appreciation of the efficiency of the
school committee, 1t is matter for ceugratula
tionlto all this blessing of so excellent school,
VIM. Foster Mitchell added, however, that he
would have been pleased to see greater promi-
nence given to the religious work, and not let
sight be lost of the principles of the fathers.
Augustine Jones, principal of the school, de-
tailed somewhat the work of the institution,
stating that although the religious part had no
reached the point which we have hoped il
would, yet he believed none could visit there
and fail to see that this essential matter is not
neglected. He said he had been anxious him.
self. and would welcome light to show him how
more can be accomplished ia this respect with
out running into ritualsm. in order TO incal-
cato the principles of Qaakerism. 1t must be
considered, he continued, that a'large numter
the charge of proselyting would be embarrass
ing.
Luke Woodland sympathized with VIM.
Mitchell, while understanding the difficulties
of the principal. He had faith in the influence
of example and Christian walk, rather than
precept. When the need that those who are
employed there should be- thoroughly indcc-
trinated with the principles of the society la,
been recognized, he believed much will have
been accomplished.
VIM. Thompson mentioned having attended
several meetings where he had the pleasure of
seeing graduates of tine Providence school who
had their first religious impulse given them
while attending the school.
Eli Jones thought Goa did move upon the
hearts of people in connection with this insti-
tuition. He spoke Of his fifty years acqusint-
ance with it. Knew how it was then how il
is now. He had felt the greatest interest in
the religious work Of the school. In view of
the needs of the society and the country, he be-
lieved that the institution should be Supported
Many not Friends perceive the advantage Of
the school to. them and to their children. He
knew lady, an Episcopaian, who brought
her daughter all the way from Iowa to place
her in the Providence school. This lady had
formerly attended the school and wished her
daughter to have the same advantages. He
did not have highopinion Of the boast, so fre
queBtly heard, that We are not proselyting
people. with the result Of nearly dying cut.
The thing is not to proselyte but to ground
them In the principles Of tbs society. No bet
ter provision can be made for the incoming
tide of immigration than by fostering our re-
ligious and educational institutions.
Isaac Sharp of England, dwelt upon the ne
cessity of keeping watch upon spiritual devel-
opment.
Alex. III. Purdy held the opinion that
Friends were incliued to depend too much up
ON the schools fer work that should be done in
the homes. Not SO much depends upon teach
ers IS upon the previous experience of scholars.
He believed QuakeFsm to be an exper ence
rather than theory. We need in our
families to show by orr walk, trust and faith
that we have the light in our souls, and then
We need not fear for the QGakerism when
they enter the school. Another point Of i'm
portance is that wealthy Friends who have
not children be recommended to send the
children Of poor Friends to such schools. A
case in mind illustrating the benefit of such
action is the following: daughter OF poor
Friends was thus provided with an education,
and now, woman grown, is a physician in
London hospital. She freqrently speaks OF
her grateful remembrance of her beDefactors.
II we but do such deeds as these, our old age
will have food for pleasant contemplation.
Henry T. Wood believed that he commit
tee who will have charge Of the school win
agree with the points advanced by the princi-
pal in the discussion. While we can truly say
we do no proselytiDg, we can also say that the
principles of the society are not lost sight Of.
Had been much gratifed by the evidence of
great religious growth in the school, and be-
lieved it to be deep and abiding. He was
satisfied that in the principal they had one to
whom this department was very dear. In
stances OF his devotion had touched all hearts.
John Garland advocated giving the pupils
the clear teachings Of the Bible as we under
stand it.
j. Warren Hawkes. stated that he had
visited this Yearly Meeting year after year
without inclination to speak upon the topic be-
fore. The privilege enjoyed on visit TO the
sceeol on a recent Sabbath impressed him that
great improvement had taken place in the
ALI 49, q H.