of Ed._, 1871, p.

362.] [Footnote 2: Wickersham, _History of Education in Pennsylvania_, p.
248.] To meet this need the Society set the example of maintaining catechetical lectures for Negroes in St.Peter's and Christ Church of Philadelphia, during the incumbency of Dr.Jennings from 1742 to 1762.
William Sturgeon, a student of Yale, selected to do this work, was sent to London for ordination and placed in charge in 1747.[1] In this position Rev.Mr.Sturgeon remained nineteen years, rendering such satisfactory services in the teaching of Negroes that he deserves to be recorded as one of the first benefactors of the Negro race.
[Footnote 1: _Ibid_., p.

241.] Antedating this movement in Pennsylvania were the efforts of Reverend Dr.Thomas Bray.

In 1696 he was sent to Maryland by the Bishop of London on an ecclesiastical mission to do what he could toward the conversion of adult Negroes and the education of their children.[1] Bray's most influential supporter was M.D'Alone, the private secretary of King William.

D'Alone gave for the maintenance of the cause a fund, the proceeds of which were first used for the employment of colored catechists, and later for the support of the Thomas Bray Mission after the catechists had failed to give satisfaction.