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Friends United Meeting |
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Quaker Life
October 2002
Why We Need More Quaker Schools
By Wellington Whittlesey
When Quaker schools started, Friends were a congealed body with one ideology, but now, as others are being drawn into the inner circle of faith, we have great divergence—not only regarding the peace testimony, service to the needy and respect for government, but of far greater importance, the "sense of the meeting" (by which I mean to include the idea of the prayer-life which ties us to the immediate guidance of the Holy Spirit as well as the sense of unity one with each other and to God.)
As the public schools came into being, some Quaker Schools gave over their property and permitted their youth to attend the new schools. As time went by, however, the ethical and spiritual emphasis was lost, and children and youth had little to support their home values.
The testimony of a non-Friend, William James, in Varieties of Religious Experience (p. 8) states that ours is "a religion of veracity and spiritual inwardness." This quality can be retained by families who are grounded in Quaker testimonies and queries, but who may not be the majority in our Meetings. Edwin Vail, a member of the Orange Grove Friends Conservative Meeting, and I, a member of the Pasadena Meeting, were both saturated with Friendly persuasion, so both continued in the life of simplicity, truthfulness, respect for all others and self-composure. Others, while official members of these Meetings and thus guided by First Day lessons and Quaker worship, passed on to the ways of the world.
Quaker Schools can and do instill in their membership the life of Jesus as our only way of life. Highest academic achievement is the norm, spiritual sensitivity is imbued and humility is the bent. Every Quaker child should have an opportunity to experience with others this holy way of life.
Let me be specific.
(1) When I was in college, every state and private college or university in America required the reading of WoolmanÕs Journal in their core for Freshmen English; today, most Quaker colleges do not have it even in their syllabi. The Quaker schools, on the other hand, should steep their students in the journals of Friends and teach them to keep journals.
(2) When I attended public school, we were encouraged to have debates and speeches on the merits of pacifism; during and after World War II, students were discouraged from defending the peace testimony. At the same time, Quaker schools held high the words, "Blessed are the peacemakers."
(3) As a child, I revered my fifth and sixth grade teacher for her encyclopedic knowledge, but much more for her grace and humility; today, public school teachers are taught to be proud and authoritative. In Quaker schools, respect and humility is the norm.
(4) Although we had to discover a way to introduce the Bible Club into our secular schools in 1931, not only were we able to do it, but also Thanksgiving and Holy Week were recognized, as were the Jewish holy days. Today, look at newspaper accounts almost every month to see how "separation of church and state" are thought to require disrespect of all that is holy. Quaker schools practice the gathered meeting, lift up the lives of greatness and teach us to read and understand Scripture.
(5) As a boy, I recall that we were required to know the lives of great composers, encouraged to study music, art and speech, to recognize the place of music in our lives. Now, music is being pushed out of public schools to provide a place for the technologies, etc. In Quaker schools, liberal arts are not being replaced.
(6) "Is thy speech always with care for accuracy and kindness?" was common in my youth, and schools tended to encourage our lack of vulgarity. Today, I do not hear this Advice, but do note the taking of the Lord's name in vain all too often. Quaker schools should always build upon the Queries and Advices.
(7) Common decency used to require proper attire and conduct in all places at all times; today, note the lack of either in all places at all times. It is healthy that Quaker schools teach modest wear and gracious demeanor of all their students at all times and in all circumstances.
Although I have touched on but a few of the reasons for the need for more Quaker schools, I have confidence in all who read this that you will suggest many more. The fine schools we have must have our complete support, and we have a stewardship awaiting us to enlarge their number and their influence.
Wellington Whittlesey is Retired President of Theology at St. Petersburg Theological Seminary but continues to serve as Professor of Theology and Chaplain.
Copyright (c) 2002 Friends United Meeting
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