Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1867-1875

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Lea's Mill, 5th month 30th 1867

The Association met here the 8th time, - a smaller company than usual, only 8 members being present, and one guest. The absentees were C. Chandlee, C. Scott, R. E. Gilpin, M. W. Kirk and H. J. Moore.

After a considerable time spent in pleasant conversation, and in watching the interesting operation of hiving a swarm of bees, - the usual routine commenced. The minutes were read, and

1 M. Farquhar read a good little piece of poetry, - "Trust and Rest".

2 S. H. Stone, another poem, "The Inebriate's Wife", being the imagined musings of a drunkard's wife while waiting his late return at night.

3 M. L. Roberts, a letter from Dorothea Dix, in which complimentary mention is made of the inhabitants of Sandy Spring.

4 E. D. Bentley, Lecture by Frothingham on the Education of Woman, condeming the difference which is usually made between her education and that of man. As the same kind of food is suitable to nourish the bodies of both, so ought the minds of both to be cultivated & fed with equal care.

Sally Needles, a guest, being called on, spoke of a letter of Bayard Taylor's from England, in which he tells of the differences of climate there and here. There, early in the spring, vegetation is much more forward than with us, but at the end of spring, and beginning of summer, our's is much in advance.

5 J. Porter, "Two old women" a little piece of verse with a moral, - and recipe for Cherry marmalade.

6 E. G. Thomas, two pieces of poetry, "Your Mission", & "The Cruise that faileth not".

7 L. G. Thomas, "The little Blind Boy", some verses professing to be by himself.

8th B. I. Lea, The Earthquake Zone; being a statement that all serious earthquakes occur within a belt around the earth of 3 degrees, or less, and citing numerous examples in corroboration.

Adjourned to Fair Hill next month.

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Fair Hill, 6th mo'th 27th, 1867

The first meeting of the Association at the home of its new member was attended by all the members except 2, C. Chandlee, & B. I. Lea, - and by many guests. Some members were a few minutes late in arriving, but the reading commenced near the usual time. After the minutes were read L. G. Thomas was the first called, but she gave us nothing.

2nd E. G. Thomas, "Doing good by Proxy" - a good article, recommending that we should not remain contented with merely giving, but should take active trouble to relieve want and suffering.

3rd M. M. Miller, no contribution - R. E. Gilpin ditto, & S. H. Stone also.

4th E. D. Bentley (by proxy) "The Death of Slavery", a poem by Bryant.

5th H. J. Moore, a pretty piece of poetry called The Waiting Angels," also a recipe for cake.

6th M.L. Roberts, "The Women Clerks of Washington" - the injustice of their receiving for the same service a less salary than men.

7th C. Scott, a good article "on Contentment".

8th M. W. Kirk recited those fine lines by Eliz'th Lloyd, professing to be by Milton, on his loss of sight.

9th C. H. Miller, being requested, read to us "Dr Doddridge's Dream", in which he seemed to be in the future world, surveying his past life in the shape of pictures on the wall.

10th M. Farquhar had left her selection at home, so had nothing to read, but gave a description of two patent churrs she lately examined, the "Tingley", and the "Tibbitt" - , preferring the latter, except that it was too small.

Adjourned to White Cottage next month

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White Cottage, July 25th 1867

The Association held its 7th and probably last meeting at this place, as our hosts will have moved into their new abode before their turn comes again. 5 members were absent, namely E. D. Bentley, C. Chandlee, B. I. Lea, S. H. Stone and C. Scott, but there were guests in their places and our company was very pleasant.

The reading commenced about the usual time - first the minutes and then M. Farquhar read some extracts from Alger's book on Solitude, including a sketch of the life of Blanco White.

2. M. L. Roberts read a description of the Second Empire hotel in Paris - a miniature city in itself with 700 rooms and regularly numbered, named & lighted passages to represent the streets, etc.

3. M. W. Kirk, a piece of poetry "Below and Above" contrasting Earth and Heaven.

4. R. E. Gilpin, "Ice Morsels" -- a description of Mont Blanc.

5. L. G. Thomas, "Companionship", dwelling on the importance of our selecting the companions for our children, or guiding their selection, in books, as well as persons.

6. J. Porter, poetry, "As thy day so shall thy strength be"-- and recipe for keeping Tomatoes.

7 H. J. Moore, More about the Women Clerks of Washington, -- this time not pleading for them, but asserting that there are among them incompetent ones, thro' favor, holding places, and receiving salaries for unperformed duties, which indigent and capable men have applied for in vain.

E. G. Thomas and M. M. Miller failed to bring any contribution.

Adjourned to Sherwood next time.

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Sherwood 8th month 28th 1867

The meeting of the Association today, the 9th at this place, was attended by 9 members and 4 or 5 guests. The absentees were B. I. Lea, M. M. Miller, C. Scott and L. G. Thomas. The resignation of C. Chandlee, whose health has prevented her from attending our meetings for a long time, was announced and acquiesed in.

About the usual time the minutes were read and contributions called for:

1. E. D. Bentley read part of "A Talk to Mothers", an article of some length, dwelling earnestly on the duties of mothers in training their children, and giving much good advice.

2. R. E. Gilpin finished the same.

3. M. L. Roberts asked whether Lima beans were much better dried green than when allowed to dry themselves on the vine? Decided not. She also read some directions for the management of flowers, which it was requested should be here recorded, as follows;

Chinese Wisteria - train'd to a pole 8 or 10 feet high, and kept well cut back, will bloom in succession during the summer.

Dielytra. Cuttings of the young shoots taken in the spring, will bloom late in the summer. Divide the roots in the spring to increase the stock.

To prevent the white scale in Oleanders and other plants, mix powdered sulphur with the earth.

In making compost for flowers mix the sand and manure well together before the loam is added.

4. S. H. Stone "The little Jealousies of Life" -- a good selection.

5 H. J. Moore, the number 7 - how often it occurs in the Bible.

Ann Marshall, being asked for a contribution, offered a commentary on the text, "Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, herein is Father glorified, in that ye bear much fruit."

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6. J. Porter, A chapter of excellent advice, headed "Don't run in Debt."

7. M. W. Kirk "Good Humor", a moral story defining and illustrating that excellent quality -- and 2 questions. 1st how to save Tomato seed -- put the pulp in a cup till it ferments then wash out the seed. 2nd how to save green peppers for pickles? -- Put them in brine.

8. M. Farquhar, A fine piece of poetry by "Florence Percy" called "Summer Days", showing the advantages of carrying youthful feeling into old age.

Adjourned to Propsect Hill

Prospect Hill, 9th month 26th, 1867

The Association held its 6th meeting at this place this afternoon. All the members were present except two, M. L. Roberts, and E. D. Bentley, who were absent from the neighborhood. C. Chandlee & her friend E. Baynes were with us as guests, -- and several young people.

After the minutes M. Farquhar read from a number of the Living Age an article called "Life". The successful persons in the world, & the popular, are generally those who have this quality in an eminent degree. We call it vitality, -- vivacity - vivaciousness.

2. B. I. Lea, "If we knew" a good and pretty piece of poetry, read now the second time.

3. L. G. Thomas, A description of the Ant-Lion, and its manuvers to secure its prey - with an application to vice seizing upon unwary youth.

4. M. W. Kirk, two of Mrs Howorth's poems, both very good, namely "Among the Graves" -- and "Thou wilt never grow old."

5. H. G. Moore "The Early Dead" by C. Burleigh, a fine piece of poetry.

6. J. Porter "The Flowers of God" - also poetry.