USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > Extracts from the minutes of the yearly meeting of Friends held in Philadelphia, 1921 > Part 5
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$3,237.00
The excess of payments over receipts, amounting to $982, will be balanced by a corresponding increase in the cash deficit, the estimated amount of which at the end of the fiscal year will be $1600, covered by securities valued at $3200.
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $5000 from Yearly Meeting funds, the same amount as was granted last year.
Thus far our report has been confined to facts regarding our schools as they are today. The Committee, however, has a strong concern to lay before you. As an introduction it will be helpful to take a broader view of these schools, the Institution for which you are asked to make this ap- propriation:
Six years ago, in 1915, there were about 282 pupils in our schools. Today there are 408, an increase of 126. The Institution is greater-it reaches a greater number of pupils and families than before. Its enrollment is about double that of Westtown, and, because it touches eight communities, its influence is necessarily extensive.
But this Institution has not developed in size alone. The schools are better than they were six years ago, in equipment, scholastic work and teaching. In spite of competition from up-to-date public schools, they have thrived.
This development may be traced in large degree to two causes, aside from the advantages of Friendly influ- ence and control. Our Superintendents have done splen- did work in raising the standards of the schools and bring- ing in new and better methods. They have stimulated
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a spirit of co-operation and endeavor in the local commit- tees which has been productive of results. Then, too, four years ago, in 1917, a gift of $10,000 was made by anonymous donors to the Committee on Education to be expended both as to principal and interest during the following five years. This gift has enabled the Committee to improve the schools greatly in housing facilities, equip- ment, and in other ways which have proved of great bene- fit. It has made possible many improvements which could not otherwise have been made. The gift, however, will be entirely expended in about a year. The Committee hopes that Friends will bear this on their minds, and that a new Gift Fund may then be available in order that the quality and standing of our schools may be maintained.
We sometimes may wonder whether our schools are worth while. But, when we consider the number of pupils that pass through them in a twenty-year period, we can realize the influence for good which they may have in their communities. The Scripture reading and Bible study, the quiet Friendly influence, the "atmosphere" are often the reasons why children of non-Friends are sent to our schools.
This spring the pupils in the higher grades are preparing essays on Peace in competition for prizes offered by the Peace Committee. The work, which has been entered upon with much interest and vigor, involves much out- side study, thought and writing. Does it not seem likely that such work may have a fruitful influence in later years?
This illustrates what is sometimes called "Our Oppor- tunity in Friends' Schools." We often hear of Quaker outposts in distant places. Our schools are our Quaker outposts at home, quietly spreading the Quaker message of Peace and Christian Brotherhood among children at the impressionable age when the foundations of character are laid. It requires time, labor, money, enthusiasm and prayerful interest on the part of our committees and meetings to make full use of this opportunity, but we must not turn aside from it.
Our concern is that this Yearly Meeting should appre-
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ciate fully this opportunity-that each member may have a part in making our schools worthy places of growth, not only from a mental and physical, but especially from a spiritual point of view. After all, is not one of our greatest joys and privileges the opportunity to help in the develop- ment of the children of our generation who are the poten- tial message-bearers of tomorrow? Is it not, therefore, most important that they be properly equipped for the task?
Our young men and women may well feel that here in our schools lies a real opportunity for religious service; that teaching, while not as spectacular, is as worthy of their mettle as the great Reconstruction and Relief work which has called forth the consecrated energy of many.
We are urged in the Book of Discipline to consider the proper education of our children, " not merely as a matter of temporal convenience and accommodation, but as it really is, a religious concern, of primary obligation."
This Committee asks you to see to it that our schools retain their place as a primary obligation in these days of many other interests. We ask that Friends come forward as teachers in the future, and that individuals and local meetings give their unstinted financial and moral support so that our schools will continue to grow and through the lives of succeeding generations help to spread the message of Christ among men.
CLEMENT B. WEBSTER, Chairman, pro tem.
ELIZABETH HOWELL BACON, Secretary.
PHILADELPHIA, Third Month 18, 1921.
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REPORT
OF THE COMMITTEE HAVING CARE OF THE INDIAN SCHOOL
AT TUNESASSA.
To the Yearly Meeting:
The Indian Committee has encouraging things to re- port this year.
The number of pupils at the School has been about fifty, coming from five reservations. This number fills our present accommodations.
The Commencement exercises were held on Sixth Month 16th, with a very helpful address by Davis H. Forsythe. As none of the pupils had completed the re- quired courses, no diplomas were granted.
On this occasion a concern felt for some time by inter- ested Friends of Tunesassa that help might be given by the Indians, took definite shape in the formation of the Tunesassa Association. The membership consists of old scholars of Tunesassa, interested Indians and friends who have been or are now identified with the management of the School. Several of the Indians spoke of the useful- ness of the work Friends are doing and of their desire to co-operate. Officers were chosen, and it is expected that financial assistance as well as moral support will result from this interesting organization.
We are very glad to report that the health of the school family has been very good throughout the year.
On Ninth Month 1, 1920, our friends, William B. and Mary H. Rhoads, completed their duties as Superintend- ent and Matron, having occupied those positions nearly four years.
During their term of service the cottage occupied by Henry B. and Eliza Leeds was built, the new heating and electric systems were installed, and many useful and necessary changes and improvements were made to the
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buildings and equipment. The farm is in excellent condi- tion. It is due that the Yearly Meeting know of the very valuable and efficient service rendered by these Friends,, whose responsibilities were increased by our restricted financial condition and the advanced cost of maintenance.
Henry B. Leeds and Marianna Foster succeeded Wil- liam B. and Mary H. Rhoads as Superintendent and Ma- tron, and John E. Lippincott is serving as Farmer, Henry B. Leeds being relieved of this portion of the usual duties of Superintendent in order that he may continue his Christian labors on-the Reservation.
The addition of a third teacher has greatly strength- ened the academic work of the School. This seems neces- sary if our pupils who intend to go to Public High Schools are to be prepared to take the New York State Regents Examination.
The boys' dormitory was on the third floor of the main building until last summer, when a new room was fitted up for this purpose over the school-room. This has brought the boys' sleeping quarters to the second story, lessened the fire danger and released the third floor for girls' lock- ers, for storage and for other purposes.
During the years that Friends have labored for the Indians of Western New York, there have been many Indians who have become attached to Friends and to Friendly ways. One of the most devoted of these was Lydia Pierce, at one time a pupil at the School, and ever its earnest champion. As the result of her wish to join our Society she became a member of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting in the autumn of 1920. Her failing health prompt- ed Friends to bring her to Philadelphia for hospital treat- ment and a surgical operation, from which she did not recover. The authorities of the Pennsylvania Hospital have testified to her unusual Christian fortitude and char- acter and to the beautiful influence which she exerted over those with whom she was brought into close associa- tion.
The Indian Committee has, perhaps, given more than the customary attention during the last year to the prob- lem before the Yearly Meeting with respect to its duties
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and opportunity in connection with the Indians of Western New York. Prior to our last Yearly Meeting a small Committee was asked to give special consideration to the various problems. This Committee held many meet- ings and some of its members visited the School several times to gain first-hand information for its guidance.
Visits to the School and Reservations, however, have not been confined to this Committee, as many visits have been made during the past year by members of the Indian Committee. Several other interested Friends have also paid visits.
Here it may be well to state again the location of this Indian mission which has so long claimed the attention of the Yearly Meeting, and also to state some of the prob- lems that confront the Indians.
The School draws its pupils largely from three Reser- vations-the Alleghany, stretching in a great curve about forty miles along the Alleghany River from a point a few miles west of Olean, N. Y., to near the Pennsylvania line; the Cattaraugus, about forty miles northwest of the Alle- ghany and extending to the shores of Lake Erie and Corn- planter, a wild and picturesque square mile in Pennsyl- vania, south of the Alleghany Reservation and just west of the Alleghany River.
There are in all on the three Reservations about 2400 Indians, of whom over 900 are minors. Our property lies " adjacent to the Alleghany Reservation, near its southern end, south of the Alleghany River, and near Quaker Bridge Station. The School and farm buildings stand in the valley of the Tunesassa Creek, with rugged hills in the background. It is a beautiful spot.
Here are centred our labors, the influences of which have gone out for many years to the Indians of Western New York.
It is still to a large degree a primitive country. A few of the. Indians have well-tilled farms and comfortable homes-the great majority of them barely have the ne- cessities of life and very few of its amenities. Largely influenced by the Conservative or old party Indians, the Reservations still exist, the land is held in common, sub-
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ject to tribal rights, they pay no taxes, and they do not have the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship.
These conditions probably cannot continue many years longer. The best friends of the Indians and some of their own leaders are pressing for the breaking up of the Reser- vations, the division of the land, and the assumption of civic duties and responsibilities.
Until these changes come the Indians need our help. When the changes do come they will need it more than they do now. They will need help in adjusting themselves to their new duties as citizens, in establishing their own schools and churches and their other institutions.
The sub-committee has these matters in mind in making investigations.
From its report we quote as follows:
"One of the first matters which claimed our attention was the possibility of obtaining financial aid from the State of New York. It was intimated that such aid might be secured, but, desirable as it might be from the purely financial side, since it would mean more or less official supervision and the possible lack of co-operation in carry- ing out the religious concern which should ever be the motive behind all of our activities, the Committee has not felt prepared to recommend the solicitation of State aid.
" Another matter which has claimed consideration is the desirability of encouraging and aiding the education of some of the more intelligent and promising young In- dians in the hope that they may become leaders among their own people. The good influences started in the School need to be continued in higher schools than ours and we feel that the financial assistance in securing such educa- tion at Institutions like Hampton Institute and Henry Roe Cloud's school at Wichita, Kansas, might properly be considered a part of the work of the Indian Committee.
" The matter of better dormitory accommodations has also claimed our careful consideration.
"All of those best qualified to speak on the technical side of education, who have visited the School, advise that
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small rooms are desirable for both girls and boys to pro- mote the best and most healthful living conditions. We accept the advice of educators and believe that the erec- tion of two dormitories, one on the west side of the School building for girls and one on the east side for boys, would greatly promote the efficiency and progress of the School."
The Committee therefore makes the following recom- mendations :
Ist .- That no effort be made at this time to secure State financial aid.
2nd .- That the Indian Committee endeavor to pro- mote the advanced education of a few Indians with the aim of helping them to become leaders of their people, and that funds of the Committee be used, if necessary, for this purpose.
3rd .- That we look forward when funds are available to the building of two dormitories, one for girls and one for boys-the one for girls probably to be built first.
There are many claims upon Friends today-both financial and personal. Large unexpected fields of ser- vice have been opened to us. We should not shrink from them. Neither, we believe, should we be hasty in leaving fields where real service has been performed and where the needs are still insistent.
Our field is not a large one, but it offers to us a definite concrete problem of educational and Christian work among 2400 Indians who have looked to us for aid for many years. They want our School, they believe in us and they want our help. . Many of them have attended church nowhere else and they look upon it with something of the same affection and appreciation as many of us do upon our own Alma Mater.
Great sums of money are not needed and could not be judiciously spent if at hand. But more money is needed than is now available to carry on the work in a manner creditable to our Friendly standards.
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Our present resources are about as follows :
Yearly Meeting Appropriation . . . $ 4,000.00 Income from Investments and Trust Funds. 2,000.00
Average amount of contributions from interested Friends for four years past 6,000.00
Total. $12,000.00
To maintain the School and work at its present size, which is probably about the right size, to make the needed repairs and improvements, we estimate that $15,000 per annum are needed, or $3,000 more than our present re- sources. This does not include the cost of any new build- ings or additions, which would have to be provided for otherwise.
The Committee, in response to the request made a year ago, has endeavored to state the case frankly to the Year- ly Meeting. It does not feel free to ask the Yearly Meeting to increase the regular appropriations, but it believes the better way is to solicit each year from interested Friends the necessary funds to conduct the work.
We therefore ask the Yearly Meeting for the usual appropriation of $4000. We also ask the Yearly Meeting to approve of the recommendations of this report.
In closing, we desire to make known to the Yearly Meet- ing the splendid spirit of co-operation and earnestness which characterize the devoted band who are conducting the work at the School and who are also extending Christ- ian influences on the Reservation.
These Christian influences, we believe, are making their impress on the life of the community.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
RECEIPTS.
Balance on hand Second Month 29, 192 I $ 544.30 Appropriation of Yearly Meeting 4,000.00
Income from Investments and Trust Funds. 1,294.1I
Amount carried forward $5,838.41
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Amount brought forward . $5,838.41 Income from T. Wistar Brown Teachers' Fund . 675.00 Donations. 5,406.92
Farm and Dairy, including Farm Produce used in the Family 8,180.27
Temporary Loans 4,050.00
Interest on Deposit Account 13.74
Miscellaneous 210.33
$24,374.67
PAYMENTS.
Salaries . $ 4,138.73
Farm and Dairy
7,875.26
Family Expenses, including Farm Produce used. in Family. 4,5.12.00
Books and School Supplies 155.52
Heat, Light and Water 1,832.89
Printing and Stationery . 107.93
Repairs and Improvements
1,565.16
Insurance 407.18
Taxes .
103.43
Traveling expenses
297.15
Loans Repaid
1,400.00
Interest on Loans.
1 90.82
Incidentals. 176.03
Balance on Hand Third Month 14th
1,612.57
$24,374.67 NOTE-The amount of loans owing by the Committee is $4500.
By direction and on behalf of the Committee.
WM. C. COWPERTHWAITE,
Clerk.
PHILADELPHIA, Third Month 15, 1921.
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REPORT
OF THE COMMITTEE HAVING CHARGE OF THE BOARDING SCHOOL AT WESTTOWN FOR THE YEAR 1920-1921.
To the Yearly Meeting :-
The total enrollment for the year at Westtown including the few day pupils in the lower school is 238: 119 boys and 119 girls. Of these, 100 are new. The acceptance of applicants, both old and new, was made with rather more than ordinary care in selection, and we have reason to believe that this care is producing an excellent effect, as shown in the improved morale of the student body. This applies, not only to conduct, but to studies, as well, for there is a distinct gain among students who last year were indifferent as to the quality of their work. Proficiency in athletics frequently accompanies mental ability, the school work of the boys most prominent on the soccer field and basket ball team fully equaling or surpassing that of other students.
The Committee on Trees and Grounds has used a car- load of native rhododendron and also mountain laurel as foundation planting around the main buildings. The appearance of the new houses occupied by Dean Stanton and Clifford Otis has been improved by the planting of evergreens and flowering shrubs. All this has been made possible by special contributions for the purpose.
The new home for the business manager, and one small farm dwelling have been built since our last report. Two much-needed buildings-a dormitory for the girls, and a gymnasium for the boys-await erection in more propi- tious times.
The report of the Farm Committee and that of the Orcharding Department, being primarily of a financial nature, are included in the Treasurer's statement.
The changes made in the buildings a year-and-a-half
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ago, as to living arrangements, have been fully justified by the results. The extension of the heating system throughout the building has not simply secured greater comfort, but has effected a much fuller use of the upstairs rooms, breaking up materially the former congestion on the lower floor, and making the life of the School more homelike and less institutional. The health of the pupils during the winter term has been noticeably better than for some years past, and it seems fair to attribute the greater freedom from colds, at least in part, to the more even temperature prevailing throughout class rooms and living quarters. The Stone House makes an ideal dormi- tory for younger boys, and we feel that their manner of living, and the oversight and attention given them, are an invaluable improvement over previous years.
The arrangement by which a larger number of men may have accommodations in or adjacent to the dormitories, and the addition of younger men who are in closer contact with the life of the boys, has produced a much closer co- operation between faculty and student body, with a resultant good spirit and fellowship. A large degree of personal and school responsibility has been evident, and problems sometimes present have failed to develop, be- cause of the existence of a positive school spirit and an active public conscience.
We welcome the genuine interest of the Young Friends' Committee. Under the auspices of their sub-committee on Westtown, an excellent vocational week-end con- ference has been held, comprising meetings for the boys and girls, both jointly and separately, on subjects largely of their own choosing, and covering a discussion of several important careers. The speakers at this conference in- cluded Dr. Mary Anna Taylor, Dr. James A. Babbitt, Frederic J. Libby, Wm. J. Reagan, Emmor Roberts and Gilbert A. Beaver. Members of the Young Friends' Committee have themselves addressed the students in evening collections, and have been instrumental in taking other people to the school for this purpose. The co-opera- tion of this earnest body of young people in Westtown's efforts to set high standards before her children, is much appreciated by the Committee.
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An increasing concern is felt among those resident at the school, for the welfare of the people in our employ, and steps are taken from time to time to give them wholesome pleasure. For several years they have enjoyed a Christmas dinner, as close as practicable to Christmas day, and a different, but equally appropriate entertain- ment, during the summer vacation. On these occasions approximately 150 people participate. It is understood that they are welcome at lectures given at the School, but very few avail themselves of this opportunity, and it is becoming more customary to plan special events for their benefit, or to assist them in working up entertainments of their own. There is great need for a community centre, where they and others in the neighborhood would go more freely, and it is thought possibly that something of the kind may be developed, either through the building of a new public school house (to replace one recently destroyed by fire) or on our own premises. This sense of responsibility for the happiness and uplift of those who render us valuable service, also finds expression in invitations to groups of the women employees to spend an occasional evening with some members of the School's household staff, and in attempts (not yet wholly successful) to in- clude children of the farm tenants in the Bible classes held at the Stone House.
The School has suffered a heavy and unexpected loss in the recent death of Walter H. Wood, who was Head of the Department of Mathematics. After a brief illness of two days, following a paralytic stroke, he passed away on Third Month 22nd, just after School had closed for the spring vacation.
A teacher of many years' experience, of scholarly ability and attainments, with wide human interests, and a faith- ful minister of the Gospel, he had filled a large and useful place in the Westtown community, and by his kindly Christian traits of character had endeared himself to all.
We believe that our scholastic standards are well main- tained. As the necessary changes in the faculty occur from year to year, an attempt is made to bring in teachers of experience, who possess the teaching gift. These efforts
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are usually successful. Under sympathetic and skilful teaching, though with rather exacting requirements, with wide opportunities for intellectual pursuits outside the class room, and with the privilege of listening to many lectures and addresses from real leaders in the world's thought and activities, we feel that the Westtown students have excellent opportunity for intellectual awakening and development. Though the course of study is sufficiently broad to meet the needs of nearly all the pupils, whether preparing for college or not, every encouragement is offered to those who might profit by attending college to do so. It is interesting to note that this number is steadily increasing; of former Westtown students 145 are now continuing their education in 42 different colleges and universities. In the college entrance examinations held last summer, our pupils met with creditable success, as compared with those from other schools. Our percentage of success at Haverford was 93, as compared with an aver- age percentage from all schools of 75; in the comprehensive examinations of the College Entrance Board, 55 per cent. of the papers from all schools were successful, Westtown's percentage being 62; in the ordinary examination of the College Board, the percentage of success for all schools was 59, while ours was 91.
The lecture course has included addresses from Norman Angell, Donald B. MacMillan, arctic explorer, Lincoln Steffens, Herbert Adams Gibbons, of Princeton, and Enos A. Mills. The class of 1914 has offered a prize in books to be given to the student who, in the judgment of the faculty, has pursued the most useful course in reading other than required throughout the year. The library has recently added to its shelves a number of books for the departments of Agriculture and Domestic Science.
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