Closely associated with this philanthropic work, though done, for the 

 most, quite informally, is the care which the community takes of its 

 poor and unfortunate. No one living within the bounds of the neigh- 

 borhood is knowingly suffered to be in want. This does not apply 

 only to the members of the Meeting but to all, white and colored alike. 

 This is a well established practice, which permits the one in need to 

 accept help as readily as it is offered \^ithout loss of self-respect. As 

 regards the negroes, this attitude of helpfulness has always expressed 

 itself in very j^ractical ways. Since the members of the Meeting first 

 manumitted their slaves and declared themselves committed to freedom 

 from bondage and equal opportunity for all, they and their descendents 

 have encouraged the colored churches, supported the schools and as- 

 sisted the negroes to reach and maintain a condition of economic 

 independence. 



The main school of the neighborhood is admirably adapted for the 

 needs of country life. We may anticipate the discussion of educational 

 conditions in the county sufficiently to sketch the main characteristics 

 of the school at Sandy Spring. It is the outgrowth of a long established 

 Friend's school, taken over by the county some years ago. The old 

 building was enlarged and remodeled. It is now a modern rural school 



SANDY SPRING HIGH SCHOOL 

 62 



