Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1867-1875

101

Sunset 6th mo 25th 1874.

Anna Hartshorne being unable to receive us this month we were invited to meet here being the 4th meeting at this place. Several of our members were absent, only 13 attending - but several guests contributed to our entertainment. After the reading of the minutes; M. L. Roberts being first in order: read a chapter regarding the Swedenborgen views on the future state; some of which are beautiful.

2 S. Stone. "The voice of the earth," on being the wailing of the wind, over the woes of man

H. J. Moore, read part of essay, written by

E. Woolstone, a graduate of Swarthmore, subject "Pioners" also the "valedictory" by the same.

M. S. Hallowell, thought she had discovered the cause of the failure in churning. "the cows had not been regularly salted."

R. E. Gilpin gave us an article on the treatment of English children", containing some good hints which might be followed in this country

E. D. Bentley gave us an article "What is success?" Success is not to be measured by external appearance, or by the money a man may make, Every man who does his duty in the love of God is a successful man.

102

M. Farquhar read part of a letter from A. G. Riddell - also one from M. Sandidge speaking of the devastating flood in Louisiana

M. Needles (a guest) related an anecdote and gave good advice "The present time only is ours and we should never put off until the morrow that which should be done today.

C. B. Scott, L. G. Thomas, M. M. Miller, S. Porter, E. G. Thomas and Annie Gilpin had nothing of a literary character to offer.

M. Farquhar was invited to read an article on the famine in India". The cause supposed to be owing in a great measure, to the rapid increase of population - Infanticide having been prohibited by the British authorities. Pleasant conversation, tea, and adjourned to "Leawood".

103

Leawood, 7th mo 30th 1874

A beautiful day, eleven members present and several guests. This is the first regular meeting at this place, for ten years, our hostess having recently been reinstated as a member of this society. After the minutes were read, we had a discussion as to whether "cucumbers sliced in vinegar are unwholesome, so many persons objecting in their use. Not knowing from actual experience, any ill effect from the use of them properly managed - we declared them to be "fit to eat!"

E. G. Thomas, read a letter to a sorrowing Mother, showing time to be the great consoler and "suffering the minister of grace."

L. G. Thomas, read an article on "the importance of little things and asked "if there is any advantage in adding water to blackberry wine "to benefit, it is better without water."

H. L. Hallowell, gave us "Tales of travel beyond the Missouri; by a Balt'r lady. Anna Hartshorne, read (for Alice Stabler a short sad piece of poetry "Reverie"

R. M. Thomas selected a letter from England by Lu Roberts treating of the curiosities and works of art in London.

104

M.L. Roberts gave us a sentiment, to prove that the endeavor to look on the bright side of things will produce the habit of cheerfulness and equanimity, and that this habit is the surest safeguard against the danger of sudden evils.

E. D. Bentley read an account of a newly discovered nation.

B. I. Lea, "A calculation of how much food is consumed, by one person in the course of a lifetime. Almost incredible.

A. Porter (by M. M. Miller) Never be cast down by trifles." Several of our company had no literary contributions to offer.

We enjoyed a walk in the well kept garden, then tea, and adjourned to "Sherwood" next month.

105

Sherwood, 8th mos 27th, 1874

A pleasant afternoon, several of our members being late - we did not come to order quite so early as usual. 13 members were present, & several guests. The minutes being read, 1st A.F. Gilpin, read five pieces of poetry by "Going west to die," and "The old man in the model church. 2 R.E. Gilpin, read a short account by Stanley of Livingstone's pure, good life, as a missionary in Africa. 3 E. D. Bentley, gave us "Noble sentiments" - containing good advice about little duties. 4 L.G. Thomas wished to be excused. 5 C.B. Scott read an article on "Music in Heaven" and gave a recipe for making "Corn rusk."

6 J. Porter, four good habits - all being necessary to form a perfect character.

7 R.M. Thomas, read a piece of poetry called "Afterward" a good reply to the "Reverie" of our last meeting. 8 H.J. Moore, a little article "Not knowing, trust the future to the Lord." also furnished a new recipe to make icing for cake."

9 S.H. Stone also requested to be excused from reading. 10 E.G. Thomas, selected an