A social meeting of OWW & others, at which the School was present, was held up School on March 20, on the subject of the School mission.
The Dean was in the chair. The purport of his speech was as follows:- “a mission would will benefit the School by introducing an interest, now generally felt, in our inferiors in social position Arnold , Maurice, Hughes, Kingsley & others, had worked hard to introduce this interest into the Public Schools; and since their time most of the Great Schools had started missions of their own: in such efforts Westminster should not be backward. By ? a mission we should have the satisfaction of not being distanced by the Schools & would be awarded by the gratitude of those we benefited” The Dean then read the First Resolution: “that the school would undertake some mission work, & assisstance of OWW be invited.
This resolution was moved by Lord Devon, and seconded by Sir J. Mowbray, the 2 oldest Westminsters present.
The Headmaster produced statistics about former collections, etc, and the mission aid fund of £300. Mr. Mark Love the treasurer of the fund, followed with the statement that a balance of £40.15 was in his hands.
Sir Patrick Colquhoun, who voted against the resolution, said that he hoped the boys were not intended to visit the houses of those to whom the mission was sent. The Dean quited his fears.
The motion was then put & carried.
Lord Stalbridge then spoke & moved the resolution that a committee be formed to consider the question of site, and administer funds”
Archdeacon Farrar seconded with an interesting speech & the resolution was carried.
T.W. Wheeler esq proposed the following gentleman: Rev B. Darley, Rev. H. Barnes, G. Lavie esq, H. G. Rawson esq.
Mr Wheeler’s name was added.
L. James & C. Erskine was added to represent Oxford OWW & H. Smyth & C. Batten for Cambridge.
Also W. A. Peck & F. D. Higgins for London OWW.
Messrs, Edgell, Marklove, Raynor & Heard were elected to represent the masters.
The captain, monitors & Heads of Houses, & the Ex officio members.
A note of thanks to the Dean was proposed by the Lavie & seconded by Lord Devon.
The Dean having returned thanks, the proceedings terminated. There were not very many people present, owing to the illuminate weather.