The Promise of a School

And that we are soon to have a school I know, because of Jethro's having heard William Penn himself say he counted to have one opened as soon as a building could be provided, and a teacher found for the same.

There was not a lad in the town who did not burn with impatience for the day to come when he could begin to add to his store of knowledge, as would be possible when we had a school in Philadelphia.

It must not be supposed that we were wholly ignorant so far as concerns book-learning, for we had received some instruction in England, and many had been taught by their parents since we came to this country.

My father obliged me to study not less than two hours each day, save when work of considerable importance was to be done, and Jethro had much the same task set him; but what we could learn in such manner was little as compared with that to be gained in a regular school, therefore you may understand how eagerly we looked forward to the fulfillment of William Penn's promise.