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Preface
Contents
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
Chapter IX
Chapter X
Chapter XI
Chapter XII
Chapter XIII
Appendix

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“The property has since been further examined by many Friends and highly approved. It includes more than 75 acres of good land, in grass and under the plough, and in garden ground, is remarkably well watered, and not deficient in wood. The dwelling house and buildings generally are substantial, and adjoin the Friends Meeting House. They will require comparatively little alteration or addition to accommodate a considerable school. The price agreed to be paid for the whole is based upon valuations made by experienced land agents, without reference to the intended appropriation.

“Friends more immediately interested having proceeded so far, brought the subject very fully before Durham Quarterly Meeting, held at Darlington on the 6th instant, when the undertaking was recognised by that meeting, under a very united feeling, with much desire for its prosperity and the divine blessing upon it.

“The Meeting appointed Trustees and accepted the superintending care, leaving to the succeeding General Meetings and their Committees the more immediate arranging and future conducting of the establishment.

Thus enabled to make a commencement, the attention of Friends was turned to the district to be included; so large a portion of the funds having been subscribed by a Friend at a distance, and expectations being entertained of additions from others similarly circumstanced, the Members of Durham Quarterly Meeting did not feel justified in appropriating to the children under their more immediate care the whole benefit of the foundation, and concluded that, should there be vacancies after providing for those of their own Quarterly Meeting and the districts North of, and not embraced by Rawdon or Penketh, the School should be considered open to any others, when duly recommended, wherever their residence. From the Monthly Meetings in Cumberland, Northumberland, Westmoreland, and Scotland; also those of Lancaster and Guisbro’; it is intended to invite representatives to the General Meeting, but not to the prevention of any member of our Society taking part in such Meeting; and further, that the bill of admission be fixed for children from all parts of the kingdom, and of all ages and classed at one price, subject, however, to a deduction in proportion to the amount of subscriptions from the Monthly Meeting recommending.

“Having traced the progress of the North of England Agricultural School to its present position, we may now state that a Master and Mistress have been appointed, and that it is concluded to open it for the reception of about 30 boys and 20 girls, as soon as the other needful arrangements can be made. The hints and assistance of Friends generally are solicited. It is supposed that in addition to the sum of £1,500, required to complete the purchase, at least as much .more will be needed for alterations, furniture and farm stock. Towards these amounts we have to report the annexed subscriptions, and would venture to solicit the Members of our Society in other parts of the Kingdom, for such pecuniary aid as their interests in so important an undertaking may dictate. It is evident that upon the generosity of Friends the Committee must, to a considerable extent, rely for the means to receive pupils of the class contemplated, upon terms as low as the circumstances of their parents generally call for. The view of Friends is to embrace what may be termed the labouring classes of those who are in any way connected with our Society; combining labour with learning in perhaps a greater degree than is the case at any of our Schools, Brookfield (Ireland) excepted.

It is proposed that their food, clothing and accommodation altogether shall be marked by the utmost frugality and simplicity consistent with health and comfort; the object is to induce habits of personal industry, and to fit the young people of both sexes to be useful and happy in those circles in which an unerring Creator has placed them, rather than to prompt them to aspire after more elevated walks of life; at the same time they would give an education upon which, as a basis, a valuable superstructure can be formed, and from which they may rise, according as Divine Providence may have fitted them, for other and more enlarged spheres of action.

“The Committee, regarding a really religious education as of inestimable value, are especially anxious that in the commencement and carrying forward of the School, nothing may at any time be taught at variance with the blessed truths of revealed religion, as declared in Holy Scripture; or (as connected therewith) the Christian views and testimonies maintained by our Society from the beginning, and illustrated in the volume of “Rules of Discipline and Advices,” revised and published by the Yearly Meeting of London, 1833. They believe that the great doctrines of the Gospel of Peace are by no people more comprehensively hell, and by none viewed in a light more calculated to promote present happiness and eternal peace; and would therefore consider that it will be a duty and a privilege to have all the children committed to their care educated IN ALL RESPECTS AS FRIENDS”.

 ISAAC SHARP, SECRETARY.
Darlington, 4th cm., 29th, 1841.

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