New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-01
QUAKER SCHOOL, METHODS.
CORPORAL PUNISHMENT FOUND UNNECES-
SARY IN DEALING WITH THE LITTLE
FRIENDS"

The gentleness Of the Quakcrs Is shown In their
treatment; Of children. The Quaker baby is born
with an even disposition. seldom. unless he Is
sckly does he get into tartrums or endeavor 20
disturb tho community. TIe Is a quiet. well-behavel
infant with an inherited liking for deccncy and
order As he grows w he becomes like most lads
in his liking for noise ard all the healthy sports
of childhood; vet the life In the home circle to
which he belongs tends TO make him obedient and
manly. He has before him examples of what men
and women should be- FOR In the quaker household
there is no pickering or strife. Husband and wife
are equal rulers OF the same domain The Quaker
mother. for instance, unlike the average woman.
does not say "my children" but "our children
and similarly in everything pertaining to the home
there Is perfect copartnership and equality.
on account OF all these Influences. II may be that
Quaker children do not require the punishment
which many say is absolutely essential in the train
Ing of child.
The Quakcrs like the Unitarians and Universal
tets do no, believe in so-calied Original sin
They believe rather in original goodness The
bridging out Of the good in child Is their aim.
And 50 the QUAKER child is not brough! UP to look
upon himself as a depraved little creature. and he
soon loses all interest in naughtiness.
II has often been told that Quake child Is most
severely punished by being deprived OF the usual
ouokcr form of address. The familiar and tender
",bee" and thou" are not used when talking TO the
offender but the ordinary you" is substituted. The
naughty little Quakeress weeps when she Is called
~ naughty little YOU" The culprit addressed
feels Ike an outcast and pariah and IT is TO this
method OF accommodating. as it were. for time
that the Quakers generally resort when punish
ment becomes necessary.
Professor Allen who is al the head OF the Friends
Seminary OF this city when asked about the punish
mcnt OF children. said that the Quakers never resort
10 corpora, punishment. Even in the case OF the
most refractory OF be - addedthe teacher. Il found
long ago that moral suasion and moral, rather than
physical methods were the more effective II
scholar is inclined be manageable and ll-tem-
persd think that a little mental punishment long
drawn ont will bring him a better state Of mind
and do than can be accomplished by thrash
ing. The latter morthes the offender, and makes MIN
ugly, rcsentful and distTustful OF his Instructor
For instance. II boy disobeys his teacher and
continues to disregard the rules he Is sent 10 me. |
talk with him and make him see now ne should nave
tehaved The following day | Will make him write
out a statement of the case. acknowledging his faults
During thl, time he - practically not one OF the
school family. He attend classes. but he Is not
al active member He presents the statement 10 his
teacher: there Is conference. In which everything IL
The ranks and the matter is never referred again
| consider this method rather good one for during
view his conduct and review IT, and ten to one he will
not offend 50 again =. .
In the Kindergarten Of the seminary. Mrs. Harris,
who is In charge. has about the same methods only
they are adapted to the ages of her pupils If a
scholar s dsagreeable Mrs. Harris simply ignores II,
IL he whispers when he should be quiet, or persists in
him e.f ana not speak 70 any one. IL he Is re-
fractory then-and very few are-she says In "A
sad tone: John James,. YOU may take chair
and si in the other room all alone: want you to
think what you have donT and wi, when you have
have This system of temporary isolation tried upon
them more than once or twice silent communion
with ones self often accompshcs more than lectures
or seedlings from others. according TO Mrs fIarriss
belief.