Although there was a building on the grounds of the Eighth Street meetinghouse that Cincinnati Friends thought they might use as a schoolhouse, that option was never exercised. Indeed, as A Circular on Education published by Indiana Yearly Meeting acknowledged, “The period of ‘Monthly Meeting Schools’ for the education of our children has given place to the era of a well organized system of public instruction, under the control of the State. The watchful care of the Church is still needed; but it must now take a very different form from that of twenty-five years ago.”
In 1882, about one fourth of the members of Indiana Yearly Meeting (which then encompassed Cincinnati Friends Meeting) were between the ages of 6 and 21, and the circular encouraged Quakers to fully participate in the public education system:
Education, in its broad sense, includes a great deal more than schooling. It includes the drawing out of the complete manhood and womanhood—physical, intellectual, and spiritual. … We rely upon the schools to do a very important part of the work—but the public schools belong to us, as citizens; and we should labor for their improvement, by taking an interest in school elections, teachers’ associations, etc. In many cases, the laws requiring attendance at schools may be enforced with very beneficial results.
Beyond the classroom, Friends were advised to read books and periodicals, attend lectures, visit museums, and establish literary societies for “supplying a social need and developing a readiness among our young people to stand before an audience, and to express themselves with clearness and composure,” although they were also warned that “care should be taken to avoid whatever would lead to the excesses of dramatic entertainments.”
The study of natural history and science was particularly encouraged. “A local museum of Natural History may become very instructive to visitors, who there find many illustrations of the Creator’s wisdom,” advised the circular. “But to those who are engaged in preparing, arranging, and labeling the specimens, the work is particularly instructive. … The collection of plants, insects, and shells may be especially recommended. Those who learn to prepare the skins or skeletons of birds and mammals, can furnish their houses with beautiful and instructive ornaments.”
Nevertheless, Friends were reminded that their pursuit of knowledge should not interfere with their religious duties. “One day in seven is specially set apart for rest and for those exercises which contribute to our spiritual growth,” noted the circular. “Books of science, history, fiction, etc., of purely secular character, should never be allowed to trespass upon the hours designed for higher purposes.” Yet even in Bible study, there was greater emphasis on rigorous analysis rather than mere reading.
Cincinnati Friends embraced these ideas with gusto. As early as 1874, a committee was appointed to “have the care of intellectual and social meetings for the improvement of our members, if way opens for holding such gatherings.” Way did indeed open, and over the years the meetinghouse hosted lectures on a wide variety of subjects, from “Birds” (presented by Frank W. Langdon, author of numerous books on Cincinnati fauna) to “The X-Ray” (presented by the meeting’s own Dr. William J. Taylor).
The young adults in the meeting were particularly eager to participate in these undertakings. In 1899, the young men formed the Shipley Literary Society, named for Murray Shipley and dedicated to “aid in the dissemination of knowledge among its members.” Not to be outdone, the following month the young women announced the organization of the Mary Anthony Society, named for the wife of Christopher Anthony.
The first semi-annual public meeting of the Shipley Literary Society offered a wide-ranging program of events:
Notwithstanding the disagreeable weather, the meeting house was taxed to its capacity. The house was tastefully decorated with the colors of the society, which stood out in pleasant contrast with the palms and potted plants, which helped to make up the decoration.
The program was as follows: Scripture reading from the 8th chapter of Proverbs by John C. Naegle, followed with prayer by J. Lindley Spicer. President Frank. R. Gusweiler delivered the address of the evening and was roundly applauded for his effort. Following was a most interesting and instructive address on “Self Education” by Caleb W. Shipley. In conclusion Mr. Shipley, on behalf of Murray Shipley’s family, presented the society with an exquisite portrait of the late Murray Shipley. The beautiful and greatly desired present was formally accepted by our president.
[An orchestral] selection was then rendered by the Gusweiler Bros., which was followed with the debate of the evening, “Resolved, That Capital Punishment be Abolished.” Jos. G. Gusweiler and Erwin J. Schmick defended the affirmative while A. W. McLaren and Leslie F. Kephart [sic] looked after the negative side. The judges were Robt. B. Henley, O.F. Dwyer and E.V. Hall. The debaters acquitted themselves with credit. Another selection was rendered, after which the judges reported. The concluding number was a well-rendered recitation from “Ben-Hur,” by Walter P. Schmick.
The Mary Anthony Society likewise offered its own presentations, including a rather dramatic lecture on the Middle East by J. Lindley Spicer, then a minister at the meeting:
[Spicer] opened his lecture by reading the prayer of Israel and illustrating their forms of worship by means of implements which he had carefully gathered for the past seven or eight years, including the ram’s horn. Four Biblical characters were illustrated in costume—the shepherd boy, represented by Miss Annie Williams; Bedouin sheik, by Ruth Woolman; Mt. Lebanon Princess by Miss Maude VanDervort, and Turkish woman by Mrs. C. W. Newkirk. Among the curiosities which Mr. Spicer exhibited in connection with his lecture was an alabaster box, a stone from the Dead Sea, the crown of thorns, etc.
In addition to hosting these local activities, the meeting encouraged studies further afield as well. It provided financial support not only to the recently founded Wilmington College, but also to Southland College, an institute of higher education for African Americans started by Quakers in Arkansas.
Cincinnati Friends also offered monetary assistance to one young woman to help her pursue her dream: “Ruth Woolman, a member of this Meeting, desiring to qualify herself for teaching and having been granted a scholarship at Bryn-Mawr College, this Meeting think it proper to aid her by granting her $150…the same to be repaid when her circumstances will permit.” Thomas J. Kiphart was likewise sent as a representative of the meeting to attend the Bible Institute at Earlham College, and a donation was allocated “for the schooling of a Japanese girl at Earlham College.”
